May 2, 2006
NEWSJury duty: Skipping out on civic duty
Jury duty, just those two words alone causes unwelcome reaction from many people.
“I said that I suffer from irritable bowel syndrome,” Nick Kaiser an MCC student said. “That’s what I used to get out of my last jury summons.”
“It actually worked, surprisingly. Honestly though, I don’t have IBS, but I think the person who I had to report to at the court felt so bad for me after I told her that stress usually causes it,” Kaiser said.
Kaiser is just one of thousands of MCC students who have and will receive a jury summons this year. After receiving a summons in the mail, he completed the questionnaire asking about his civil status, ability to speak English, and health along with other inquiries.
While people are required to answer these questions truthfully to their best knowledge, there are many people who will do their best to answer these questions in hopes of getting out of jury selection.
Dr. Brian Dille, a political science professor at MCC, explained why most people are not excited over jury duty.
“Serving as a juror is an important and serious responsibility. Having to take time away from school, work and social activities is not something that most people look forward to,” Dille said.
“It’s also expensive, as it takes away from your work day and you have to travel to a different place,” Dille further explained.
While most people scheme to think of valid sounding reasons to be excused, there are official ways to be exempt.
According to www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov, no one except those over age 75 years old may be excused. However, there are a few instances in which a person’s chance may be increased to dodge jury duty.
Other valid excuses that will be considered in exemption may include, but is not limited to: being a volunteer firefighter, rescue squad member or ambulance crew member. Also being the sole caregiver of young children or elderly adults if your absence will put them at risk. Another is if you do not have a car and are unable to use public transportation.
While there is no guarantee to get out of jury duty, there is always the process of postponement.
Postponement is when a person may call or write ahead of time stating that they are a student, have work conflicts, or for health reasons. Usually deferments are postponed until three months later.
However, Dr. Dille explained while the process of jury duty selection is often long and boring, he noted the importance of this civil duty.
“I think it’s a novel experience. The community depends on the justice system. As a society, we must do our part,” Dille said.
“It’s also interesting to be a in a different place and experience,” Dille said.
Madeleine Christman, a nursing student at MCC, said she tried some not-so-orthodox excuses in the past.
“I got a jury summons over the summer once. I didn’t want to go but my mom made me,” Christman said. “When I got to the courthouse I told the clerk that I was racist but she didn’t buy it. I had to sit in for the whole day only not to be selected anyways.”
“Just go. Sometimes it takes more effort to think of legitimate excuses,” Christman said.