I have always dreaded being called for jury duty and about 25 years ago I received the dreaded letter. I cried for days but sent off the acceptance form as I couldn't see a way to be excused. The travelling was one of my big worries as I am a nervous driver anyway and the thought of driving in rush hour to a strange car park, finding my way to court and being responsible for deciding someone's fate had my stomach in knots.
I got my husband to supervise a trial trip there but got beeped at twice for being in the wrong lane, dissolved into tears and couldn't drive home.
My son was very young then and I was working part time to fit in with school hours. The court papers mentioned recovering costs of childcare but I didn't want to arrange childcare for him, preferring my husband to take time off instead. I wrote a letter explaining this and asking if my husband's lost wages could be claimed back and to my great surprise....and relief...... i had a reply excusing me.
I still worry about being called again though. I'd be even more of a nervous wreck now.
Ariadne xx