Legitimate Excuses for Getting Out of Jury Duty

While most individuals are less than keen on the idea of serving on jury duty, there are a limited number of viable excuses that actually allow them to get out of it. For that reason, it's important for anyone who believes they might not be able to serve to review the list of viable excuses and make sure their excuse is listed. Otherwise, you may be required to present a specific case and reason for being excused to the court workers or even the judge.

Initially, if you do have a good reason to get out of jury duty, you can write to the court via the questionnaire and relate your reason for requesting an exemption. However, if you wait too long, you will be required to complete the call in process until you are selected to visit the courthouse, at which time you can present your reasons for being unable to serve in person.

The first reason an individual might try to get out of jury duty is if they are older than 70 years old. This is the simplest way to get out of jury duty as proof of age is all that's required. Another common way is if you are responsible for the care of children or the elderly. Proving this is also relatively simple but might require further phone conversations. Regardless, if you have children and are called for jury duty, it is highly feasible that you can get out of it.

Additionally, members of the volunteer firefighter or ambulance crews are given leave to excuse themselves from jury duty. Already serving more than their fair civic duty, they are immediately excused.

If your role in a business is so vital that your absence could cause failure to the business, you are also exempt from jury duty. This often applies to those who own small businesses and cannot replace themselves in the workplace for as long as a trial might take. Other occupations that are exempt include attorneys, doctors, nurses and dentists. Each of these professions is a vital part of society and therefore excused from jury duty.

If you are physically incapable of reaching the courthouse, you are also exempt. Initially, this means that you do not have a car and cannot use the bus or other form of public transportation. However, it extends to include exemptions for disabilities as well.

Most excuses that require explanation must be made at the courthouse during the jury selection process. These include any excuses made on the behalf of family care or work responsibilities. You will need to report for the selection process and make your argument there.

Ultimately, it is unwise to openly ignore a jury duty summons. Because it is a demand from the court and not a request, it is your legal obligation to honor it or present an excuse that they accept for not honoring it. If you choose to ignore the summons, you could be subject to criminal prosecution.

What if there are ways to avoid jury duty legally. Wouldn't it save all your time and hassle of going through the whole process.

If you feel like there is just too much on your plate right now to even think of going for jury duty, then you need help.

Discover the strategy that hundreds have already put to good use at http://www.avoidingjuryduty.com

7 Tips For Getting Around Bangkok

Bangkok is one of the largest and busiest cities on the planet and trying to find your way around can be something of a challenge for even the most seasoned traveller. But don't despair - with a cool heart, plenty of patience, an icy bottle of water and a bit of forward planning, you'll be on your way across town before you know it.

Here are some tips on Bangkok transport options and how best to make your way around this bustling metropolis

1. Avoid Tuk Tuk Scams

Tuk Tuks (3 wheeled motorised taxis) can provide you with a quick and readily available means of getting around Bangkok, but don't be tempted by the '20 baht' offer of a full day tour of the city. These scams invariably take you from one dull & overpriced shopping venue to another, each one selected on the sole basis that if you buy something, your tuk tuk driver will earn himself a nice commission bonus. Not all tuk tuk rides are scams but just make sure you negotiate a reasonable price for your (direct) trip before jumping on board.

2. Utilise the Bangkok Skytrain and newly opened Underground

The BTS Skytrain and newly opened Underground (or subway) network will get you around Bangkok in the fastest possible time. If you want to get across town in a hurry and avoid the infamous Bangkok traffic jams, then these two transport systems will serve you well. From most points around the city you can take a quick walk or taxi ride to the nearest station and be on your way in air-conditioned comfort in no time at all. Just remember, during peak times, you'll be sharing the ride with thousands of Thai commuters, so you'll be lucky to get a seat, but it still beats sitting in traffic for up to two hours.

3. Try the Chao Phraya Ferry Service

For a scenic journey across town, try one of the many ferry services operated on the main river, the Chao Phraya, which winds its way through Bangkok. Only available during daylight hours, this is one of the most relaxing and stress free ways to get around Bangkok, plus you'll see a terrific blend of old and new architecture as you pass by sweeping skyscrapers and humble wooden abodes. There are ferry stops all along the river, usually marked on any map of Bangkok and if you're not sure which ferry to take to get to where you're going, just ask one of the other commuters or ticket staff - they'll be happy to help you on your way.

4. Taxis are cheap but traffic moves slowly

In Bangkok, you can hire a metered taxi for very little cost. For example, a journey from the airport to your downtown hotel is likely to only cost you in the vicinity of 200 THB (or about $5). Keep in mind, however, that as reliable and comfortable as Bangkok taxis can be, they are still subject to peak hour traffic jams. If you need to be across town during peak times, consider leaving for your destination earlier to avoid traffic, or else take a combination of taxi and public transport (skytrain, underground or ferry) to avoid getting stuck in one of those notorious Bangkok traffic nightmares. Also, when taking a taxi, make sure you select a driver who uses a meter, not one who quotes you a set fee, as choosing the second option will invariably end up costing you more.

