How to Get Out of Jury Duty Service

With that said, jury duty service is (at least supposedly) an important civic duty that all of us must endure at some point in our lives... Unfortunately, it always seems to come at the worst possible moment -- just after we book that vacation, or get that promotion to a more busy position, or have our first child.

In this case, a postponement can often be requested by phone or online, or in person. Follow the instructions on the jury summons you received in the mail, as the details will vary by county and by state.

Typically, the first postponement is easy to get -- you don't even need a reason, and they will bump your jury service date to somewhere down the line (on average around 4 months or so).

To receive a second postponement, you may need proof of a medical condition that impairs your judgment or affects your ability to serve. A physician's note, signed and dated, will likely be required.

You can try other reasons; you will usually have to speak with someone in the court's administration office.

If all else fails and you end up getting called for jury service, at least it's paid (sometimes). Of course, the pay is absolutely abysmal (in my state, it is $40 per day) and you are expected to be in the courtroom each day from 9 to 5 until the case is closed -- this can take three days, or it can take two weeks.

If your employer pays you while you are on jury duty, you are not eligible for the $40 per day stipend.

The good news in all this, besides the obvious nonsense about "having performed an important duty that assures equal justice for all", is that once you serve as a juror you are usually exempt from having to serve again for quite some time (in my state, it is 4 years, but other states will likely have different rules regarding this).

Interestingly, many courtrooms now allow limited cell phone use and provide Wi-Fi so you can surf the Internet on your laptop while waiting for selection. Definitely bring a laptop or reading material on your first day of selection; otherwise you may be bored out of your mind!

Business casual attire is usually preferred for jury duty service, to respect the court and the people there, but some people prefer to just wear t-shirt and jeans... there is no law (at least in my state) that says you need to wear a shirt and tie when you are serving as a juror.