You might be excused altogether, or your date may be deferred (rescheduled). These accepted excuses will depend on the court that called you for jury duty. You must ask to be excused. This generally involves filling out an affidavit or calling the court.
Failing to respond to a jury summons or show up for jury duty generally results in contempt of court. The judge may issue an order requiring you to appear at a hearing to explain your absence. You could face fines, jail time, or both for ignoring a jury summons.
If we do not hear from you, an order will be issued requiring you to appear at a hearing and explain before a judge the reason you failed to appear. The ultimate penalty could be a $1000 fine, three days in jail, community service, or a combination of all three.
What are some of the best excuses people have used when they didn't want to show up for jury duty? You are not fluent in English. You are disabled, evidenced by a physician's attestation. You are hospitalized, again evidenced by a physician's attestation.
Certain people are eligible to be exempted or excused from jury duty, such as people age 70 or older or full-time students. If you qualify, you must contact the court to receive an exemption before your appearance date. Follow the instructions on the summons or contact the court directly for more information.
You may request a temporary postponement due to other commitments (vacation, work, health, school, etc.) that may conflict with your summons date. It will be necessary to submit a letter to the jury office with your request at least seven business days prior to when your service is to begin.
Failing to respond to a jury summons can lead to a judge issuing a bench warrant for your arrest. You may be required to attend a hearing to explain your absence. Typically, penalties include a fine for skipping jury duty and, in rare cases, brief jail time.