Jury duty is a civic responsibility and very important in the justice system. Around 14.4% of Americans are summoned for jury duty each year. According to research done in 2017, almost two-thirds of Americans believed serving on jury duty is part of being a good citizen. However, sometimes, for one reason or another, jury duty may feel like a burden. The idea of missing work or disrupting your daily routine can push you to look for possible reasons to get out of jury duty. 

Keep reading to learn some techniques you can use to skip jury duty without getting in trouble. But first, let’s understand the legal obligations. 

Understanding Legal Obligations of Jury Duty

It is important to note that ignoring jury summons is not a good idea. A recent survey showed that only a small percentage of US citizens reportedly served jury duty, which means most people fail to show up. 

However, if you fail to respond or show up without taking the appropriate steps, you could face fines after being summoned or even face imprisonment.

Instead of avoiding jury duty altogether, take time to respond and go through the proper channels if you feel you should be excused. You can even reschedule for the next year. The courts are more understanding if you follow the rules and communicate well.

Valid Reasons to be Excused from Jury Duty

According to the United States Courts, there are three categories of people who can be exempted from jury duty:

People on active duty in the armed forces or the National Guard.

Anyone elected to public office or performing public duties.

Those working in non-federal professions like police and fire departments. 

Apart from these, not everyone is in a position to serve on a jury. There are several valid reasons commonly accepted, such as:

Medical Conditions

If you have a physical or mental condition that makes it difficult to serve, you can provide a doctor’s note and be exempted. 

Age

You must be at least 18 years old to serve in jury duty. However, if you are over 70 years old, you can request an exemption. You will need to provide your date of birth. 

Dependent Care

If you are the primary caregiver for someone with special needs or a child under 12 years, you can request an exemption.

Served on a Federal Jury

If you served on a federal jury within the past two years or you are scheduled to serve, you can be exempted. However, you must provide proof to support your claim. 

Volunteered

People who recently volunteered as firefighters, as part of an ambulance crew, or in any rescue squad can be excused from jury duty.

Felony Charge

In some states, like Massachusetts, anyone convicted of a felony charge within the last 7 years is exempted from jury duty. The same applies to anyone currently charged with a felony or in custody. 

Students

Students who are currently enrolled for full-time studies can be excused if the date conflicts with their school schedule. You can opt to reschedule your service to a later date. 

Change of Residence

If you no longer live in the judicial district where you were summoned, you can be exempted. However, you must provide the address of your new location and must prove that you don’t intend to return to that particular district within the next 12 months. 

Conclusion

There are different techniques you can use to get out of jury duty. You must complete a jury response form, clearly state your reason, and provide supporting documents. Even though you may not get a permanent exemption, your duty can be rescheduled to another date.