You can request to be excused or postponed, but the court decides whether to grant it
New Jersey courts do not automatically excuse you from jury duty based on inconvenience alone. You must submit a written request to the court explaining why you cannot serve, and a judge will decide whether your reason is substantial enough. The court recognizes certain hardships — medical conditions, caregiving responsibilities, financial strain, pre-planned travel — but you need to document your situation and submit it before your service date.
The process differs depending on whether you want to be excused entirely or postponed to a later date. Both require you to contact the court in writing, but postponement is often easier to obtain because you are not asking to avoid jury duty permanently, only to delay it.
Key Takeaways
- Submit a written request to the court before your jury duty date, explaining your hardship with supporting documents like medical records or proof of caregiving.
- Postponement is typically granted more readily than permanent excusal, and you can request to serve at a time that works better for you.
- Ignoring a jury summons or failing to respond can result in fines up to $1,000 and contempt of court charges in New Jersey.
- The court clerk's office can tell you the deadline for submitting your request and what documents strengthen your case.
- Medical hardship, caregiving for dependents, and severe financial burden are the most commonly accepted reasons for excusal.
How to submit a request for postponement or excusal
Contact the court clerk's office in the county where you received your summons. You will find the phone number on the summons itself. Call as soon as you know you have a conflict — do not wait until your service date. The clerk can tell you whether your situation qualifies for postponement or excusal and what documents you need to include.
Write a letter to the judge explaining your hardship. Be specific: instead of "I have a medical condition," write "I have stage 3 kidney disease requiring dialysis three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays." Instead of "I cannot afford to miss work," explain your financial situation — for example, "I am paid hourly with no paid leave, and missing one week of work would cost me approximately $800, which I cannot absorb." Attach supporting documents: a doctor's letter on letterhead, a caregiver's statement, proof of pre-paid travel, or a letter from your employer confirming your financial hardship.
Mail or deliver your request to the court clerk's office before the deadline listed on your summons. Keep a copy for your records. The court will respond in writing, usually within two to three weeks, telling you whether your request was granted.
Reasons the court commonly accepts for postponement
Postponement is the easier path because you are not asking to avoid jury duty — you are asking to serve at a different time. New Jersey courts grant postponement for pre-planned travel, work commitments that cannot be rescheduled, and temporary caregiving situations. If you have a vacation booked, a work conference, or a family event that conflicts with your jury date, request postponement to a date after that event.
You do not need extensive documentation for postponement. A brief explanation and proof of your conflict — a plane ticket, a work calendar, or a letter from your employer — is usually sufficient. The court will offer you a new date, typically several months later.
Reasons the court commonly accepts for permanent excusal
Permanent excusal is harder to obtain because the court views jury duty as a civic obligation. However, New Jersey recognizes certain hardships as legitimate grounds. Medical conditions that prevent you from sitting for long periods, mental health conditions that make courtroom participation impossible, or caregiving responsibilities for a dependent with no alternative care are the strongest cases.
Financial hardship alone is not usually enough, but extreme circumstances can may have access to. If you are self-employed and missing jury duty would cause you to lose your business, or if you are the sole income earner for a household and cannot afford unpaid time off, document this thoroughly. Include tax returns, bank statements, or a letter from your employer explaining your situation.
Age can be a factor. If you are over 75, you can request excusal, though the court may ask you to serve for a shorter period instead. Caregiving for a child, elderly parent, or disabled family member with no one else available to provide care is often accepted, especially with a letter from the person you care for or their healthcare provider.
What happens if you ignore your summons
Ignoring a jury summons is not a way to get out of jury duty — it is a violation of court order. In New Jersey, failure to respond to a summons can result in a fine up to $1,000 and contempt of court charges. The court can also issue a bench warrant for your arrest if you do not appear and do not respond to the summons.
If you miss your jury date without notifying the court, the judge may hold you in contempt. You will then have to appear before the judge to explain your absence. At that point, your only option is to ask for forgiveness and explain your hardship — but you will be doing so from a position of legal jeopardy rather than as a proactive request.
The difference between excusal and postponement
| Request Type | What It Means | Approval Rate | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postponement | Serve at a later date instead of your assigned date | High — usually granted | You have a temporary conflict: vacation, work event, or short-term caregiving |
| Excusal | Released from jury duty entirely, no future date assigned | Low — requires substantial hardship | You have a permanent or long-term condition: chronic illness, ongoing caregiving, or severe financial hardship |
What to include in your written request
Your letter should be brief but complete. Start with your juror number (on your summons), your name, and the trial date you cannot attend. Explain your hardship in one or two paragraphs, using specific details. Then list your attachments: doctor's letter, employer statement, proof of travel, or financial documents.
Do not exaggerate or lie. The court can verify claims, and dishonesty can result in perjury charges. Do not ask for excusal because you do not want to serve — the court expects all citizens to serve unless they have a genuine hardship. Do not submit your request on the day of jury duty; submit it as soon as you receive your summons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request postponement multiple times?
You can request postponement once or twice, but the court will not postpone indefinitely. If you request postponement and then request excusal when your new date arrives, the court may be less sympathetic. If you have a genuine long-term hardship, request excusal the first time rather than postponing repeatedly.
What if I have a job that does not allow unpaid time off?
Many employers are required by law to allow employees time for jury duty, though they do not have to pay you. If your employer refuses to allow you to serve, bring a letter from your employer stating this. If you are self-employed or hourly with no paid leave, explain the financial impact in your request with supporting documents like tax returns or pay stubs.
Do I have to tell my employer about my jury summons?
You do not have to tell your employer immediately, but if you are selected for trial, your employer must allow you to serve. If you are concerned about your job, you can request postponement to a time that works better for your workplace, or explain the situation to your employer and ask them to write a letter supporting your request for excusal.
What if I have a medical condition but no doctor's letter?
Call the court clerk and explain your situation. Ask whether you can submit a request without a letter first, or whether the court will accept a phone call from your doctor. Some courts will accept a brief statement from you if obtaining a formal letter is difficult. The stronger your documentation, the more likely the court will grant your request.
Can I be excused if I have already served on a jury recently?
Recent jury service is not automatic grounds for excusal, but you can mention it in your request. New Jersey does not have a set waiting period between jury duties, so the court may postpone you instead of excusing you. Include this information in your letter and ask to be postponed until a reasonable time has passed.