Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Teowyn on December 31, 2012 at 1:36pm

Last time I was on jury duty was after the diabetes. I had no trouble getting into and out of the courthouse (this was pre-pump)--I wasn't called up (they didn't even question me) but the judge made it clear that they would make any reasonable accomodation--and he specifically mentioned diabetes. I tested in the courtroom (while we listened to the other prospective jurors being questioned for most of the day) and ate glucose tabs, without anyone having an issue. The jury that I was closest to being on was sequestered, but I don't believe that would have been a problem either.

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Permalink Reply by Brunetta on January 1, 2013 at 7:19pm

I have been called four times for jury duty since I have lived in Columbus, Ohio. I was able to delay one jury duty two week tour of duty , to the summer because I work with special needs kids during the school year, and my letter from my supervisor to the courts noted that it would be very difficult to get a sub for them on a temporary basis. However, it depends on the judge. My close friend, also a speech pathologist, HAd to serve on a murder trial for 2 weeks, and nothing worked, no delay of serving, no note from superviser worked. She HAD to serve. I was excused one time because I was so very sick from undiagnosed pernicious anemia, so weak and shaky and mentally exhausted, that I burst into tearss the first day, because I was shivering from the AC; and they saw my distress. I called my endo and he wrote an excuse, saying I was too sick at the time to serve, but not particularly because I was a diabetic.
I was not on the pump during any the time I served nor the times that I was excused. I was on MDI. I guess I would serve now, but using the pump with a possibly noisy potentialif the /cgm alarmsl , my arm and back pain from a cervical herniated disc may make it to distrressfu at the current time.
However the two times I did serve, I learned a lot about our juicial systems and I felt honored to serve. No regrets at all that I did it.

God bless,
Brunetta

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on January 2, 2013 at 1:13pm

I went in for jury duty about a year ago,and while I didn't get picked for the case (it was a malpractice case and I work in the medical field and knew the parties involved), I didn't have any issues getting into the courthouse and jury questioning room with my pump, meter, CGM, etc. Just as I wouldn't want to be restricted from driving with my (or do anything else because of my D) D, I don't want to use it as an excuse as to not serve on a jury as long as accommodations are made for testing and treating lows, etc.

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Permalink Reply by jbowler on January 2, 2013 at 8:53pm

Don't worry about it. I'm guessing you are in the US (you used the word "endo"); you are not a diabetic by choice and you have every right to be on a jury. The court needs to accomodate you. Judges really do understand this.

The easiest thing is to ask the judge; simply say that you are a diabetic and may need to check your blood sugar, several times (possible many times) during the trial. You may also need to eat some form of food, but that can be accomodated. IRC the last time I was called the court recommended (in general - not specifically to diabetics) not making loud sucking noises.

I've never ended up serving. It's off topic to try to explain why one of the parties to the case didn't want me (the judge had no problem.) Still my impression is that a US court is nothing to be avoided; the courts are accomodating to the needs of jurors.

John Bowler

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Permalink Reply by Rae on January 3, 2013 at 4:31pm

Well, I called the jury office and they did not know if I could bring food or drinks(wow)or be able to take my insulin shot into the actual courtroom if I got called, BUT that I could have food, drinks & my insulin in the jury assembly room. They were not a whole lot of help.

So I tried emailing them and they responded today saying food and drinks were NOT allowed in the courtroom. They said I cannot take my insulin into a courtroom either unless I have a note from my doctor for that. What do they think I am going to do with skittles & an insulin pen, really.

I guess I will be calling my doctors office in the morning.

Thank you all for your replies and stories & suggestions!

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Permalink Reply by acidrock23 on January 3, 2013 at 5:36pm

I'd tell them "Look Sherlock, it's not 'food', it's MEDICINE!" That sort of dullness gets me pretty wound up. I hope I get called one of these days...

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Permalink Reply by Zoe on January 3, 2013 at 5:51pm

to be honest, I really wouldn't expect them to ok "food and drink" in the courtroom or insulin shots in the courtroom.That would be pretty distracting. I taught in a classroom which didn't allow food and drinks and so told my students that I might have to test and eat a glucose tablet or two if I was low, so they would know I wasn't "eating". From what those who have done it say there are ample breaks to eat, take insulin, go to the bathroom, etc. That's why I figured if I had to appear I'd tell them my needs and hope I would be dismissed on that basis.

I know I sound like I'm switching sides in this discussion, but to a certain extent I think we have to accommodate ourselves to the world, not expect it to accommodate to us. Because that won't happen!

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Permalink Reply by christy on January 3, 2013 at 6:10pm

I absolutely agree. I mean honestly I'm not saying the courts shouldn't be accommodating, but court is NOTHING like it is on TV shows, OMG our case had so many breaks while the two sides when up and conferenced with the judge. And while I hope none of us ever find ourselves standing before a jury, but you have to ask yourself if you WERE, would u want that person eating, and poking and all sorts of stuff while important evidence that could effect your future was being presented. I mean I think it is a personal decision, and if one strongly feels like their diabetes isn't stable enough, or there blood sugars swing kinda erratically then yes by all means, explain to the judge why you don't feel fit to serve. But it honestly for me wasn't a big deal, there were plenty of breaks in the jury room where you can test, go pee, eat and drink, etc. We could bring outside food in to the courthouse, although our letters said we couldn't we just couldn't be eating and drinking while the case was being presented. I agree, there are times we have to accomodate ourselves to the world, and not expect it to accomodate us.

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Permalink Reply by acidrock23 on January 3, 2013 at 7:48pm

I don't think bringing food in and eating it is unreasonable. We can try to make as minimal an impact on the proceedings as possible but I don't think testing, eating or bolusing are "accomodations" in that they can be necessary. Some people with diabetes need all 3 of these things sometimes and that shouldn't be a barrier to participating in civil society.

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Permalink Reply by Rae on January 3, 2013 at 8:35pm

Yes I agree we do have to accommodate ourselves to the world instead of the other way around. I've never expected any special treatment and have never used my diabetes as a way to get anything. I like to fly under the radar in most cases and many people don't even notice I have diabetes. However I also agree with acidrock. Some things are necessary to me. I can't keep quiet about my diabetes in this case and will have to make waves if I have to. Not saying I am going to break out the Twinkies if my sugar gets low haha :) but some kind of snack I would think should be acceptable. (I'll just wear some pants with really big pockets. :) I'm prob making a mountain out of a mole hill, along with repeating myself, but I do that when I am stressed. I really do appreciate all your help and discussions. It does really help, thank you!!!

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Permalink Reply by DianaS on January 3, 2013 at 6:08pm

I'd get a note from your Dr stating that it is medically necessary for you to have your medication, meter, and food/drink as needed to treat hypoglycemia on your person at all times. Not sequestered in the jury room. That seems ridiculous.

It's been a long time since I was on jury duty and I was only in a court room for 3 days during jury selection for a murder trial but I was allowed to keep all of that stuff with me.

They will probably have you signal/request for a recess if you need to test or treat unexpectedly but my guess is they will make the accommodations if they are tight for jurors. If they have enough then they will excuse you if the necessary accommodations are a bother to them. I did not need to interrupt the court proceedings the whole time I was there, it all worked out fine.

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Permalink Reply by jbowler on January 3, 2013 at 8:26pm

Thankyou, that is a great summary of what I think too.

John Bowler

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