You cannot simply ignore a jury summons, but you can request to be excused through the court

Ignoring a jury summons is illegal and can result in contempt of court charges, fines up to several hundred dollars, or jail time. The court takes non-response seriously. However, the court does have a formal process for requesting to be excused or postponed, and judges grant these requests regularly when you have a legitimate reason.

The key is responding to the summons itself — even if you want out. You must either appear on the date listed or submit a written request to the court before that date explaining why you cannot serve. Doing nothing guarantees legal consequences. Doing something gives you a real chance.

Key Takeaways

  • You must respond to a jury summons in writing or in person; ignoring it can result in fines or contempt charges.
  • Courts regularly excuse people for medical conditions, caregiving responsibilities, financial hardship, and pre-planned travel that cannot be rescheduled.
  • Your written request should arrive before the date on the summons and include specific details about your situation, not vague reasons.
  • If the court denies your request, you can ask to postpone to a later date when your circumstances may have changed.
  • Lying to the court during jury selection or in a written request is perjury and carries criminal penalties.

Reasons the court will actually excuse you

Courts have standard categories for excusal. Medical conditions that prevent you from sitting for hours count — chronic pain, mobility issues, mental health conditions that make courtroom settings difficult, or upcoming surgery. You will need documentation from a doctor, not just your word. A letter on letterhead stating the condition and why jury duty would be harmful is usually sufficient.

Caregiving responsibilities also work: you are the sole caregiver for a child, elderly parent, or disabled family member and have no one to cover those hours. Courts understand that some people cannot simply hire childcare or take time off. Bring proof — a school schedule, a medical document showing your relative's condition, or a statement from a facility showing you are the listed emergency contact.

Financial hardship is harder to prove but possible. If jury duty would cost you your job or your income, explain that. Self-employed people and hourly workers have stronger cases than salaried employees. Bring documentation: a letter from your employer stating you are not paid during jury duty, or tax returns showing your business income if you are self-employed.

Pre-planned travel that cannot be rescheduled — a non-refundable international trip, a wedding you are in, a medical appointment scheduled months in advance — can work if you request excusal well before the trial date. Vacations are weaker reasons than weddings or medical care, and last-minute trips rarely succeed.

How to request excusal in writing

The summons itself will tell you where to send your request and the deadline. This is usually the court clerk's office, and the deadline is typically 7 to 14 days before your trial date. Do not wait. Send your request as soon as you know you cannot serve.

Write a letter, not an email (unless the summons specifically says email is acceptable). Address it to the court clerk or judge whose name appears on the summons. State your juror number and the trial date. Then explain your reason in specific terms. "I have a medical condition" is weaker than "I have severe arthritis and cannot sit for more than 30 minutes without significant pain; my doctor has advised against extended courtroom duty."

Keep it to one page. Include your phone number and mailing address. If you have documentation — a doctor's letter, a work schedule, proof of travel — attach copies, not originals. Mail it or deliver it in person to the court clerk's office. Keep a copy for yourself.

Some courts now allow online submission through their website. Check the summons or call the clerk's office to confirm the method they prefer.

What happens if the court denies your request

If the court rejects your excusal request, you will receive a notice telling you to appear on the trial date. You then have two options: appear and hope to be dismissed during jury selection, or request a postponement to a later date.

A postponement request works when your situation is temporary. If you have surgery scheduled in two weeks, ask to be postponed until after recovery. If you are traveling next month but will be back, ask to serve the month after. Courts often grant postponements because they understand that circumstances change and that serving later is better than forcing someone to serve now.

If you appear in court and the judge asks during jury selection whether you can serve fairly, you can explain your hardship then. Judges have discretion to excuse you at that point, though it is less certain than a pre-trial request.

What not to do

Do not lie. If you claim a medical condition you do not have, or say you cannot afford to miss work when you actually can, you are committing perjury. Courts can verify information — they contact employers, request medical records, and cross-check statements. The penalty for perjury is far worse than jury duty: criminal charges, a record, and possible jail time.

Do not ignore the summons. Contempt of court charges start at around $100 to $300 in fines and can escalate to jail time if you ignore multiple notices. Some courts issue arrest warrants for people who do not respond.

Do not call the court and ask to be excused without submitting a written request first. Some courts will direct you to submit a letter. Others will tell you to appear and request excusal in person. Either way, a written record is stronger than a phone call.

Jury selection as a last resort

If you appear on the trial date and were not excused beforehand, you will go through jury selection. During this process, the judge and lawyers ask potential jurors questions about their background, beliefs, and ability to serve fairly. This is your chance to explain hardships the court may not have known about.

Be honest. If you cannot afford to miss work, say so. If you have a medical condition that makes sitting difficult, mention it. If you have strong feelings about the type of case being tried, say that too. Lawyers and judges use this information to decide who stays and who goes. Many people are dismissed during jury selection for reasons that would not have worked in a written request.

However, do not assume jury selection will save you. It is not a may provide out. If you have a legitimate reason to be excused, submit a written request before the trial date rather than hoping to be dismissed later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be excused if I have already served jury duty recently?

Many courts have rules about how often you can be called — typically once every one to three years, depending on the jurisdiction. If you served within that timeframe, mention it in your excusal request. Some courts will automatically excuse you; others require you to provide proof of your prior service.

What if I am retired or unemployed — does that make it harder to get excused?

Yes, somewhat. Courts assume retired and unemployed people have more flexibility. However, you can still be excused for medical reasons, caregiving duties, or pre-planned travel. Financial hardship is harder to claim if you are not losing income, but if jury duty would strain a fixed income, explain that in your request.

Do I have to tell my employer I received a jury summons?

You do not have to tell them before you respond to the court. However, if you are requesting excusal based on work hardship, you may need a letter from your employer confirming that you are not paid during jury duty or that your absence would cause significant business loss. Many employers provide these letters without issue.

Can I request a postponement instead of excusal?

Yes. If your reason for not serving is temporary — surgery, travel, a temporary work project — ask to be postponed to a specific later date. Courts grant postponements more readily than permanent excusals because you are still willing to serve, just at a different time.

What if I move after receiving a summons?

Notify the court clerk immediately with your new address. If you have moved out of the jurisdiction, you may be excused automatically. If you have moved within the same county or state, the court may still expect you to appear or may reschedule you. Do not ignore the summons; contact the clerk's office and explain the move.