Medical conditions, deafness, difficult sitting for long periods, people who know the defendant or officers, people who've been victims of crimes, financial hardship, and more will be excused. Depending on the county, they might call 100 people to select just 12.
Medical conditions, deafness, difficult sitting for long periods, people who know the defendant or officers, people who've been victims of crimes, financial hardship, and more will be excused. Depending on the county, they might call 100 people to select just 12.
The jury selection process is known as voir dire. During this process, the judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney will ask you questions. Generally, the best way to avoid being picked is to express strong opinions during questioning. Additionally, sometimes, your career may be enough to get you excused.
What are some of the best excuses people have used when they didn't want to show up for jury duty? You are not fluent in English. You are disabled, evidenced by a physician's attestation. You are hospitalized, again evidenced by a physician's attestation.
You must follow the directions in the “Juror Excusal Statement” portion of your summons in order to be excused for either category. Potential jurors who have a request for exemption, or other hardship/conflict/deferral, MUST submit that request BEFORE the registration date deadline.
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).
Adorn yourself in attire more suited for a day of sightseeing than a courtroom setting. Think Hawaiian shirts, oversized sunglasses, and perhaps a camera slung around your neck for good measure. This look whispers, “I'm just passing through,” potentially making you less appealing to those seeking focused jurors.
If you have been convicted of a felony when the conviction has not been set aside or a pardon issued. If you are a judge, clerk of a district court, a sheriff, or a jailer. If your spouse has been summoned for the same jury panel. If you or your spouse have a pending jury trial in any court.
If you are requesting a medical excuse, you must furnish a doctors note stating what your condition is and if it is permanent or temporary. Please send the doctors note back to the above address together with your original summons.
The commissioner of jurors may bring a noncompliance proceeding against a person who fails to respond to the juror qualification questionnaire or summons to appear for jury service by serving upon such person, either personally or by first-class mail, a notice of noncompliance in a form prescribed by the Chief ...