jury duty meanie

I am all for serving.  I believe as citizens of New York we should.  But college students?  Really?

My son goes to school about 4 ½ hours from here.  230 miles. His first notice to serve was for April 30.  He was in school and got a postponement to June.  Then June comes along and my son gets a job as a camp counselor. He gets a postponement again, and chooses his December break, which starts around December 23.

Yesterday Alexander receives a summons for Jury Duty, for Grand Jury actually.  He is to appear on December 17.  On December 17 he will likely be taking his Money and Credit final.  His break is still a week away.

I call the jury gurus and speak to a nasty woman who is unsympathetic.  She tells me, “He’s already gotten two postponements; he has to serve.”   I try to imagine this conversation.  “Professor, I’m sorry but I’ll have to re-schedule my exam for after break.  I need to go down to New York City to serve on jury duty.”  Alexander had to provide a copy of his grandfather’s obituary to reschedule an exam a few weeks ago.  I doubt a summons for jury duty would be an acceptable reason to not take a final

So this nasty woman gets her supervisor.

I hear the supervisor, I’ll call Mrs. C, sigh before I even say a word.  I am sure she is tired of listening to people try and get out of Grand Jury Duty which is two weeks, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.  $40 a day.

I explain the situation.  Her boredom is apparent. 

Mrs. C: Your son has already postponed serving twice.  He cannot receive any more postponements.

Me:  So, what, he should drop out of school?

Mrs. C:  I am not saying that.

Me:  So what are you saying?

Mrs. C:  I don’t have to deal with you at all.  Have your son call me.

Me:  Listen, I’m sorry.  But his finals begin on December 17.  He can’t possibly come then. He could start when he gets home on December 23; how’s that?

Mrs. C:  That’s no good.  The sessions start on December 17 or January 7.

Me:  Well, he can’t start that late because he has to return to school before the second session would end.  What about the week of his spring break?

Mrs. C:  No, it has to be two weeks.

Me:  But then that would have to be this summer and he has no idea what he’ll be doing this summer.  He hopes to have a job.

Mrs. C:  Look, I’m trying to work with you.  We are very willing to accommodate students, but you are being difficult.  He has to serve.

Me:  Can’t he do regular jury?

Mrs. C:  NO!  He’s slated for Grand Jury.

Me:  Ok, late May.

Now I wonder, if he gets a good job and can’t go, then what?  Can he be arrested for being a student?  I didn’t dare ask Mrs. C; she’d probably tell me yes.

Addendum:

I speak to Alexander a few hours later.  I’m wrong.  He’ll be home until late January.  I call Mrs. C and actually reach her.  My son can now do Jury Duty the latter part of his winter break.  Mrs. C is very nice.  I am very grateful.  Alexander is very happy.  I probably should change the title of this post!