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.
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.
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.
If you cannot serve even if granted a postponement, you may contact your local commissioner of jurors office and ask to be excused from service. The commissioner may ask you to provide documentary proof of the reasons why you need to be excused.
Jurors who lie to get on a jury can be charged with such offenses as contempt of court and obstruction of justice. Background checks are increasingly being used to catch jurors who lie about their criminal records.
You have a medical condition or disability A diagnosis of your mental or physical condition. A prognosis of how long the condition is expected to exist. A conclusion stating that you are incapable of serving as a juror currently or in the future.
The same rules apply to trial jury and to grand jury service. Who must report? There are no automatic exemptions or excuses from jury service in New York State. Everyone who is eligible must serve.
In most criminal trials, including murder cases, a unanimous verdict is typically required. This means that all 12 members of the jury must agree on a verdict for it to be valid. If even one juror dissents and cannot agree with the majority, the jury is considered "hung," and a mistrial may be declared.
If you cannot serve even if granted a postponement, you may contact your local commissioner of jurors office and ask to be excused from service. The commissioner may ask you to provide documentary proof of the reasons why you need to be excused.