In most states, parents with children in need of childcare, or those entrusted with the care of an elderly relative or incapacitated person can be excused from jury duty. When you receive the jury summons, respond to it immediately, along with an explanation of why you cannot provide alternative care for your dependents. Some counties will exclude you from jury service for a set amount of years, depending on your circumstances.
2. Be indispensable at work
If no other person at your place of business can reasonably fulfill your duties, you may be allowed to forgo jury duty. This is often the case for small business owners and sole proprietors. People in the medical profession such as surgeons or other specialists also fit this standard. Be prepared to show business licenses, job descriptions or a letter from your employer detailing the reasons it would be a hardship for you to leave your place of employment to serve on a jury.
3. Be out of the country or state
If you can show that you have planned to be in another state or country during the time of your jury service, you may be allowed to reschedule your commitment. Since jury duty is the civic responsibility of every registered voter, you may not be allowed to skip jury duty altogether, but you may be able to postpone it to a more convenient time.
Some people have medical conditions that prevent them from being away from home or a hospital for extended periods of time. This may include people dependent on certain routine treatments (dialysis, chemotherapy, etc.) or pregnant women. When asking to be excused from jury duty, include documentation that show the extent of your illness, and also lists contact information for physicians who can verify your claims.
5. Have a conflict of interest
Unfortunately, many people have been victims of violent crime, either directly or indirectly. If you or a loved one has been victimized, it may affect your ability to be impartial and reach an fair verdict. Only use this rationale if you are sincerely unable to set aside your own circumstances and be impartial. Other situations may include doctors who are asked to sit on juries involving medical malpractice, members of law enforcement and lawyers or other officers of the court.
6. Go to school
Both literally and figuratively. Full time students often get permission to postpone jury duty until their studies are completed. Some students are excused from jury duty based solely on the nature of their coursework. (Pre-law students, for example) If you’re not a full time student, educate yourself about the law, cases, and legal practices. Believe it or not, some prosecutors and defense attorneys prefer for their jury pool to be made up of ordinary citizens with little knowledge of the law. Any suggestion that you may come into a case with preconceived notions may have you excused from jury duty.
Serving on a jury is a civic duty of every citizen. However, there are some instances in which it is inconvenient or impossible for you to fulfill that duty. Being honest about your circumstances and responding in a timely fashion may be the best reason to get out of jury duty.
