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“You’ve been summoned,” or something along those lines is what the letter I received said. I suppose it didn’t help that my father told me about it over MSN messenger with the line “You’ve got to go back to Minnesota.”

Great, a $1000 ticket just to fly back home, to be picked maybe or not for a jury court, where I could be stuck for a long trial period which would effect several different things such as the amount of time I’d have to work, and subsequently the amount of money I’d be able to make in that period. There is also several different costs incurred. I no longer have family in Minnesota (the last of them moved to Austin, Texas a week or so ago) which means I’d have to find a place to rent or stay at a pricey hotel. On top of all this, if I stay in America more than 1 month out of the year, I have to pay a higher tax rate than if I’m out of the states.

So of course, I want to get myself out of this. Lucky for me, Minnesota law lets me:

If serving on a jury for the time frame for which you are summoned would result in an undo hardship for you, you may request to be deferred to a later two-month period. Examples: Full-time college students, work or livelihood issues, or a temporary medical condition. Please submit a written request with your information card.

So that’s a bit of a relief. Going back to Minnesota in the chill of winter while I’ve been living in Thailand for the past 4 years doesn’t seem like that best thing that could happen to me lately.

If you’re an internet marketer living abroad like me, check your local state laws. They may differ from Minnesota law.