Adventures in Jury Duty

I'm scheduled for jury duty on July 30th, despite the fact that I neglected to send in my Potential Juror Questionnaire. Twice. I was hoping I could move before I was called, and that it would take them a little while to find me. Plus, the idea of being a Jury Duty Fugitive made me feel like a bad ass.

Anyway, July 30th is not a very good date for jury duty, as I have a new apartment to move into, I just started my job, and The Young Man and I have a trip to Schenectady planned. I knew that you were allowed one postponement, so I figured I'd use it now and serve in like November or something. I started working on getting this done at 9:00 this morning. I ran into a snag early on -- I've lost my actual summons.

I went to the New York State juror site and looked up the appropriate phone number. I am asked by a pleasant recording whether I would like to continue in English or Spanish. I say "English," and she immediately switches over to Spanish, which is not a language I understand. I call back, and choose "1" for English, rather than risk another voice recognition mishap. I am given several options that do not have numbers associated with them. I say "petit jury." No recognition. I am prompted four more times and say "petit jury" four more times. Nothing. I go back to the main menu, where I am given an option to say "operator," or press "0." Without thinking, I say "operator." No recognition. I press "0." I am connected to a surly women who transfers me. No one picks up -- it rings and rings and rings.

I call back. A pleasant woman is able to ascertain that I do, in fact, qualify for a postponement. She then gives me the number I need to call to do so. It's a recording, which asks for the index number printed on my jury summons. I wait, thinking I will be given an option for those who do not have their jury summons, or an option to speak to an operator. None. Nada. Zilch. I curse the New York State jury system.

I call back the first number, selecting "1" for English and "0" for operator. The system hangs up on me. Five times. I call a sixth time, and it rings! I think this must be it, someone will finally answer, and I get a recording telling me that all operators are busy, there is no holding or leaving messages, and to call back during regular business hours. I call again. Hung up on. Three more times.

Here's my question. Are they making the postponement process this difficult on purpose, or is the juror system THAT broken?

By the way, I just got hung up on again while writing this. Kill me now.