TLDR- I accidently ticked the box "I am unable to read and write English" on my jury summons form and got excused for life, accidently committing a felony with a $1000 fine or 2 months jail time
Happened just now.
So I just got home and found a Prospective Juror letter in my mailbox. The date of sending was 7th November, it also says I must submit the questionnaire by 19th November with today being the 17th. I'll admit, I panicked, it is a serious offence to not submit the form.
Having no reason other than employer may be upset without me for a month, I logged in online to complete the questionnaire.
You have to go through a "I will not lie, declaration."
I filled out the form only for it to say, you have been permanently removed from the summons list ???
I go back to my answers to see that I read "I am unable to read and write English" as "I am able to..."
Cue further panic, I try to see if I can change the answer or delete it and redo it. Nope not online. Unfortunately I work the entire hours they are open for calling so I send screenshots of the hard copy form I was given, apologising and saying I am capable and able.
Hopefully they can fix it as I don't want to have a problem with declaring the wrong information. The penalty of wrongful information is $1000 or 2 months jail time.
I am also questioning my ability to read, something I have never done as I am an avid reader and born and bred English speaker.
EDIT: Typos
UPDATE: I just reread the form and it's not due until the bloody 19TH DECEMBER!!!! seriously questioning my ability to read now
EDIT 2:
For those saying this is not real... it definitely is, I have a date stamped email to the jurors email address I sent before going to bed last night.
FYI - I'm female not male
Those saying just don't respond or cop out of Jury Duty... I am the kind of person that likes helping my local community and the government. My MIL is in politics and I have my own views about everything and love that it is mandatory to vote. I regularly volunteer for charity and donate what I can so this is not out of character for me to do this. There is also no reason for me not to do it and honestly I wouldn't mind a break from my current work.
For those saying it's not a serious law... technically in my country it is akin to fraud (as you are lying on a legal government document) but there is a lower penalty as it's not as serious as other types of fraud.
Side notes... I don't actually think I will have a problem because I emailed immediately. I shared because it was such a ridiculous fuck up that I figured I'd share because it's funny. My husband was at work and he laughed so hard when I told him about it.
This is the first time either of us have received a juror questionnaire.