Wednesday afternoon, I got a notice for jury duty.
That's dirty pool! A year or two ago, I got a notice for jury duty. My doctor nurse practitioner wrote me a note excusing me, for severe knee arthritis, because no way could I walk from the parking area to the third floor of the courthouse to sit for hours during jury selection. The bathroom they let you use there is behind the judge, in a hallway, and has a STEP to get up into the room. It's a one-seater. People could only go during breaks, and stood in line a long time. They had an elevator to the third floor, but it was broken. I assume there were restrooms on the main floor that might have had handicap stalls, but once in the courtroom, whether for jury selection or a trial, nobody was allowed to leave that courtroom. The armed deputies at the door made that clear.
I don't know if the set-up is the same these days. But I DO know that I can barely hobble around the casino with a cane, sitting down for short intervals, taking it a few steps at a time. I would be lame after sitting hours on those church pews in the courtroom, then trying to stand and walk. Not to mention waiting in line for an inaccessible bathroom. Or the major problem of getting from T-Hoe to courthouse.
Now I have to go online and fill out the jury questionnaire within 10 days, so I don't get arrested. No way can I get an appointment with my NP, who is booked up until my next scheduled appointment in December. My jury duty is supposed to start September 1. I will try to call his office to request another excuse note. If that doesn't work, I'll try a message on that stupid YourChart thingy they try to foist on you rather than human contact.
Hick says he can get me an appointment with HIS NP, who only works on Tuesdays, and he says all I have to do is switch doctors NPs. I don't want to go through a change like that, just for a note.
The Universe does not make Val's life easy...
Good luck on getting the note!
ReplyDeleteI've been working on it!
DeleteCan't you just tell the jury selection people yourself with a phone call?
ReplyDeleteNo. Who would have thought the courts could be so distrusting of people? Unless they're older than Val! Here's a quote from my letter.
Delete"Missouri law provides those citizens 75 years of age or older the option of serving as a juror. Anyone over the age of 75 years who wishes to be excused will be granted that option by calling the Office of the Circuit Clerk and requesting to be excused. This is not an automatic process. you must call if you wish to be excused."
"If you have a physical or mental disability that may prevent you from performing your duties as a juror, please provide us with a doctor's excuse."
The online form was more strict in the wording, noting that you cannot be excused without a note from a doctor, and have to upload it or mail it.