HOW DO I REQUEST A POSTPONEMENT OF MY JURY SERVICE?

Pick one of the three options below that best describes your situation and follow the instructions.      Am I eligible to be permanently excused?

I have not yet responded to my summons...AND my service is at least one week away: 

Please return the Jury Information Form found on the lower portion of your summons.  You will find instructions for requesting a postponement on the back of the form.  Follow the call-in instructions on your summons to determine if your request was granted.

OR

I have already responded to my summons...AND it is NOT after noon on the Friday prior to my reporting date.  Nor is it the weekend prior to my reporting date:

Please contact the jury staff explaining your hardship and indicate a month in the near future that you are available to serve.  Also, be sure to type out your name and include your 9-digit Juror Participant Number.  Do not assume your postponement request was received and granted without calling as instructed on the back side of your summons.

OR

It is the weekend (after noon on Friday or anytime Saturday or Sunday or holiday) prior to my reporting date:

It is too late to request a postponement UNLESS you have a medical or family emergency.  You must report if instructed to do so.  You will be given the opportunity, during jury selection, to explain your circumstances to the trial judge and request that you not be chosen as a juror.

If you have a family or medical emergency, please contact us.  You can e-mail us now or call after 8:00 a.m. on the day of trial.  You may not hear back from us right away, but please consider yourself excused from reporting.

AM I ELIGIBLE TO BE PERMANENTLY EXCUSED?

Voluntary Permanent Excuse

Upon written request, you may be permanently excused if you fall under any of the following categories.

70 years of Age or Older

You must be at least 70 years of age by the time of your summons date.  Specify your age and date of birth in writing.

Prior Federal Jury Service

You must have served Federal jury service at a U.S. District Court within the last two years.  Give name of court and dates of service.  Note that this does not apply to serving other than in Federal court, such as state, county, or local government courts.

Volunteer Firefighter or Member of a Rescue Squad or Ambulance Crew

You must serve without compensation for a federal, state, or local government agency in this capacity.  Describe your service and specify the agency for which you work in writing.

Disqualification from Serving

You may be disqualified or exempt from serving if you fall into any of the following categories.  If you are summoned and think you might not be eligible to serve, please contact the court immediately.

Permanent Medical Condition

A doctor's letter is not required as long as you explain in writing and the court agrees with your statement.  Also, if an accommodation can be made by the court (and you wish to serve), please make your request in writing so that we can attempt to assist you.

Moved Out-Of-District

If you do not live in one of the 19 counties that make up our district, then you are no longer eligible to serve.

Pending Criminal Charges or Criminal Conviction

If you have pending criminal charges or a conviction where punishment could be imprisonment of one year or more, then you may not be eligible to serve. 

Difficulty Understanding the English Language

You may not be eligible to serve if you have difficulty reading, writing, speaking or understanding the English language.

Exempt Occupation

There are three occupations where you are exempt from serving as a juror:

• Full-time Public official of the United States, state, or local government who is elected to public office or directly appointed by one elected to office;
• Full-time member of any governmental police or regular fire department;
• Member of active service of the armed forces of the United States.

Citizenship

You are not a U.S. Citizen of the United States.

Age

You are under 18 years of age.