Yes, they should be. In fact, breastfeeding mothers in Oregon are exempt from jury duty so long as they request to be excused in writing. This is generally done on the jury summons form you receive in the mail.

If they look like this NSFW, though it shouldn't be then yes, absolutely.

Should nursing mother defendants be on trial?

Should nursing mothers be bound by the laws of gravity?

Breastfeeding thread, eh? I'm sure this thread won't degenerate...

Well...you have to admit that they are less likely to menstruate all over the jury instructions, since lactation often inhibits that activity.

Oh, and in before "Men who like lactating women have mommy issues."

I don't see why they shouldn't.

GreenAdder: I don't see why they shouldn't.

As the woman in the article stated, there are issues with being given the opportunity to pump the breastmilk while on a jury, and there isn't anywhere she can safely store the breastmilk while she's on jury duty.

I just did a stint on jury duty (didn't actually sit on a jury, though), and the rule in Texas is that people for whom jury service would be a hardship MAY serve if they want but may also opt out. Included in that list are primary caregivers for very small children, which a nursing mother would certainly be. Again, they're not on the you-can't-legally-serve-on-a-jury list, but they have the option to say no

As a woman, I am deeply offended that any woman should have a valid gender-based excuse to not have to serve like the rest of us.

As a human, I would rather not have a baby in the jury room, and especially not if we're sequestered for any length of time, thanks very much.

TemporarySanity: yes, breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural thing and all, but it's so easy to come across as "icky" like you just did.

If its wrong to fap to mothers who choose to make sure their babies start off in the most nutritious, most immune-system reinforcing and most mustardy-yellow crap-creating method possible, I don't want to be right.

Because they have other, more important duties going on.

Like being in the kitchen?

Seriously, though, this is a stupid question. No woman should be on a jury. There isn't a movie called 12 Angry Women because the phrase is redundant once they start menstruating at the same time.

I'm just amazed that in a Fark full of people who whine constantly about babies on a plane, NOBODY has yet noticed the potential horror of babies in a jury box. Who cares if there are nursing moms on the jury; but if there's a nursing mom there, it means there's a NURSING BABY along with her, and we all know what babies do: CRY.

Get Lost: Next thing ya know is that people who fart a lot, while on jury duty(or in the choosing pool), will be excused.

/Lots of ways to get out of jury duty, including making your fellow jurors almost* puke.

I'd be more than glad to excuse a farter before a nursing mom. Because, ew.

Britney Spear's Speculum: Look, if you wanna treat pregnant wimmins and mothers differently, then put it in the constitution.

Just like sex offenders, change the constitution to put them in jail for life instead of these "legal" loopholes that prevent them from living within 2000 ft of a park or school, despite the fact that they rape grandmas.

Um... what the hell are you going on about? I dare say it's reasonable to exempt/delay the jury duty of a pregnant woman or nursing mother.

Last time I had jury duty, one of the big questions asked was "Are you the sole caretaker of a young child?" In other words, if you were going to be worrying about your kid all day, they were likely to dismiss you post-haste.

/interesting experience, I made it all the way to voir dire. Three college degrees = no way either side's lawyers wanted me.