Answer: If you need to be excused or have your jury service postponed for any length of time, you must complete your questionnaire and mail it along with your written request for excusal immediately. The Court will review your request and you will receive a written response to your request for excuse.
You do have a legal obligation to be truthful wrt the questions that you are asked, and if you lie, you can be charged with perjury. Pretending to be unable to follow the judges instructions is a lie (that is implicit in the word ``pretending''), and you probably can't afford the prison time for perjury.
Reasons for Being Excused from Jury Service Medical reasons. Public necessity. Undue hardship. Dependent care. Student Status. Military conflict. Other reason deemed sufficient by the court.
The grounds for a permanent excuse include: Persons 70 years of age or older; Persons having active care and custody of a child or children under 10 years of age whose health and/or safety would be jeopardized by their absence for jury service; Persons who are essential to the care of aged or infirm persons;
Failing to appear for jury duty can result in a fine of up to $100 as per Section 40.23 of the Florida Statutes. You may also face contempt proceedings, which could result in community service, jail time, or other sanctions.
What happens if I do not appear? Failure to comply with a Jury Summons may result in a $100.00 fine and/or Contempt of Court.
When writing a jury excuse letter, directly state why you cannot serve and how serving would lead to hardship. Valid exemptions include being ill or disabled, being the sole guardian of young children, or being over the age of 70. Include documentation such as a doctor's note or a letter from an employer.
Persons not employed full-time who are responsible for the care of an infirmed or disabled family member. Parents not employed full-time with custody of a child(ren) under 6 years of age. Full-time law enforcement officers or investigators (must have arrest powers) Currently attending school out of county/state.
Prospective jurors are put under oath when they are questioned (subjected to a void dire examination), so any prospective juror who lies could be prosecuted for perjury (a five-year felony in federal court).
Section 40.23 of the Florida Statutes states that “failure to attend as a juror upon being duly summoned may result in a fine not to exceed $100.” If you fail to report for juror service, you will receive a failure to appear letter instructing you to contact the jury department.