Requesting to be Excused from Jury Service

Automatic Exemptions

There are no longer any statutory exemptions from jury duty. Previously, physicians, dentists, attorneys, police officers, firefighters, elected officials, were all automatically exempt from jury duty service. This is no longer the case. Senate Bill 69, which was enacted in 1998, removed these statutory exemptions.

Deferring Service

Postponing jury service is preferred to excusing a prospective juror. Inconvenience to a prospective juror or employer is not an adequate reason to be excused from jury duty. In many cases, your request to be excused may be denied and your term of service will be deferred to a later date.

Excusals

Excusals may be granted for the following reasons, but the request must be supported by facts and/or appropriate documentation as outlined below:

• The prospective juror has a serious physical or mental condition and the jury service would expose him/her to undue risk of physical or mental hardship. If the juror is under 75 years old, he/she must submit a physician’s excuse. If the juror is 75 years old or older, they may request to be excused without any documentation or other reason.
  
• The prospective juror is the sole caregiver to an ill or disabled family member. Documentation from an attending physician on behalf of the caregiver must be provided.
  
• The juror is registered as a full-time student or is a part-time student and the classes directly conflict with the court hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. The juror should provide the court with a copy of their class schedule and college identification.
• The juror is a convicted felon who has not had his rights restored.

If you believe you are exempt from service or need to request an excuse or deferral, please refer to the General Information Section of your Jury Summons/Questionnaire.