Breastfeeding Woman in Contempt of Court for delaying Jury Duty
By Danell Swim
February 29, 2008
A Carroll County mother faces a possible $150 fine or jail time on Tuesday for failing to show up for jury duty in October because she was breast-feeding her infant son.Elizabeth Jett of Eldersburg said she tried to get out of jury service until next summer, but Carroll County court officials would not extend the time.
Then she was held in contempt by Judge Barry Hughes in January.
Jett said they she wrote a letter asking for postponement of service. “I don’t have the money to pay for child care,” Jett said. She is a former teacher and stay-at-home mother with a 5-year-old son, Julian, and an infant son, Henry. Then in January, she was called in to “talk” to the judge, but found herself at a hearing at which Hughes held her in contempt.
Manuel said Jett had not responded to the initial letters about jury duty, and after having her written request denied, did not show up for duty Oct. 9.
At that point, Jett called and sought to be excused that day, but her request was denied.
“I do not excuse liberally,” Manuel said. She said Jett was offered dates in January, but the woman said that was not enough time to find day care. Then she was held in contempt of court.
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This is a horrible use of our justice system. There should be laws to protect families, and ways to avoid this kind of thing from happening. I feel so sorry for this mother, and so angry for the judges involved in this story. I hope some big shot lawyer reads this and takes this case and challenges it.