How can you get out of serving Jury Duty?

Question

How have you gotten out of it before? What ways can you? I do in fact have to take my child to school and pick him up, is that an excuse?

Answer 1

My husband is a policeman, so they pretty much disqualify me as soon as I walk in the room. Otherwise, when they start questioning you, give answers like "kill em' all" (well, maybe not those exact words) but they won't keep anyone who has the mindset along those lines.

Answer 2

No, that would not be an excuse. I'm in a similar situation- the mother of a young child, with similar obligations.

I was served with a jury duty notice a few months back and could not get out of it. The most I was offered was a postponement to give me time to make arrangements for my child.

There's usually a screen out process in which the prosecutor and defense attorneys asks each potential jury a series of question to determine if the jury is suitable. It was a criminal case where the guy, who had been serving time for a drug sale crime, committed another crime while in jail. The guy looked to be about 18, if that. So I told the prosecutor that I wouldn't be able to be able to be objective and I was excused.

Depending on the case, if you oppose the dealth penalty or oppose jail time to rehabilitation or (in the case of civil courts) have issues with abortion or anything controversial- you won't be chosen. Those laywers won't choose someone who will complicate the case at all.

Answer 3

It is possible to get out of Jury Duty if you DO NOT work. Since you have a child to take to school and pick up that can be an excuse. But that excuse can most likely be accepted only if you DO NOT work. They think if you work than you obviously have the time to come to Jury Duty.

Answer 4

No - that would not be an excuse.

But you can legally do this and get out of Jury Duty.

If the case involves a Crime and is thus a "Criminal Case" you will asked on Voire Dire (The Attorneys right to question you to determine whether or not you are "fit" for being a juror in this case - "Can you render a fair and unbiased opinion or verdict in this case"?

If it is the Prosecutor that is asking this - say No because you do not trust police officers or if it involves the death penalty - that you do not believe in the Death Penalty!

If it is the Defendant's Attorney that asks you this say No! The Defendant must be guilty otherwise the Police would have never arrested him!

I think you get the drift!

If it is a Civil Trial involved you can say that you will be biased because you are in favor of Large Companys, You hate large Companys, etc, the Defendant/Plaintiff looks like they can not be trusted, etc. or anything else that would go against the position of the Plaintiff or Defendant's Attorney!

They will have you excused in a Heart Beat!

I got out of a Jury Trial as Juror one time by telling the Defendant's Attorney that if the Police arrested him he must have been selling the Drugs he was arrested for!

BINGO!

Good Luck!

Answer 5

I know a woman who was called for jury duty who had made several racial and other biased comments to me while I was was a trial assistant. I brought these comments to the judges attention and he put her on the stand and questioned her..... she sat on three trials that week, all the defense Attorneys wanted her (great for appeals) don't listen to these people. A bias may or may not get you off... And you may embarrass yourself!

Many judges are sympathetic, but the truth is almost everyone wants out for familial or personal engagments. Speaking of engagements I've even seen a judge that refused to let a bride out of Jury Duty when her wedding was planned for over a year. I thought that was awful, however she did not call off the wedding and a plea bargain mid-trial worked in her favor. (she was very lucky)

I agree with other posters that you should be proud and perform your civic duty, but an undue hardship is an undue hardship. The judge will probably take into account your personal sittuation and make a fair judgment call on the matter....

Good Luck

Answer 6

I feel the harder you TRY to get on the jury, the more you wont. People who tell me they want to serve, never get on. People who seemed to be against it, always get long trials.

I have jury duty this week and I am a freelancer. They will ask about hardships. Picking up a child is not a hardship unless he is disabled or requires special attention. The court wont bankrupt you but they wont make u starve!

Answer 7

Taking and picking a child at school is not a valid excuse for jury duty. You must cite other acceptable reasons to validly not attend jury duty.

Answer 8

There is a date and time when you can go to the court and try to get out of jury duty. This date will be listed on your jury summons. Go to the courthouse on that date, and explain your situation. If the judge thinks that you have a good enough excuse, he/she will let you off the hook.

Answer 9

If you were charged with a crime you would want a jury of your peers, right? Suppose everyone wanted out of jury duty and were allowed to do so. Would there be enough jurors for your trial? No. Everyone, under the Constitution, is entitled to trial by jury. So just make arrangements to have someone else pick your kid up at school and due your Constitutional duty.

Answer 10

Stop being a citizen. Move out of the country. Become a felon.

Seriously -- the point of jury duty is that the Constitution guarantees everyone who is facing jail time the right to a trial by a jury drawn from the community. It's obvious that enough qualified people aren't going to volunteer. So, there's a draft.

That's the price we pay for having a jury system.

Answer 11

The best quote I can give you is from the West Wing (awesome show in its prime)- its from Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman to his assistant Donna-
"If you don't serve jury duty, you can't complain about the OJ trial"
That may not be the exact words...but thats the gist.
I'd say try to find a way to get your kid to school somehow, but try to serve, its the least you can do for your country.