After my discovery that California law allows breastfeeding mothers to postpone jury duty for more than a year, I called the court again to see if I could reschedule for this winter. Since I had been given wrong information before, I was prepared to cite the law and demand my rights. Instead, when I explained the reason for my call, the woman on the phone said pleasantly, “that’s right, we can postpone your service until mid-March.”
March? That’s great! But wait, that’s my husband’s spring break. Our only chance to travel for months. Can’t I come in January or February? No, they have no openings until March. It’s either serve now and pump, or skip vacation.
So I reported to jury duty today. And I am happy to say that the accommodations for my need to pump have exceeded my expectations!
The security guard paused as my breast pump rolled through the X-ray machine, but after calling another guard over to look at it, they let it through without a comment and without opening it. I was assigned to a juror assembly room on the 11th floor, while the pumping room was on the 5th floor. They immediately transferred me down to the 5th floor for easier access to the room. The room itself was really not very impressive: small, cold, and no lock on the door. But it had a comfortable chair and an electrical outlet. They made me a “Do Not Enter” sign.
The judge whose courtroom I was assigned to is amazing. The courtroom clerk privately informed the judge of my need to express milk. My fellow potential jurors didn’t know that the reason we were dismissed early for the day today was because I needed to pump. She will be making the breaks for the entire courtroom longer so that I have enough time to pump. I wonder if this judge was once a breastfeeding mother?
No more worries about losing my milk supply or having to pump in a bathroom. I’m now rather excited about fulfilling my jury duty!
Wow! You got assigned to a case? My first time called to Jury Duty I was on a case. I thought it was very interesting and was very proud to have served in that way. I’m glad you have been so well accommodated! I hope your experience continues to be pleasant.
That’s so cool!! I’m glad they’re being this accomodating!
Yes, I was officially sworn in as a juror today. Looks like it will be a very interesting case. Oh, and the judge is having me pump in the juror deliberation room just outside the courtroom so I don’t have to waste time walking and taking the elevator to the room where I had been pumping. The new room has a fantastic view over the city of Los Angeles and I get it all to myself with total privacy
Wow! Glad the accommodations are so good! Noel just got summoned, but postponed until December. What is it with this area and jury duty? It’s crazy!