Disqualifications and exemptions from jury service. A prospective juror is disqualified to serve on a jury if that prospective juror is not a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age and a resident of the county, or is unable to read, speak and understand the English language.
Failure to complete and return a jury questionnaire, providing false information on the questionnaire, or using vulgar or profane language in response to a jury questionnaire subjects a citizen to show cause proceeding for contempt of court.
Predictable Outcomes: Judges' decisions are generally more predictable than those of a jury, in which emotions or personal biases can sway. If, for example, you're assigned a judge with a record of showing leniency for mitigating circumstances, your attorney might recommend waiving the jury trial.
By law, the courts will excuse from jury duty anyone with a mental or physical condition that would keep them from serving as a juror. There is not an exemption based on age, but you may request to be excused if you have a hardship that would make it difficult to serve.
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.
Failure to complete and return a jury questionnaire, providing false information on the questionnaire, or using vulgar or profane language in response to a jury questionnaire subjects a citizen to show cause proceeding for contempt of court.
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.
Any party may demand a trial by jury of any issue triable of right by a jury by (1) serving upon the other parties a demand therefor in writing at any time after the commencement of the action and not later than 10 days after the service of the last pleading directed to such issue, and (2) filing the demand as required ...
Call the Suffolk County Commissioner of Jurors office upon receipt of this notice at 631-852-2305 or TDD 631-852-2766.
Sole parents, main breadwinners, leader on a big project at work, physical or mental disabilities that may impede your attendance... these things will almost always get you out of Jury Duty, though you should try to bring documentation of some kind to prove it.