You can request to be excused, but the judge decides whether to grant it

When you receive a jury summons, you have the right to ask the court to excuse you — but requesting is not the same as being released. The judge or court clerk will review your reason and decide whether it meets the court's threshold for excusal. Courts vary widely in what they consider a valid reason. Some courts excuse almost anyone who asks; others require genuine hardship. You must respond to the summons itself, even if you plan to request excusal, or you risk being held in contempt of court.

The process starts with the summons document you receive in the mail. It will tell you the date you must appear, the courthouse location, and usually how to request excusal — either by phone, mail, email, or online portal. Read the summons carefully, because missing the deadline to request excusal means you lose that option and must appear in person.

Key Takeaways

  • You must respond to a jury summons even if you want to be excused; ignoring it can result in fines or contempt charges.
  • The summons document itself explains how to request excusal in your specific court — by phone, mail, email, or online.
  • Courts accept different reasons for excusal depending on local rules; common ones include medical conditions, caregiving duties, financial hardship, and pre-planned travel.
  • If the court denies your request, you can ask again on the day you appear, but showing up is mandatory unless the court has already excused you in writing.
  • Some courts allow postponement instead of excusal, moving your service date to a time that works better for you.

What counts as a valid reason for excusal

Courts do not have a single national standard for excusal. A reason that works in one courthouse may not work in another. That said, certain categories appear across most court systems: serious medical conditions (yours or a dependent's), caregiving responsibilities you cannot delegate, financial hardship that jury pay will not cover, pre-planned travel you cannot cancel, and work obligations that cannot be rescheduled.

Medical reasons are among the most commonly accepted. If you have a condition that makes sitting in court difficult or dangerous, or if you are the sole caregiver for someone with a serious illness, document this with a letter from a doctor. Courts want specifics: not "I have back pain" but "My orthopedist states I cannot sit for more than 30 minutes without risk of nerve damage."

Caregiving duties work similarly. If you are the only person caring for a child, elderly parent, or disabled family member, and no one else can take over during jury service, explain that. Courts understand that some people genuinely cannot leave their responsibilities. Bring documentation if you have it — a school schedule, a medical care plan, proof that you are the designated caregiver.

Financial hardship is trickier. Most courts pay jurors a small amount per day, often $15 to $50. If you will lose income that exceeds this, you can request excusal on hardship grounds. Self-employed people and hourly workers have the strongest cases. Salaried employees are often denied because their employer typically pays them during jury service. Bring pay stubs or a letter from your employer explaining the loss.

How to submit your excusal request

The summons tells you exactly how to request excusal in your court. Do not call the courthouse main number and hope someone routes you correctly — use the method listed on the document. Most courts now accept requests by phone, email, or online portal. A few still require mail. Missing the deadline listed on the summons means you cannot request excusal remotely and must appear in person.

When you submit your request, be direct and specific. Write or say: "I request to be excused because [reason]. [Supporting detail]." Do not apologize or over-explain. Courts process hundreds of requests; a clear, factual statement works better than a long story. If you have documentation — a doctor's letter, a work schedule, proof of pre-booked travel — include it or bring it with you.

Keep a record of when and how you submitted your request. If you call, note the date, time, and the name of the person who took your request. If you email or use an online portal, save the confirmation. Courts sometimes lose track of requests, and you will need proof you tried to notify them.

What happens if the court denies your request

If the court denies your excusal request in writing before your service date, you must appear on the date listed. Ignoring a denied request is the same as ignoring the original summons — you can be fined or charged with contempt.

If you did not receive a written response before your service date, you still must appear. Bring your documentation with you. When you arrive at the courthouse, tell the judge or court clerk that you requested excusal and explain your situation again in person. Many judges will excuse you at that point, especially if you have medical or caregiving documentation. This is your second chance, but it only works if you show up.

Some courts will not grant excusal but will offer postponement instead — moving your service date to a later time when your situation may have changed. If you have a medical procedure scheduled, you might be moved to a date after you recover. If you have a work conflict, you might be moved to a slower season. Postponement is not the same as excusal, but it can solve your immediate problem.

Postponement as an alternative to excusal

If your conflict is temporary, ask about postponement rather than excusal. You are still required to serve eventually, but the court moves your date. This works well for pre-planned travel, temporary medical treatment, or a known work deadline. Courts are often more willing to postpone than to excuse.

When you request postponement, suggest a specific date or timeframe when you will be available. "I cannot serve in March because I am having surgery, but I can serve in May" is more useful to the court than "I cannot serve now." Courts schedule jury pools months in advance, and a specific alternative date helps them plan.

Contempt of court and what happens if you ignore a summons

Ignoring a jury summons is a crime in most states. The penalty varies: fines ranging from $100 to $1,000, jail time of a few days to a few months, or both. Some courts start with a warning letter. Others move straight to fines. A few pursue jail time for repeat offenders.

The key point: you must respond to the summons, even if you do not want to serve. Responding means either confirming you will appear, requesting postponement, or requesting excusal with a reason. Silence is not an option.

If you receive a second summons after ignoring the first, the court's patience is gone. Respond immediately. If you have a genuine reason you did not respond the first time — you never received the summons, you were out of the country — contact the court clerk and explain before the second deadline passes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be excused because I have a job?

Most courts will not excuse you simply because you work. Employers are generally expected to allow jury service. However, if your job is self-employed or hourly and you will lose significant income, or if your employer has stated they will not pay you during service, you can request excusal on financial hardship grounds. Bring documentation from your employer.

What if I did not receive my summons?

Contact the court clerk immediately and explain. Courts mail summonses to the address on your voter registration or driver's license. If you moved and did not update your address, the summons went to your old home. Bring proof of your current address and ask the court to reschedule you. Do not wait for a second summons or a contempt notice.

Can my doctor write a letter to excuse me?

A doctor's letter helps, but it does not automatically excuse you. The letter must explain why jury service is medically inadvisable — not just that you have a condition. "Patient has anxiety" is weaker than "Patient's anxiety disorder is triggered by crowded indoor spaces and makes extended sitting impossible." The judge decides whether to accept the medical reason.

What if I am over 70 years old?

Some states automatically excuse people over a certain age, usually 70 or 75, but this varies by jurisdiction. Check your summons or call the court clerk to ask whether age-based excusal applies in your court. If it does, you may still need to request it formally.

Can I be excused if I already served recently?

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