Legally Qualified For Jury Service An Individual Must:
- be a United States citizen;
- be at least 18 years of age;
- reside primarily in the judicial district for one year;
- be adequately proficient in English;
- have no disqualifying mental or physical condition;
- not currently be subject to felony charges; and
- never have been convicted of a felony (unless civil rights have been legally restored)
Groups That Are Exempt From Jury Service:
(Some Changes May Be Made From State To State)
(Some Changes May Be Made From State To State)
- members of the armed forces on active duty;
- members of professional fire and police departments; and
- "public officers" of federal, state or local governments, who are actively engaged full-time in the performance of public duties.
Excuses For Federal Jury Duties:
Excuses from Jury Duty are:
Individual Request
Designated groups of persons or occupational classes such groups may include:
Persons over age 70;
Persons who have, in the past two years, served on a federal jury;
Persons who serve as volunteer fire fighters or members of a rescue squad or ambulance crew.
The Jury Act also allows courts to "undue hardship or extreme inconvenience" excuse you if the distance to the courthouse makes it difficult for the juror to travel.
The juror should write a letter to the clerk of court requesting an excuse with an explanation of hardship.
Excuses for jurors are granted at the discretion of the court and cannot be reviewed or appealed to Congress or any other entity.
Temporary Deferrals The Jury Act allows courts to grant temporary deferrals of service on the grounds of "undue hardship or extreme inconvenience."
The juror summons provides specific information on how to request a deferral from the court summoning the juror.
Individual Request
Designated groups of persons or occupational classes such groups may include:
Persons over age 70;
Persons who have, in the past two years, served on a federal jury;
Persons who serve as volunteer fire fighters or members of a rescue squad or ambulance crew.
The Jury Act also allows courts to "undue hardship or extreme inconvenience" excuse you if the distance to the courthouse makes it difficult for the juror to travel.
The juror should write a letter to the clerk of court requesting an excuse with an explanation of hardship.
Excuses for jurors are granted at the discretion of the court and cannot be reviewed or appealed to Congress or any other entity.
Temporary Deferrals The Jury Act allows courts to grant temporary deferrals of service on the grounds of "undue hardship or extreme inconvenience."
The juror summons provides specific information on how to request a deferral from the court summoning the juror.