5. Leg Power

If you want to sightsee in Bangkok or don't have far to travel across town, consider donning a pair of good walking shoes, grabbing a bottle of water and setting out on foot to explore this vast and exciting city. Especially during peak traffic times, you'll find this a much more enjoyable mode of transport and you'll get to see some of the intricate details which make up this cosmopolitan city. In addition, you'll get closer to the people and probably make a few new friends along the way.

6. Public Buses & Trains

Public buses run everywhere in Bangkok but trying to work out which bus goes where can be a bit daunting, even for veteran Bangkok travellers. If you've got a sense of adventure and a bit of time on your hands, you'll find this a fun and inexpensive mode of transport, as well as a great way to meet people along the way. Just keep in mind that peak hour in Bangkok will mean very full buses, sometimes not even standing room will be available.

Public trains (not the underground) are mainly for travel to regional destinations, so unless you're heading upcountry, travelling by train around Bangkok is probably not your best option.

7. Motorbike Taxis - Not for the Faint-hearted

Their ability to duck in and out of the congestive Bangkok traffic and the low cost make motorbike taxis a popular choice for many living in Bangkok. If you only need to travel a fairly short distance, a motorbike taxi could be a fast options for you. Keep in mind though that this mode of transport is not the safest form of getting around and you'll require nerves of steel as well as great trust in your driver if you choose to travel by motorbike taxi around Bangkok.

Copyright 2006 Kris Gardener. Please feel free to pass this article on to your friends, or use it in your ezine or newsletter. It's a shareware article.

Kris Gardener is Manager of Limestone Lake Rainforest Tours, Khao Sok, Thailand. She has been living and working in Thailand for over 7 years, first as a tour leader, then later as General Manager of a boutique resort. Kris' husband, Aoo, is a TAT licenced guide and is owner/operator of Limestone Lake Rainforest Tours, a company specialising in unique rainforest tours and accommodation in the Khao Sok National Park area. If you want a fun & friendly holiday in Thailand, as well as professional & personal service, we highly recommend Limestone Lake Rainforest Tours:

http://www.limestonelaketours.com

Getting In and Around New York City

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As one of the world's busiest and most populous capitals in the United States, New York City enjoys a good number of connections - through air, land and sea, such that travelling to the city can be fairly easy wherever your place of origin may be.

By Plane. The city has the busiest airspace in the United States and to serve the hundreds of millions of travelers that go in and out are three major airports in New York City: the John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Newark Liberty International (EWR) and the La Guardia Airport (LGA). JFK is in the Queens borough and is a major international hub for airlines such as Delta, American Airlines, Air France and Lufthansa, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Newark Liberty International is located in Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey. One of the three terminals in this airport is home to Continental Airlines. Meanwhile, LGA or La Guardia Airport mostly provides domestic services for the city. All three are being administered and managed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

By Land. There are several options for travelling into New York City - by train, by commuter rail and by bus. Amtrak has its largest hub in the east-coast system in the New York Penn Station. It provides regular commuter service between major points on the East Coast from Washington, D.C. up to Boston, with convenient stops at Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Haven and Providence. Other points of service include Chicago, California, New Orleans, Miami, and to Toronto and Montreal in Canada.

Meanwhile, there are three commuter rail lines serving New York City: the Long Island Rail road (LIRR) which basically serves points in Long Island but has stops at Jamaica Station, Hunters Point, Queens and Atlantic Terminal Station in Brooklyn; the Metro-North Rail Road has service to points in Westchester, Putnam, Duchess Counties in New York as well as Connecticut; and the New Jersey Transit which, like the LIRR, operates from the New York Penn Station but services to points in New Jersey. All these commuter rail lines also offer transfers or connecting services to either the airport or the train station.

Travelling by bus to and from New York City has its share of advantages - they can be cheap if booked well in advance, tickets can be booked through wifi or outlets, and with more bus lines sprouting, the service stops across New York City are also increasing. Traditional stop for most buses remain at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. "Chinatown" buses, so called because they mostly stop in Chinatown, are said to have the lowest walk-up fares. Other bus lines include Boltbus, Greyhound, Megabus, NeOn, Peter Pan Bus Company, New Century Travel and Tripper Bus to name a few.

By Sea. A ferry system connects Manhattan to various areas within and outside the city. The Staten Island Ferry runs between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan and is considered the busiest ferry in the United States.

Getting around New York City is fairly easy - most people take the extensive New York City Subway which is still by far the best and most convenient way to travel around the city. If you plan on renting a car to drive around, you may want to think twice about it because traffic in the city is always congested and safe parking is an expensive privilege. Of course, the healthiest alternative is to walk and New York residents are known to walk everywhere.

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