My boss is trying to get me to skip out on jury duty. What should I do?

[Spaldeen]

I got my jury notice today... I'm juror #104 and am to report at 830Am on November 17. My boss is trying to get me to skip out. I've went before but I've never been selected for duty, but it's still going to eat up my whole day more than likely.

My boss is trying to get me to skip out. I don't think he really needs me on that day. But I think he's worried I'll be selected and lose me for an unknown amount of time. I'm single, so nobody is relying on me (unless you count fur babies, of which I have several!), so that isn't a problem there. I know he's going to approach me about it again tomorrow since I'll be in a good mood being Friday and all, hoping I'll agree.

I need this job right now, and I need to stay in my bosses good graces. What are my options here?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Your boss is out of line IMHO.

You've been called and you should report.

Unless you can get an postponement. Try calling the court and find out if you can postpone your service. It's worth a try.

[Spaldeen]

3. I have postponed before

But not on this jury duty call. I ended up getting called back in again a couple of months afterwards, which if this happened would be an even worse time for me to be gone. I don't want to get my boss in trouble as he has been fair with everything and seems like a good person. That's why I was hoping for something other than reporting him!

[orleans]

13. then just go. that's what i'm going to do.

if the postponement would effect your boss later on, then include that in the "i can't get out of it" line or tell him they'll only make you come when you're really busy at the company.

tell him usually most jurors are excused the same day so it's probably only gonna be one day lost.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. You can't just "skip out" on jury duty.

The exact details vary from state to state, but in all states you are expected to show up for jury duty, and your employer is required to let you do it. Once you get there you might be able to get yourself excused (usually for some sort of personal hardship). If you don't show up you can be held in contempt of court. An employer can't prevent an employee from serving on a jury, and he can't punish or harass you for serving. Call the court clerk (the number is probably on the summons) to get the details and the requirements in your jurisdiction.

[Arkansas Granny]

4. I don't think you can just skip out on jury duty. You might be excused if you have a valid excuse,

but I believe it is a court summons that can't be ignored.

[Spaldeen]

6. I was only excused from jury duty one time

But I'm embarrassed to say why here. I have no intention of getting out of this one if I can help it!

[easychoice]

5. Can your boss spell Bench Warrant AND Jail?!?

Tell him your cousin Vinny says you gotta go...

[MH1]

7. By chance, does your company have an "Ethics Hotline" or some such?

If so I would call it.

Well, first I would make damn sure that my boss meant this. I might try explaining to him that it's illegal for you to fail to show, unless you call and get excused.

I've never actually called the hotline at my company, but have thought about it a couple times. Those times were borderline cases. Your situation is NOT borderline. If your boss really means it, he needs to be reported if you have any avenue to do so.

[Spaldeen]

8. its a small company

No hotline. I wish we had one though so I could report annonymously

[RandySF]

10. Just tell the court.

They will straighten things out very quickly.

[RandySF]

9. Stand your ground. Your boss can't do jack shit about it.

Pressuring or threatening you out of doing your jury duty is a crime. He can go to jail just as you can go to jail for skipping your just duty.

[GoCubsGo]

11. See if you can get a deferment.

Some courts will allow you to come on another date.

[mackerel]

12. Just like GoCubsGo said tell your boss you will ask for a deferment.

Tell him you don't mean him any disrespect but in all fairness you have to comply with the courts. You might want to respectfully add that you would expect him to do the same in a similar situation. After all you may be sitting on his jury one day

[Manifestor_of_Light]

14. This happened in Houston.

A boss swore he couldn't get along without his employee there. The employee went to jury duty and told the judge about it, and the judge sent sheriff's deputies to go get the boss, brought him before the bench, and held the boss in contempt of court. Put him in prison until he changed his tune.

GO. I say this as a former court reporter for twenty years and a person with a law degree.

DO NOT SKIP OUT ON JURY DUTY and PLEASE TELL THE JUDGE ABOUT IT! They frown on bosses like that who refuse to let their employees fulfill their civic duties.

[Jenoch]

15. Unless you call and get a deferrment,

you have to show up. I don't know anyone who has been cakled for jury duty for except my mother who recieved a postcard requesting her service. She was 76 years old with dementia, she was not required to report.

My father has the perfect way to get out of jury duty. Just tell the judge "if the accused were not guilty, they would not have been arrested."

Personally, I would loke to serve on a jury on a criminal trial if it lasted less than a week. I cannot think of a situation in which I would choose to serve on a long trial, either criminal or civil, but how would you know how long it would last?

I remember many years ago an employee of my father's was called for jury duty. The defense attorney questioned her about her relationship to the case. She was asked if she knew anyone involved (small town) and she replied that she did not know anyone involved. The attorney asked if she knew the arresting officer (it was my brother). She replied that she did not know him just because shecworked for his father, which was true.

[WinkyDink]

16. Does your boss often break the law?

[Le Taz Hot]

17. I don't know the laws in your town

but in my town if you don't show up for Jury Duty and don't call to make arrangements, it results in a Bench Warrant and the nice policemen will come to your house and provide transportation for you downtown so you can explain to the judge why you blew off jury duty. Most towns are serious about this. Your boss needs to get apprised of the laws.

[magical thyme]

18. how hard is he trying?

If he just mentioned it, tell him if you get a postponement, it might come at a really busy time. Best to just get it over with than risk that. Odds are even that even if you do get stuck on a case, it will be a small one.

[Sweet Freedom]

19. Tell him if he wants you to skip jury duty,

then he should call the court himself and explain the reason why he needs you so badly at work. Perhaps that will take care of the problem.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

20. During Voir Dire, you should loudly proclaim your support of the death penalty...

...for simple traffic offenses -- especially failing to signal and texting while driving.

e.t.a. :

Tell the judge you'll be great for jury duty because you can just look at people and tell if they're guilty.

Also, express that, rather than listen to evidence or testimony, you will use "The Force" to determine what really happened.

Ask if it's OK to cross check facts and evidence presented in court against news outlets by means of using your smartphone.

Ask the court if the court can be limited to morning sessions, as you are worthless after your two-martini lunch.

Ask if you can bring your laptop to play HALO during the slow moments of the proceedings.

Ask "Open carry is OK in your courtroom, yes? After all, it's a constitutional right."

During Voir Dire, answer the attorneys in the voices of all seven of your multiple personalities.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

21. Tell him that it's illegal to stop you and you're going to jury duty.

And if he fires you or otherwise punishes you, sue him. You should have rights under your state's whistleblower protection laws. And refusing to abide in an illegal course of action should place you in the law's protection.