Q&A for How to Get Out of Jury Duty

If you have been seen by your physician for anxiety in the past, you could approach them and explain the situation and they would probably be willing to write you an excuse.

There is no upper age limit to serve as a juror. You must be at least 18 years of age to serve. However, if you are 75 years of age or older, you may be excused from jury duty at your request - no medical excuse required.

It would be seen as a conflict of interest. You may have a biased opinion of the judicial and correction systems.

You will have to provide a doctor's note clearly stating that you are unable to serve due to your medical condition.

Absolutely, because most attorneys wouldn't want someone on the jury to not understand the English language, but you may be asked to provide evidence to prove this.

They will ask you why you cannot take public transportation. You will have to explain why you can't afford to take public transportation or why it's not possible to take public transportation there from your location.

In some areas, being too old may qualify someone to get out of jury duty.

In most places, you may claim an exemption if you are necessarily and personally responsible during normal court hours for providing the continuous care required by a child or children age 16 years of age or younger of whom you have legal custody or a person having a physical or mental impairment. Check with your state for specific exemptions.

You will excused if you have any physical or mental illness that would prevent you from performing the duties of a juror (which isn't any generic mental disorder or illness). You must provide the court with a signed doctor's note attesting to your illness.

Yes, you would just tell them and will mark it down to temporarily excuse you from serving. However, they will likely call on you again within the next several years.

You must show your airline ticket confirmation to the court to prove it. Additionally, you may also submit the proof of the event you are attending and show dates.

If you show proof of your condition and that the chances of it impeding your decision-making skills are high, then yes.

You will be excused when you show proof of your new address in the county you now reside in. You can use a copy of a utility bill or other piece of mail or a driver's license or state ID card with the new address.

You would need to show proof you no longer live in that state. You will be excused from jury duty.

Probably depending on who is reviewing it. You would likely be 'recycled' back into juror selection pool.

With a doctor's note and the results of a qualified test indicating that you may not hear crucial evidence, it may be possible to be excused. Remember to always be truthful to the extent of your condition. Most people have slight hearing damage that would not excuse them from jury duty.

Probably not. You can try getting a medical note, but it will be up to the judge.

Usually there is, but you can also use that as an excuse to get out of jury duty.

It may or may not be based upon the jurisdiction. In New York, anyone age 70 or older does not have to serve on juries (they can if they want to).

It's unlikely. Check with your doctor. Most courthouses are accessible, and you'll be sitting most of the time.

Regardless of the crime, if you have been convicted of a felony, you may still be disqualified form serving for jury duty. The federal requirements for serving on jury duty are similar to most states. A convicted felon is not able to serve on a federal jury duty.

Yes, they certainly can.

Being a full-time student typically doesn't qualify as an excuse (unless you're in high school), so it may not be possible for you to get out of jury duty entirely just because you're a student. However, many states allow full-time students to postpone their service until school is not in session.

You must contact the court regardless of your age. You will not be made to serve past 75, but since the requests are sent out via a computer, no human actually sees the outgoing requests, and thus you must show proof to the court yourself.

That's not something that would automatically disqualify you, but something you should disclose.

Go to the court on summons day and ask for a translator. The court will provide one. You can talk to the translator; the translator will relay all your information to the judge, who will decide if you will be excused.

Possibly, as you need to be accessible for Last Rights Moments and sudden illness emergencies for your congregation.

There is a good chance that you will be excused, but you'll still need to fill out the summons and appear on the requested date to make your statement.

You could try. It depends on the attorneys and judge on the case.

Yes, as long as you really are going out of town. Respond to your summons and tell them you will be out of town. Ask to have your jury duty rescheduled. They may ask where you are going and how long you will be gone. Respond honestly, as lying is perjury, which can land you in court as a defendant!