Jury Duty!!! What a horror. Having 3 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder is bad enough. My son just had surgery and needs further surgery. What a time to be called for performing "my duty". My children are considered "adults" or age of majority, 18 and over, but the legal system does not take into consideration their developmental age. Do the courts understand all this?
This is the 3rd time I am called and it is so overwhelming when you have more important things that have to be done for your children. I have no time for myself whatsoever. Endless doctor visits, school meetings, behavior modification, post-school programs, and being a mother to perpetual children can be exhausting. Since I am a "Single Mother" for many, many years now, it can be very depressing. The weight of the world is on your shoulders.
I am in New Jersey and I assume because the crime is so high here now, there is a major need for continuous jurors. Many jurors are excused or disqualified, so that leaves a small pool of potential jurors. Out of desperation, they allow shoplifters and those accused of a crime, but not yet convicted, to participate, as per "NJ Court Online".
But, how on earth do I neglect my developmentally disabled children to go do my "duty"??? If parents with "normal" children have a hard time finding babysitters, lots of luck finding one qualified for Autism, Anxiety, and especially one with a seizure disorder.
There is absolutely no category for "ME" on the list of "Excuses". I send them large envelopes of information and reports to try to get excused. I write to the Judge. This time was the worst for me because it came right at the time of my son's surgery.
How can I medicate him and send him on the school van if I have to leave before him and leave him unattended?
How can I return home after him and not be there to know if my daughter, who is in her own world, let him in?
What if something happens to him during the day? I am the responsible party. Does DDD kick in?
One of my sons is placed in a group home and I am legal guardian; how do they contact me if something happens to him? He is severely disabled.
Would they interrupt the trial if something happens?
My worries are based on the fact that I have no luck whatsoever. When it rains, it pours, everything at once.....that is my luck, always has been.
Does the court understand any of this, or what?
I got excused for now, again, but for how long? Should I worry from now for next time? Too many years dealing with this makes you feel hopeless, especially because there are so many ignorant people out there regardless of their education.
It is getting very hard to live in New Jersey, especially because there is a aura of emotionlessness. There are more cold and heartless people taking over. It is very sad and very uncomfortable to comprehend it. I wish I could move out, but my kids are waiting for services here. They were born here, got sick here, and deserve what little they get.
UPDATE: Don't you know I received another Jury Duty notice just months after this last one. This time my 2nd son who is severely disabled just had a very serious gland surgery coming within a 1/4 inch of a tracheotomy in which I was devastated. How could it be such a coincidence to be called again at such a devastating time? This time I was able to get DDD to write letters about my situation and need for availability of my children as a priority.
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