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

Ignoring a jury summons carries real consequences — fines ranging from $100 to $1,000 or more, and in some cases jail time for contempt of court. The court takes non-response seriously because jury duty is a legal obligation, not a suggestion. That said, courts do grant requests to be excused or rescheduled, and the process is straightforward if you follow the steps on your summons.

The key is responding to the court before your scheduled date. Most summonses include a phone number, website, or mailing address where you can request postponement or excusal. Ignoring the summons and hoping it goes away is the one approach that will create real problems.

Key Takeaways

  • You must respond to a jury summons by the deadline listed on the document, or you risk fines and contempt charges.
  • Postponement moves your service date to a later time and is usually granted if you request it before your scheduled date.
  • Excusal removes you from jury duty entirely and requires a reason the court accepts — hardship, medical condition, caregiving responsibility, or pre-planned travel.
  • The court decides whether to grant your request; simply stating you do not want to serve is not a valid reason for excusal.
  • If you are selected during jury selection (voir dire), you can still be dismissed if you tell the truth about bias or inability to be fair.

Postponement: Moving your service date to later

Postponement is the easiest path and courts grant it routinely. You are asking the court to reschedule your service to a different date — not to remove you from the jury pool permanently. Most courts allow one or two postponements without requiring a reason, though some ask you to suggest a date when you will be available.

To request postponement, look at your summons for the contact method: a phone number, online portal, or mailing address. Call or submit your request before your scheduled date. Many courts process these requests same-day or within a few days. You will receive a new summons with a different date, usually several months later.

If you postpone once and the new date still does not work, you can usually request a second postponement. After that, courts typically expect you to serve or provide a reason for excusal.

Excusal: Reasons the court will accept

Excusal removes you from jury duty, at least for the current term. The court will grant excusal if you have a legitimate hardship or circumstance that makes service genuinely difficult. Simply not wanting to serve is not enough. Courts hear thousands of these requests and have learned to distinguish between inconvenience and real hardship.

Reasons courts commonly accept include: severe financial hardship (you will lose income and cannot afford it), medical conditions or disabilities that make sitting in court difficult, caregiving responsibilities with no alternative care available, pre-planned travel you cannot reschedule, or age-related limitations. Some courts also excuse people over a certain age — often 70 or 75 — automatically or on request.

When you request excusal, be specific and honest. Explain the actual impact on your life. A letter from your employer stating you will lose pay, a doctor's note about a medical condition, or documentation of caregiving duties carries more weight than a vague statement. The court wants to understand why you cannot serve, not just that you prefer not to.

What happens during jury selection if you are called to the courtroom

If your postponement or excusal request is denied, or if you did not request one, you will be called to the courthouse on your scheduled date. At that point, you enter jury selection — the process where attorneys and the judge question potential jurors to decide who will sit on the jury.

During this questioning (called voir dire), you will be asked about your background, any biases, and whether you can be fair and impartial. If you answer honestly and reveal a genuine conflict — you know the defendant, you have a strong opinion about the case, you cannot take time off work without severe hardship — the judge or an attorney may dismiss you. This is not the same as being excused before trial; you have already shown up and participated in selection.

The goal during voir dire is to answer truthfully. Lying to get out of jury duty can result in perjury charges. If you have a real reason you cannot serve fairly or cannot attend, say so. The court will decide whether to dismiss you.

Deadlines and what happens if you miss them

Your summons lists a deadline to respond — usually 10 to 30 days before your scheduled service date. This is the cutoff for requesting postponement or excusal. If you do not respond by this date, you are expected to appear on your scheduled date.

If you miss the deadline and do not show up, the court may issue a bench warrant for your arrest, fine you, or hold you in contempt. If you have a genuine emergency on your service date, contact the court immediately and explain. Courts are more forgiving of last-minute issues if you reach out rather than simply not appearing.

Some courts allow you to respond online through a portal, by phone, or by mail. Check your summons for the method and deadline specific to your court.

Differences between state and local courts

Jury duty rules vary by state and sometimes by individual courts within a state. Some states allow more postponements than others, some have automatic excusal for people over a certain age, and some have different definitions of hardship. Federal courts tend to have stricter rules than state courts.

The summons you receive will explain your specific court's process. If the instructions are unclear, call the jury duty phone number on the summons and ask. Court staff can tell you what reasons they accept for excusal and whether postponement is available.

What does not work and what can backfire

Lying during voir dire, ignoring the summons, or failing to appear are all treated seriously by courts. Perjury charges, contempt findings, and arrest warrants are real consequences. Some people try to get dismissed by claiming biases they do not actually have, but experienced attorneys and judges recognize this, and it can result in charges.

Showing up late, appearing disheveled, or being rude to the judge during selection may get you dismissed from that particular jury, but it does not excuse you from future service and can create problems with the court. The straightforward approach — responding on time, being honest about genuine hardships, and requesting postponement if needed — works far better than any workaround.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be excused if I have a job and cannot take time off?

Financial hardship is a valid reason, but you need to show the court that missing work will cause real harm. A letter from your employer stating you will lose pay or risk losing your job carries weight. Simply having a job is not enough — many people work and serve on juries. If you will face genuine financial crisis, explain that specifically in your excusal request.

What if I request postponement but the new date still does not work?

You can usually request a second postponement. After that, courts expect you to either serve or provide a reason for excusal. If the second date still conflicts with something unavoidable, explain the conflict in an excusal request and provide documentation if possible.

Do I have to tell the truth during jury selection?

Yes. You are under oath during voir dire, and lying is perjury. If you have a genuine reason you cannot serve fairly or cannot attend, say so. The court will decide whether to dismiss you. Honesty is always safer than attempting to deceive the court.

What happens if I ignore the summons completely?

The court may fine you, issue a bench warrant for your arrest, or hold you in contempt. The amount varies by state and court, but fines can range from $100 to $1,000 or more. If you receive a summons, respond by the deadline even if you need to request postponement or excusal.

Can my employer prevent me from serving on a jury?

No. Federal law prohibits employers from firing or punishing you for jury service. If your employer threatens retaliation, that is illegal. You can mention this to the court if it becomes an issue, but your employer cannot legally prevent you from serving.