The Best Ways to Get Out of Jury Duty, Legally

Jury duty is a civic responsibility. But some people want to get out of court room jury duty anyway. There reasons for wanting to avoid sitting in a court room and being a juror are varied and include a need to be on their job, or to take care of their small children, or just out of fear of retaliation by the person they will have to sit in judgment of during the trial.

Best Ways to Get Out of Jury Duty: Don't Own Property

To avoid this civic responsibility the legal way, just don't buy property. Owning land makes a person civically responsible for showing up for jury duty. So don't buy land or, if you do, put it in your spouse's name. But just remember: if you divorce, you could end up without your property.

Best Ways to Get Out of Jury Duty: Be Honest

Another legal way to avoid being a juror in some cases is to simply be honest. Sometimes just explaining your particular situation will do the trick. Judges have been known to cut slack to some citizens, especially if it is a high-profile trial that would place an extreme time commitment hardship on the potential juror. This is especially true if the lawyers will have a large pool of jurors in which to make selections.

Best Ways to Get Out of Jury Duty: Tell It Like It Is

Another legitimate route is to just be willing to tell it like it is when the attorneys start the weeding out process. This should be a slam dunk, since either way you are going to tick off one of the two: the prosecutor or the defense attorney. So when the lawyers start questioning prospective jurors to see if they will be for (or against) their position, be sure to answer them forthrightly. Let them know you aren't impartial.

Best Ways to Get Out of Jury Duty: Show You Aren't Unbiased

If you believe in the death penalty, or following the letter of the law, or an eye-for-an-eye justice; say so. I guarantee the defense attorney will do everything in his power to set you free from jury duty if those are your positions. If you would let a murderer rob his own mother blind, then say that. The prosecutor will personally escort you out the door.

Best Ways to Get Out of Jury Duty: Be an Advocate

As you can tell, I definitely don't advocate doing anything immoral or illegal to skip out of jury duty, but I don't think it is for everyone--all the time. But I personally think it is an honor, privilege, and responsibility to get to serve in this way, but that's my opinion. If getting out of jury duty is still your goal, though: be an advocate.

Express yourself very outspokenly during the selection process to anyone who will listen. Tell other potential jurors why you happen to be for (or against) the crime being considered. Speak of anyone you know that has been affected by a similar crime or court trial, and mention any advocacy work you have done for (or against) criminals, or the crime or legal issue in question. Make sure your voice is heard. You'll probably get out of jury duty for sure. You may even get escorted from the building if you're loud enough.

Source

Personal Observation