How Many Times Can You Postpone Jury Duty?
Serving on a jury is mandatory for all eligible citizens, but life gets in the way sometimes. While it’s illegal to skip jury duty without a valid reason and proof, most states allow prospective jurors to postpone it.
In this article, we will answer common questions regarding jury duty postponement, such as:
- How many times can you postpone jury duty?
- What are the acceptable reasons to do it?
- How to request postponement?
If your work schedule interferes with your jury duty summons, we can also help you draft and .
How Many Times Can You Reschedule Jury Duty?
While jury duty postponement policy varies by state, most courts allow postponing jury duty up to two or three times within one year of the initial summons date. Once this limit is reached, jurors are not allowed to submit additional postponement requests.
What Are Common Reasons for Postponing Jury Duty?
Jury duty can be postponed for various reasons, such as:
| Excuses | Overview |
|---|---|
| Medical reasons |
|
| Extreme financial hardship | |
| Full-time student | Full-time students can request a postponement by presenting a copy of their student ID and their school term schedule |
| Military service |
|
| Essential service | The following individuals can postpone jury duty by providing a written statement signed by a superior:
|
| Breastfeeding | Breastfeeding mothers must provide a doctor’s letter or a midwife’s note when rescheduling jury duty |
| Jurors who have served on a jury in the previous year | Jurors who are summoned again in the same year can submit their past jury service certificate to postpone their duty |
| Conservatorship or childcare |
|
How To Postpone Jury Duty
After preparing relevant documents, you can contact the court via phone or send a written notice via email or mail. The contact details should be provided in your summons.
You will be notified of your postponement status via email, over the phone, or through the court’s official website
You can also request postponement or excusal during the jury duty selection process.
Can You Postpone Jury Duty Because You’re Afraid of Losing Your Job?
No. It’s illegal for employers to fire their employees for serving on a jury. Some states even obligate employers to grant paid leave for the duration of jury duty. Regardless of your state’s employment laws, you need to notify your employer of your summons beforehand so they can verify your summons and organize the workload accordingly.
Create a Jury Duty Leave Request Letter With DoNotPay
If you’re not sure how to inform your employer about your jury duty summons, DoNotPay is here to assist you! We can help you prepare a formal letter to request time off. Here’s how:
- Find the Request Jury Duty Leave product
- Provide some information about your workplace and your juror service schedule
- Upload the photo of your summons and submit the form
You will receive the letter within minutes. Send the letter on your own or email it to your employer through our app—the choice is all yours.
Jury Duty Laws by State
If you are unsure of how jury duty in your state works, we have a number of extensive guides that might help:
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