Navigating The 5 Stages Of A Surprise Jury Summons In Minnesota

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I got the WORST Christmas gift ever.  It didn't show up in my stocking but my husband said that he almost put it in there just to be funny.  FYI, it isn't funny and would have completely ruined my Christmas.

Two days before Christmas, I got a letter in the mail. It wasn’t a bill. It wasn’t an ad with coupons that I never use. It wasn’t the reminder that I needed to schedule my dentist appointment.  It was the worst mail ever - a summons for jury duty.

The 5 Stages You Go Through When You Find Out You Have Jury Duty in Minnesota

Two words that I have zero happy feelings about - Jury Duty.  Opening up that white envelope with the news that my life will soon be up in the air for two weeks threw me into some emotions that are very similar to the stages of grief and loss.  Ask my family, they will let you know I was not fun to be around once that envelope was ripped open.

Stage 1: Denial & Isolation
When that envelope was handed to me with the words, “You got mail today” I immediately knew it wasn’t a million dollars in that envelope or a card from a friend that isn’t on Facebook. I didn’t even have to open it and I knew I had jury duty...again! I immediately said phrases like, “No! I already had this. It’s got to be a mistake!” I just couldn’t do jury duty right now and there had to be a clause or something in the middle of the legal mumbo jumbo that would get me out.

I started to retreat into all my feelings as my family started to help fill out the form for me so it could get mailed back.

Stage 2: Anger
As I was getting asked for my birthdate and all my info for the form...something started to brew inside. That fury and heat was stirring and I was starting to get feisty. I was getting mad because I just did this a few years ago and had to turn my organized, mom-life schedule upside-down during those weeks of uncertainty.

My family knew at this point to calmly step away from the jury duty summons forms and walk away and just plan on making supper themselves...because I was done doing anything for the day.

Stage 3: Bargaining
Ok. I know. I have to do this jury duty thing. If I don’t show up, a sheriff will be at work for me and I’m not sure I want that to happen.  My boss may frown on having the cops show up to arrest me.

OkI think I can do this...but, I need to juggle stuff quite a bit to make it happen. I can still do my job - I’m sure - cause I’m supermom and can juggle sports schedules and activities so I’m sure I can handle one little thing like jury duty too while pulling in 40 hours.

Stage 4: Depression
I can’t do this.

I am not invincible.

I don’t want to do this.

Stage 5: Acceptance
To be honest, I’m still working on this one. It is my civic duty - I get that - but I’ve already done it and I know a whole lot of other people that actually want the chance. I feel like I am taking away their opportunity.

Fine. I will make the call to find out if my number has been chosen.

I am wondering if I can do a few Facebook Live posts from inside the courtroom or snap a few selfies with the staff. ;) I’m sure that is a “no” but I do have several friends on the inside that might help me get a few if I end up being one of the chosen ones.

I’ll share more of this awesome jury duty journey over on my Instagram and Facebook page. Maybe...I’ll see some of you too...and we can be jury duty friends!