What is Family Friendly Jury Duty?  (Continued)

Family Friendly Jury duty Legislation WOULD:

• Allow parents caring for a young child full-time and those who care for an elderly or disabled relative the OPTION to DEFER their jury duty UNTIL:

  • The child is old enough to handle a parent’s absence.

  • A person is no longer the sole caregiver of a disabled or elderly family member.

• Acknowledge that times have changed and backup childcare/senior care is usually not available from relatives (live too far away) or neighbors (no one is home during the day). Children and family members are endangered by last-minute, untested, substitute care arrangements.

• Lessen the burden on the Courts for the juror selection process.

• Serve the best interests of the Court, since frantic parents and family caretakers do NOT make good jurors!

• Be inexpensive to enact.

• Demonstrate that the particular state involved is progressive and cares about its most vulnerable citizens.

Family Friendly Jury duty Legislation WOULD:

• NOT Prevent parents from serving on a jury, if they so desire.

  • Those who can and want to serve may do so.
     

• NOT Remove all young mothers from the jury pool.

  • This segment of the jury pool would still exist via:

    • Young mothers in the work force

    • At-home mothers who choose to serve

    • Young mothers with older children
       

• NOT Automatically remove qualified people from the jury pool.

  • Juror must request deferment in writing

  • Juror is not excused permanently
     

• NOT  Provide a “Blanket Exemption” from Jury Duty

  • Juror receives a temporary, optional postponement of service, upon request only

Click here to view “Model” Family Friendly Jury Duty legislation