A Missouri woman is to face court this week for bringing her new born child to the courthouse for jury duty because she was breastfeeding.
Laura Trickle, of Lee’s Summit, delivered her daughter Axel in March and was breastfeeding when she was called for jury duty in August.
She asked to be exempt from appearing, as she was breastfeeding, but received notice that she must report to court to fullfill her civic obligation and serve jury duty, according to the Kansas City Star.
Trickle was told to either arrange for child care or bring somebody with her who could care for the child during jury selection.
On September 3, she appeared for jury duty with her child, but according to the ensuing court order, she ‘willfully and contemptuously appeared for jury service with her child and no one to care for the child’.
Trickle will now face Jackson County Presiding Judge Marco Roldan on Thursday at a hearing at the Jackson County Courthouse downtown.
Those who skip jury duty can be found in contempt of court and ordered to pay a fine of up to $500 and maybe even be arrested.
The mother insists she is not a criminal, saying ‘I’ve never even had a speeding ticket’.
Breastfeeding women are exempted from jury duty in 12 states.
New legislation introduced by a St. Joseph physician and state senator, Rob Schaaf, would exempt breastfeeding mothers from jury duty across Missouri.
Such an exemption would help encourage more Missouri mothers to breastfeed, said state Sen. Rob Schaaf of St. Joseph.
‘Babies who are breastfed generally are healthier, are less likely to have certain health problems and will cost the state less resources,’ said Schaaf to the Kansas City Star.
‘Jury duty is a roadblock to that.’
Missouri statutes allow for exemptions when a juror would face ‘an undue or extreme physical or financial hardship’.
Judge Roldan said he has on some occasions excused potential jurors who just had a death in the family, or teachers who were scheduled to give midterm exams.
While keeping some jurors, he often has sought to accommodate their needs, he said.
One juror who told Roldan he could not sit for extended periods received a seat in the back row of the jury box, where he was free to stand occasionally, even during testimony.
Some health advocates appreciate the accommodations the court makes.
‘Providing a room for mothers to breastfeed or pump is good, and we very much encourage that,’ said Anne Biswell of the Mother & Child Health Coalition, which promotes wellness in the Kansas City area.
Roldan, while declining to discuss Trickle’s specific case, said breastfeeding Jackson County mothers have the option of using occasional breaks during jury service to use a private room to pump milk and store it, feeding it to their children later.
They are also allowed to bring a caregiver to the courthouse to watch the child during trial proceedings and then take the child to a private room to breastfeed.
But Trickle said she has no child care options, and stays at home while Axel’s father works.
WTF. I thought if you were the sole childcare provider for a kid under something like 5 you could get a waiver from Jury Duty.
Also what does Jury duty pay? $30 a day if you have more than a 3 day trial? That's not going to cover the cost of this poor woman hiring someone to watch her baby
I agree that she should have gone with other options - bring someone, pump in the private rooms available, get a babysitter. I think she was just trying to get out of jury duty and thought this may be a way.
Did you have any idea how much it would cost to buy a pump pumping supplies and get a babysitter for a newborn for an indefinite period of time?
I agree that she should have gone with other options - bring someone, pump in the private rooms available, get a babysitter. I think she was just trying to get out of jury duty and thought this may be a way.
That seems like a lot of effort and expense for jury duty. Give the stupid waiver and call her again in six months.
I agree that she should have gone with other options - bring someone, pump in the private rooms available, get a babysitter. I think she was just trying to get out of jury duty and thought this may be a way.
I agree that she should have gone with other options - bring someone, pump in the private rooms available, get a babysitter. I think she was just trying to get out of jury duty and thought this may be a way.
It could go on for days, weeks, or months. How could she find someone for that if she doesn't have the resources?
And pumping never worked for me. I either had to breastfeed myself or forget it.
How does it work if you bring someone? They bring it to you and then you are allowed to leave and breastfeed no matter what is going on with the trial? Just wondering.
