Avoiding Jury Service Obligations: A Guide
If you're trying to dodge jury duty, you've got options beyond wearing a "Guilty Until Proven Innocent" T-shirt or publicly discussing your bowel movements. There are legitimate ways to escape jury duty without resorting to crazy stunts.
Think about it: Nobody enjoys receiving a letter with "jury summons" written on it. Since the selection process for jury duty is random as hell, you never know when that dreaded envelope will arrive at your doorstep. Fortunately, you might not need to shuffle your schedule just yet. There are practical techniques at your disposal to dodge jury duty.
This guide isn't going to delve into the importance of civic duty. We'll assume that you're a law-abiding citizen with an ethical reason for wanting to bail on your jury summons. Lie to avoid jury duty, and you could end up with hefty fines or even criminal contempt charges, and potentially even jail time. Without further ado, here are all the legal methods to avoid jury duty.
Excuses that'll get you out of jury duty
To legally dodge your summons, investigate anything that prevents you from being physically present or that suggests you'd be an unbiased juror. If the following excuses apply to your situation, write a clear letter in response to your summons that explains why you can't serve on that particular date. Remember that this letter isn't a guarantee – each court has its own procedures for considering these excuses.
Economic hardship
Perhaps you run a small business that would crumble without your presence, or perhaps your family would face financial turmoil if you were selected to be a juror. Economic hardship is a valid reason to dodge jury duty, but you'll need several documents besides your excuse letter. Submit your current tax returns to display your financial status, documentation showing your employment details (wages, hours, etc.), and any proof of your inability to support yourself or your family during jury service.
Note: Government jobs and some large employers cover employees during jury duty, but many positions don't. Sadly, "missed work" typically doesn't qualify as a claim for economic hardship, no matter how accurate it might be.
Medical hardship
Courts understand that you can't be expected to show up if you have a legitimate medical condition. You don't have to be in a coma, either. If you suffer from IBS, for example, it could be argued that this makes it difficult for you to sit and concentrate on a case for long periods of time. Those aiming to claim medical hardship must provide a physician's signed statement outlining their condition and its expected duration.
Caretaker responsibilities
If you have dependents or care for someone who requires your constant attention, you might find it challenging to attend jury duty. If you're a caregiver for children under 16, submit copies of the children's birth certificates along with a detailed explanation of why there's no other suitable alternative while you're in court. All other caregivers, such as those for elderly relatives or partners, must provide a doctor's note detailing the patient's diagnosis and confirmation of your necessity as a caregiver.
Student status
If you're currently enrolled in school, you're more or less off the hook. Present a copy of your student ID or class schedule to explain why you can't make it on your court date.
Senior citizen status
Different court systems have different rules, and many states recognize that jury duty can be a significant burden for senior citizens. Some states, like Mississippi and South Carolina, exempt you if you're 65 or older. Others, like Arkansas and Colorado, have no age exemptions for seniors. This resource provides a state-by-state breakdown of senior citizen exemptions for jury duty.
Mental or emotional instability
While sharing deeply personal information might be daunting, a mental health diagnosis could help you get out of the jury box. Even if you don't have a diagnosis, it's worth mentioning any extenuating circumstances, such as a recent family tragedy. Business Insider notes that this excuse could be especially useful in complex cases involving scientific matters, which would necessitate jurors to be free of mental distractions.
Inability to be impartial
Even if you don't know the details of the case yet, you might have a valid reason for why you could never be an impartial juror. For instance, if you work frequently with your local police department, explain that this predisposes you to view police officers favorably or unfavorably. Similarly, if a family member is employed in law enforcement, highlight how this makes you highly biased towards or against them.
Jury service can typically be delayed for up to six months, potentially three times, following a summons. Jurisdictions vary, but most allow you to postpone service for a later date. For instance, in NY, you can defer your service once online or through a toll-free number at least one week prior to your scheduled service date. Ensure to have your juror ID number ready when you log in or call, and be aware of your home state's regulations as they might differ.
Select a jury duty date for early weekend departures
Advice from Lifehacker's Stephen Johnson: Since you get to choose your service date, opt for the day before an extended break. Legal professionals also seek early departures, so it's unlikely a case will commence that day. I've managed this twice, and potential jurors were dismissed by 11 a.m. both times.
Try this trick: Request to reschedule your service date to December. Apparently, courts are more likely to reschedule or cancel proceedings during this period – it is the holiday season, after all. In the best-case scenario, the court doesn't recall you for the new date, and you're off the hook.
How to avoid being selected for jury duty
Remember that your initial jury duty summons is just for jury selection, not the entire service. If you can't avoid jury selection, consider these suggestions to dissuade attorneys from selecting you:
- Show extreme eagerness.** Use reverse psychology – act overly excited about being on the jury. Lawyers often avoid jurors who appear overly eager, as they might have a hidden agenda before fully hearing the case.
- Stake your ground.** If you genuinely hold a stance related to the case, make it clear. For example, if you've had negative experiences with an insurance company, you shouldn't participate in cases dealing with insurance.
- Position yourself as an expert.** Lawyers aim to sway jurors' opinions. By convincingly highlighting your expertise on a related case issue, you may increase your chances of dismissal.
- Mention your veto rights.** If selected for jury duty, you pledge to base your verdict on the evidence presented during the trial. Refuse to swear to this commitment. Bring up your legitimate jury veto rights, which include the right to rule as the jury sees fit – known as "jury nullification." Although legal, this could create inconvenience for the prosecution and the court.
Under no circumstances should you mislead the court
Although entertaining, this is not the time to practice your Liz Lemon impression. Never lie openly or make false claims in front of the judge, as you could face jail time. In severe instances where the judge suspects you're mocking their court, they may sentence you to up to two years in jail.
Lastly, be cautious about jury duty manipulations
Court excuses are judged individually. Avoid missing jury selection or leaving early, assuming your reasoning is valid. You could be fined heavily and potentially face up to two years in jail on charges of contempt of court.
For more jury insights, explore our debunking of common jury duty myths.
Despite your desire to escape the distress of jury duty, it's important to remember that deliberately lying to the court is not an option. Engaging in humorous acts like mimicking Liz Lemon could result in severe consequences, including jail time.
Though not getting picked for jury duty might seem like a desirable form of entertainment, focusing on legitimate excuses such as economic or medical hardship, caretaker responsibilities, student status, senior citizen status, mental or emotional instability, or the inability to be impartial, increases your chances of being excused.
