Jury duty

[HeronNS]

A couple of years ago I would have been excited to get this call to jury duty in the mail, but today I am horrified. I don't think I have the stamina or the ability to deal with whatever stress the trial might cause - no idea what trial I am being called for. Not quite old enough to get out of it without a doctor's certificate. What should I do?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

You can apply for an exemption through ill health, your notice of jury service should tell you how, or just look up jury service exemption on the web. You will need your GP to give you a certificate agreeing you are unfit to serve. He should do this free of charge.

[HeronNS in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you. I just don't want to be a wimp. I have been feeling so much better, but I know it is fragile - a few hours of overdoing it and I am flat! I have a doctor's appointment next week anyway, as a follow up to a bone density scan, so I am already kind of stressed out about that as I didn't expect to hear from her if everything was all right.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to HeronNS]

Heron, you shouldn't have a problem being excused jury service. Years ago, when going through a bad patch with spondylolisthesis where I was unable to sit for long without getting up and moving around, I received a letter calling for me to attend jury service. I rang the contact number on the letter, explaining my predicament and was excused on the spot with no confirmation being requested - I guess they didn't fancy having a member of the jury going walkabouts every five minutes!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Call them and explain - as the others have said, in the UK at least you can be exempt on health grounds. Sometimes just telling them you are on longterm prednisolone is enough as that is associated with poor concentration and mood swings.

[Whittlesey]

Hi Heron, yes, in the U.S. , any major illness, along with a desire not to serve, based on the illness is enough to get you excused. And trials are stressful. Both GCA and PMR are major illnesses. Assuming it is similar in U.K. ----- similar types of law. Good luck.

[HeronNS]

With the package is a doctor's form, which my GP can fill in, for a fee (you Brits don't really know how good you have it, do you?), so that's what I'll do. I do feel mixed about this as I really wanted to serve on a jury when I was younger, but now I know I'd be useless within two hours!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to HeronNS]

Don't have any mixed feelings. As others have said, it's a very stressful business, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to make the wrong decision on the verdict, because you weren't able to concentrate properly - and that's what matters!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HeronNS]

Even in England often we'd also have to pay for a form being filled in by a GP as it counts as a private service so they are entitled to charge. Are you in Scotland scotchlassie? Totally different kettle of fish there.

It also does depend on how kind the person you speak to at the jury service end is feeling. Some will take your word for it, others demand the full paperwork.

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Hi i olso received letter re jury duty a week ago.

My Doctor gave me a letter which i sent to court,received reply today saying i am excused from jury duty.I didnt have to pay a fee for Drs letter.