And I get mx's point, as well. But sadly, I'm not sure I'd be fine leaving a newborn for days on end in a court facility daycare either, it would really depend on the facility and the workers.
I do think exempting people who are the primary caregiver of children under 5 on face is pretty shitty because it means that I am unlikely to ever get a jury of my peers as a significant portion of the juror pool of my age/sex would be automatically eliminated.
Your definition of a "jury of peers" is far narrower than a court's.
Our courthouse has free childcare for anyone with business in the courthouse. Which I think is awesome. But then again when we discussed this on MM eons ago half of the people said they WOULD NEVER leave their child in the courthouse daycare facility because it is not safe. So I don't know.
I do think exempting people who are the primary caregiver of children under 5 on face is pretty shitty because it means that I am unlikely to ever get a jury of my peers as a significant portion of the juror pool of my age/sex would be automatically eliminated. That's why accommodations like space for breastfeeding/pumping and childcare in the courthouse are important. Jury duty isn't just a pain in the ass that you should do everything in your power to get out of. It determine the future course of people's lives--both the accused and the victims.
I see your point but what do you suggest they do? I don't have someone to watch my 2 year old if I was called to jury duty. Finding a day time babysitter isn't easy, and she would freak out if I took her to a court day care that she was unfamiliar with and I was unfamiliar with. Unless they paid me $15 an hour, which I could in turn pay a babysitter if I could find one, it just wouldn't be possible for me to do.
I agree that she should have gone with other options - bring someone, pump in the private rooms available, get a babysitter. I think she was just trying to get out of jury duty and thought this may be a way.
I can't remember the last time you posted something I even vaguely agreed with. You either have absolutely no compassion or empathy for other human beings or you are a shit-stirrer. Either way your posts make me livid.
I agree that she should have gone with other options - bring someone, pump in the private rooms available, get a babysitter. I think she was just trying to get out of jury duty and thought this may be a way.
yeah cause it's always that easy. Not to even mention the costs involved.
Post by Velar Fricative on Oct 21, 2013 6:53:28 GMT -5
It seems like most exemptions I hear about are for breastfeeding mothers. If childcare is a big issue, then I wish exemptions could be made for mothers who aren't breastfeeding too. Correct me if I'm wrong. And SAHDs should be afforded the same courtesy.
Also, why would a court daycare facility be any different than, say, a gym daycare? I don't hear as much negativity over the latter - is it just because of the duration of use?
It seems like most exemptions I hear about are for breastfeeding mothers. If childcare is a big issue, then I wish exemptions could be made for mothers who aren't breastfeeding too. Correct me if I'm wrong. And SAHDs should be afforded the same courtesy.
Also, why would a court daycare facility be any different than, say, a gym daycare? I don't hear as much negativity over the latter - is it just because of the duration of use?
I feel like most gym daycare's won't take children that young. I think most of them will only take children a year or older. but I also think the duration is a big deal. I would leave a child for one hour but not for eight or nine.
It seems like most exemptions I hear about are for breastfeeding mothers. If childcare is a big issue, then I wish exemptions could be made for mothers who aren't breastfeeding too. Correct me if I'm wrong. And SAHDs should be afforded the same courtesy.
Also, why would a court daycare facility be any different than, say, a gym daycare? I don't hear as much negativity over the latter - is it just because of the duration of use?
I feel like most gym daycare's won't take children that young. I think most of them will only take children a year or older. but I also think the duration is a big deal. I would leave a child for one hour but not for eight or nine.
In my county you are exempt if you are the primary caregiver of kids 6 and under. Breast feeding makes no difference. And I agree in a gym you leave your kids for an hour, not all day.
It seems like most exemptions I hear about are for breastfeeding mothers. If childcare is a big issue, then I wish exemptions could be made for mothers who aren't breastfeeding too. Correct me if I'm wrong. And SAHDs should be afforded the same courtesy.
