No one likes jury duty, but most people have to do it at least once in their lives. There are, however, a few valid excuses to get out of jury duty, and although they can vary from state to state, most of them are pretty homogeneous. Following are some of the valid excuses to get out of jury duty; just be sure to check the laws in your state to make sure they apply.
Valid Excuses to Get Out of Jury Duty: School
If you attend high school, college or graduate school, you can almost always get out of jury duty. Some states will even exempt you if you take online courses because participating in jury duty will keep you from studying. Most states require you to submit proof of enrollment in school, such as a copy of your student I.D. card or a copy of your most recent tuition bill. If you are in high school (and this happens for students who turn eighteen early), you can have the registrar’s office sign a document saying that you are enrolled.
Valid Excuses to Get Out of Jury Duty: Chronic Illness
The court understands that people who are chronically ill cannot withstand the pressures of jury duty. It compromises their ability to take their medication and can cause undue stress. If you have a chronic illness — such as diabetes or HIV — have your doctor write an explanation of your illness and submit it to the courts by fax or through the mail. Some states will require you to appear on the date of your summons, while others will not.
Valid Excuses to Get Out of Jury Duty: Occupation
Certain professionals are automatically allowed to excuse themselves from jury duty. Attorneys, doctors, dentists and emergency personnel are usually not required to sit for jury duty, though they may be required to show up on the date of their summons. Remember, however, that simply having to report to work for your job as an administrative assistant won’t cut it. Businesses are required to give employees time off for jury duty without jeopardizing their employment.
Valid Excuses to Get Out of Jury Duty: Caregivers
If you are responsible for the care of children or elderly family members, you may be given an excuse to get out of jury duty. You must be able to prove that you cannot get someone else to do your job for you while you are serving on the jury and you must show up on the date of your summons. This is especially true if you are the caregiver for someone who needs specialized treatment that you have been trained to provide.
Valid Excuses to Get Out of Jury Duty: Knowing the Defendant
If you know the defendant, any of the witnesses or any of the court officials, you will almost always be excused from jury duty. This, however, will only happen during the jury selection process when you are questioned by the defense and prosecution, and does not excuse you from showing up on the date of your summons.
Valid Excuses to Get Out of Jury Duty: Transportation
The final way that you may be able to get out of jury duty is if you have no transportation. This is difficult, however, because you must be able to prove that (1) You don’t have a vehicle; (2) You cannot use public transportation; and (3) You don’t have a relative or friend who can drive you.
