How to Get out of Jury Duty Due to a Hardship

Missing work can affect you and your dependents.

Jury duty is a civic duty that every citizen of the United States may be asked to perform at some point. There are certain situations, however, in which a person might find it difficult to perform his civic duty and ask to be excused. For example, the citizen could experience a hardship by serving jury duty. In that case, the citizen can ask to be excused.

Instructions

1. 

   The judge may excuse you if you have evidence to support your claim.

   Speak to the judge who is presiding over jury selection concerning your personal situation. Explain to the judge how your service on a jury will have a negative impact on you or your dependents. Ask the judge if you may be excused from jury duty because of a personal hardship.

2. 

   A note from a doctor may excuse you from serving.

   Ask the judge what documents are necessary to prove that you and your family would suffer a hardship, should you be required to serve. Gather the documents necessary, as requested by the judge. Submit the documents to the court for review. Wait for the judge or the court's jury management office to review your evidence and respond to your request in writing.

3. 

   Try to find a family member to care for your dependents.

   If the court denies your request, make any arrangements you can. Find a sitter or a family member to share the responsibility of caring for your child or other dependent. Ask your boss to allow you to use vacation days to cover the days you will miss for jury duty.

Tips & Warnings

• Financial hardship can defer your jury duty service but does not nullify your responsibility to serve.

• Here are the most common forms required by courts to prove economic hardship:

• 1) Income tax returns

• 2) List of monthly expenses

• 3) Proof of guardianship of dependents

• 4) Medical statements from a licensed physician

• 5) Affidavit stating that no other appropriate substitute caregiver exists for your dependents

• 6) Other documentation that would prove hardship

• You cannot claim undue financial hardship based solely on the fact that you will be missing work, unless you have a job in which your income is based solely on your ability to uphold a previously signed contract.

• Requests for exemption from jury duty based on economic hardship are rarely granted. However, the judge may be willing to defer the date of service to a time that is more convenient for you.

References

• Tennessee Medical Association: Jury Duty - T.C.A. § 22-1-103 to T.C.A. §22-4-107
• New Jersey Courts: Frequently Asked Questions
• Ohio Revised Code: 2313.16 Juror may be excused.