So I got summoned for jury duty late last year, but delayed it six months to mid-july, as I had a trip. Unfortunately, the new date interferes with a class I want to take, but haven’t yet signed up for. So I have two questions:
I live in California, if that matters.
Back when I was in school it was a valid excuse. I was not in California but the logic is the same.
You should just show up and fill out the request for postponement. When I went in for jury duty a few weeks ago (California) the judge specifically said that attending classes is a valid excuse.
Why not call up the clerk at whichever court you would be called to serve? I’ve had to schedule calls in between out-of-town jobs, and the clerks have always been helpful.
Yes, call first. You may be able to just work it out over the phone. Most courts, IME, won’t want to penalize someone who’s trying to get an education. Better an informed citizenry than the alternative.
I’ve had some experience dealing with jury duty scheduling in California, including handling getting called multiple times in a year in two different counties, etc.
Call the county clerk’s office, and explain what has happened and what you want to do. If they tell you “no”, then call again later, until you speak to someone who feels like being helpful. They almost certainly can do that sort of thing, but will only do so if you’re polite, etc. I experienced the full range of helpfulness from power-mad civil servant who kept interrupting me to threaten me with jail time for trying to shirk my duty (:rolleyes:), to the nice person who was finally able to help me. Once you get someone who’s helpful, take good notes and then registered mail a letter to the judge (or the clerk, I forget who you talk to about changing jury duty) including the notes of the conversation you had.
In Harris County, Texas, we can reset our Jury Duty dates online. More than once.
Of course, it varies in other jurisdictions.