ByHow to Write a Jury Duty Excuse Letter?
The United States Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by jury of peers. When you fulfill your civic responsibility of serving jury duty, you are helping your fellow citizens. While most people recognize the importance of jury duty, they cannot always serve when they are summoned. The courts recognize valid reasons for needing exemptions, and DoNotPay is here to help you write a professional .
Common Questions About Jury Duty
Before trying to get out of jury duty, DoNotPay suggests that you read through the answers to some frequently asked questions about jury duty, so you understand its importance and how it works. You may realize that a postponement will work in your situation, and we can help you request a deferral just as we can help you request an excuse.
- Why is jury duty important?
- How does jury duty work?
- How do I prepare for jury duty?
- How long does jury duty last?
- Will I get paid for jury duty?
Reasons for Exemptions
Jury duty laws vary by state, and some states will automatically allow exemptions based on certain criteria.
Common Exemptions
Common reasons for temporary or permanent exemptions include:
- Age (frequently 70+) - often, you can choose but are not compelled to serve
- Breastfeeding a child
- Primary caregiver for children under a specific age
- Primary caregiver for someone who is mentally or physically unable to care for themselves
- A physical or mental disability that makes it impossible to serve
- Students who are actively enrolled in classes
- Active duty military stationed outside of the jurisdiction where you were summoned
- Service as a juror in the last 12 months (or other specified period)
- Occupation - some states grant exemptions to law enforcement officers, legislators during legislative sessions, sheriffs or deputy sheriffs, etc.
In most cases, your jury summons will give you detailed instructions on how to request an exemption if you automatically qualify.
Undue Hardship
Even if you do not meet the criteria for an exemption in your state, the courts recognize that some jurors would experience undue hardship and allow you to request an exemption based on your circumstances. Some courts will let you call, some will require you to appear in court/before a judge, but most will require you to write a jury duty excuse letter and email or mail it to a specified address with documentation. It's your responsibility to make sure you request appropriately.
Jury Duty Laws by State
Each state has its own laws regarding which reasons are valid for exemption from jury duty.
How to Write a Jury Duty Excuse Letter On Your Own
Determine How to File Your Request
The method you will file for an excuse will vary by state.
- Read your jury summons carefully.
- Verify that you are eligible and qualified to serve. If you are not qualified (due to recent service, occupation, etc.), you may simply need to respond appropriately to your jury summons.
- Read the list of exemptions and determine if your reason for needing to be excused is listed.
- Understand how to file your excuse letter, whether it is by email, an online portal, or through the mail.
- Curate a professional letter and submit it with any required documentation (doctor's supporting statement, etc.)
Sample Jury Duty Caregiver Excuse Letter
[Date of letter-month, day, and year]
[Recipient's first and last names]
[Courthouse]
[Street or P.O. box address]
[City, State ZIP code]
Dear [recipient's name]:
I have received a summons requiring my presence for jury duty on [DATE.] Although I would be honored to serve and fulfill my civic duty and would be more than willing under normal circumstances, my current situation makes it impossible for me to serve. Specifically [state your reason]. Therefore, I am respectfully requesting that I be excused from jury duty at this time. I have included supporting documentation.
Please respond if your office needs further information and notify me if your office has granted me an excuse from jury duty. Thank you in advance for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you and serving in the future.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Sender's first and last names]
Customize the letter to meet your specific needs and include any documentation (such as medical documentation) that supports your request, such as medical documents. If your summons has a juror badge number or other identification type associated with your name, include it with your signature.
Let DoNotPay File a Jury Duty Excuse Letter On Your Behalf
If you want to submit a professional and persuasive quickly and easily but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 3 easy steps:
- Search Jury Duty Excuse on DoNotPay, and enter your jury duty summons information, including the assigned date, court name, juror number, and more.
- Select your reason for excusal, and provide a few more details regarding your situation and upload evidence to prove your point.
- Enter the fax number or mailing address for the courtroom as displayed on your jury summons letter.
Why Use DoNotPay?
At DoNotPay, we know that it's not always possible to serve jury duty, and it can be stressful to request an exemption if you don't automatically qualify for one. That is why we offer a fast, easy, and successful method for requesting an exemption. We will make the best case on your behalf.
DoNotPay can do so much more than file your jury duty excuse. We can help you with any concern, including:
DoNotPay provides solutions to problems!