Anyone else dealing with this?

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Hi:
I have a circle of friends who have asperger's syndrome and mild to moderate autism. A few of them live with their moms and have close bonds to their families. A few of these adults who live at home are rather coddled as well. Meanwhile I live on my own and I have gotten to do more things than some of them have.

One of my coddled friends found out that I got jury duty and stated that because I have a disability, I should be exempt. I openly told them that no, it's a good thing. We need more people with disabilities serving on jury duties. They went back and blabbed to their parent and grandparent who don't agree with me and also believe I don't have any business being on a jury.

These are the reasons

1. Because I talk too much- They see me at work or witness me doing any of the things that I have to improve my life
2. They get this idea that I will not be able to comprehend the technical terms.
3. Their parent has serves all the time and knows better.

Does anyone else run into this same type of issue with their friends and family?

AS people are often view by NT people as being out of their mind or ret*d. Which is generally not the case.


I AM NOT A LAWYER...

Assuming you are in the U.S., generally you have to be adjudicated non compos mentis (the term and definition varies from state to state) to be barred from serving on a jury.

When a person is adjudicated non compos mentis they not only are barred from serving on a jury, but also lose the right to vote and the right to bear arms. Furthermore, they also cannot enter into legal contracts or even sign their name to a legal document including a will.

If you haven't been adjudicated non compos mentis (i.e.: received court order that you are not of sound mind), you every right to be on a jury.

Yes I am in the US

I suspect that many people on the spectrum would make very good jurors - more attentive to the literal evidence and small details in witness statements, and less likely to be biased by lawyers playing to the jury's emotional responses.

My husband was dismissed from jury selection, and yes you need tell the court you are on the spectrum, just as if you had a hearing loss or any other physical or mental issues.

The reason being, both the prosecutor and defense attorneys want no drama with the verdict. The both sides can argue that because you have x, y or z deficit you could not totally "get" all the facts in the cases.

Just because you are called, doesn't mean you get picked to sit. My husband has been called 4 times. Two times the judge dismissed him outright after he brought up he had ASD. The other two times, the lawyers punted him.

Go and see what happens. You have nothing to lose.

I have been selected twice but dismissed on both occasions. The first time I was required to show up and the second time, I just had to fill out a questionnaire and not have to attend any orientation.

As I did not even get a diagnosis until late in life, I was served jury summons frequently. The first time I showed up, I was sent immediately into a trial that lasted three days. We were forbidden to talk about it outside of court-- and I followed that rule. We were required to weigh all arguments logically-- I did that. I completed my duty. The subsequent times I got a card, I was sent home after showing up or overseas, so that was the only time. I don't think anyone would have questioned my performance as a juror. It did not tax me heavily in the worst areas of my disabilities.

I detested it.