Also, why would a court daycare facility be any different than, say, a gym daycare? I don't hear as much negativity over the latter - is it just because of the duration of use?
I feel like most gym daycare's won't take children that young. I think most of them will only take children a year or older. but I also think the duration is a big deal. I would leave a child for one hour but not for eight or nine.
I do understand velar's point. People leave newborns in daycare for full workdays, so it's not as though this arrangement is unusual. I do think, however, the situation is different for a woman who BFs. She either needs regular access to her child, sometimes on a moment's notice, throughout the day to nurse, or has to spring for an expensive pump* and will need breaks throughout the day to pump. Frankly, I don't think it's far-fetched argue that having someone like that on jury Could actually be disruptive to everyone else involved, and it's better all around not to have such a person serve.
*ETA: no one should have to spend hundreds of dollars OOP to accommodate a courthouse, regardless of how wealthy they are. There are plenty of other people who can serve.
I have small kids and I would gladly serve jury duty. But then, I have childcare options. If I didn't, it would be enormously expensive, inconvenient or just plain impossible. So I understand the exemption.
I feel like most gym daycare's won't take children that young. I think most of them will only take children a year or older. but I also think the duration is a big deal. I would leave a child for one hour but not for eight or nine.
I do understand velar's point. People leave newborns in daycare for full workdays, so it's not as though this arrangement is unusual. I do think, however, the situation is different for a woman who BFs. She either needs regular access to her child, sometimes on a moment's notice, throughout the day to nurse, or has to spring for an expensive pump and will need breaks throughout the day to pump. Frankly, I don't think it's far-fetched argue that having someone like that on jury Could actually be disruptive to everyone else involved, and it's better all around not to have such a person serve.
True but you get to choose your own daycare when you do that, and make sure you're comfortable with the facility and employees. The court daycare is take it or leave it.
I do understand velar's point. People leave newborns in daycare for full workdays, so it's not as though this arrangement is unusual. I do think, however, the situation is different for a woman who BFs. She either needs regular access to her child, sometimes on a moment's notice, throughout the day to nurse, or has to spring for an expensive pump and will need breaks throughout the day to pump. Frankly, I don't think it's far-fetched argue that having someone like that on jury Could actually be disruptive to everyone else involved, and it's better all around not to have such a person serve.
True but you get to choose your own daycare when you do that, and make sure you're comfortable with the facility and employees. The court daycare is take it or leave it.
Don't get me wrong I think it's great that they have a court daycare facility but I can understand why some people might not be comfortable leaving the kids there.
It seems like most exemptions I hear about are for breastfeeding mothers. If childcare is a big issue, then I wish exemptions could be made for mothers who aren't breastfeeding too. Correct me if I'm wrong. And SAHDs should be afforded the same courtesy.
Also, why would a court daycare facility be any different than, say, a gym daycare? I don't hear as much negativity over the latter - is it just because of the duration of use?
For me it would be because it's all day long for days on end. And you have no control over it. If I don't like the gym daycare, then I don't go. In this case, I would have no choice.
True but you get to choose your own daycare when you do that, and make sure you're comfortable with the facility and employees. The court daycare is take it or leave it.
It's also temporary.
So? If someone physically hurts my kids--or worse--it doesn't matter if the care arrangement is temporary.
So? If someone physically hurts my kids--or worse--it doesn't matter if the care arrangement is temporary.
I'm mobile and miss my physical keyboard!
How have we made the leap from "this isn't my preferred daycare" to "my child will be hurt?" Moreover, children are harmed in "good" daycare on a regular basis. Why are we assuming a courthouse day care is run by the unqualified dregs of society?
You can also ease into daycare situations that you choose (spend an hour with the kid at the center before the transition, then drop him or her off for a couple hours before doing a whole day, etc.). And then too, the daycare workers can pretty easily call you out of the gym if the child is fussing too much. I'm not sure how you could do that if you were called up for jury duty.
So? If someone physically hurts my kids--or worse--it doesn't matter if the care arrangement is temporary.
I'm mobile and miss my physical keyboard!
How have we made the leap from "this isn't my preferred daycare" to "my child will be hurt?" Moreover, children are harmed in "good" daycare on a regular basis. Why are we assuming a courthouse day care is run by the unqualified dregs of society?
I didn't say they definitely would. But like a PP said above, if I don't have other care options, I'm not given the choice to vet a court daycare to make sure I'm comfortable with it. I don't see why "it's temporary" somehow makes it all ok.
I'm not saying I agree with this, but getting people to perform jury duty is getting harder and harder. *Everyone* has some sort of hardship that makes it difficult to perform their civic duties. Jobs, kids, etc. We should just scrap the whole system and try something else. (said somewhat tic, somewhat not)
Post by penguingrrl on Oct 21, 2013 7:43:06 GMT -5
That poor woman. I lived in NY, where being a SAHP was not an automatic exemption. We had to prove that finding alternate childcare would constitute a significant financial hardship. But I remember thinking at that point how difficult it would be to find childcare for jury duty. It's not just that you need to serve. You need someone for $15+ per hour (which the court isn't paying) who is available for f/t working hours plus commute. But is available for maybe a day, maybe a month, maybe months depending on if you get put on a trial and, if so, how long that trial takes.
Daycare at the court house alleviates the issues surrounding finding someone. I personally would be fine with leaving my kid there and would gladly do so to perform my civic duty. I'm more worried now about it, though, because making after school arrangements would be difficult (after care in our district is expensive and you need to have signed up well in advance and pay by the month). I would imagine that within the courthouse itself the center would be registered by the state, have proper oversight and perfectly safe. It might not be the ideal setting and might not provide the care I would prefer, but it would be clean and safe, which works for me for a short term situation.
How have we made the leap from "this isn't my preferred daycare" to "my child will be hurt?" Moreover, children are harmed in "good" daycare on a regular basis. Why are we assuming a courthouse day care is run by the unqualified dregs of society?
I didn't say they definitely would. But like a PP said above, if I don't have other care options, I'm not given the choice to vet a court daycare to make sure I'm comfortable with it. I don't see why "it's temporary" somehow makes it all ok.
I'm mobile and miss my physical keyboard!
I will be honest and say that the whole idea of being able to thoroughly vet day care providers and choose one that makes you completely comfortable is a privileged position in which to find oneself. I can't get on board with tillie's ridiculousness upthread, but the gnashing of teeth over putting a non-nursing child in courthouse day care for a day or two is something we are simply not going to agree upon.
Would you leave youe baby with a sitter at a wedding reception, you had never met before? This is the same thing imo
Personally, no. Moreso because DS is terrified of strangers and would be a screaming, crying mess the whole time. It took nearly two months for him to adjust to his regular daycare.
Would you leave youe baby with a sitter at a wedding reception, you had never met before? This is the same thing imo
^o) No it's not. The court daycare's are vetted. Usually through a service that performs a background check and certifies them. We have a similar service at work we can use at the grand total of $4 an hour, if needed.
A random sitter at the wedding reception may or may not be. But, to answer your question the manner it was asked, I would use the sitter at a wedding reception.
True but you get to choose your own daycare when you do that, and make sure you're comfortable with the facility and employees. The court daycare is take it or leave it.
It's also temporary.
True. I'm not saying I, personally, definitely wouldn't leave my child - it totally depends on what that specific place is like. But I could understand why some people might be uncomfortable with it, especially if it's for 9 hours a day, for a whole week, and especially if you're talking about an infant. I'm not even talking about horrific abuse - just something as simple as leaving a baby in a dirty diaper for nine hours or not feeding the baby all day.
Maybe the facility in question is great - we're just talking hypotheticals since I don't know that any of us actually know what the specific daycares are really like.
Seems like it would make a lot more sense to just grant primary caregivers waivers and call them back in a year or two.