If you want to get out of federal jury duty, you have three routes: confirm you fall into one of the narrow automatic exemptions, ask a judge or clerk to excuse you for hardship, or request a deferral to a later date. Exemptions apply on their own once the court verifies your status. Excuses and deferrals are discretionary, which means the court can say no. Ignoring the summons is not a route — it is a path to a fine, jail time, or community service.
The Three Automatic Exemptions
Federal law bars three groups from serving, and none of them has to argue the point. Once the court confirms your status through the juror qualification questionnaire, you are out.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S.C. 1863 – Plan for Random Jury Selection
- Members currently on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States.
- Members of any professional fire or police department at the federal, state, or local level.
- Public officers of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch at any level of government who are actively performing official duties.
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance or rescue squad members are a common point of confusion. They are not exempt under the same rule. They are instead entitled to be excused on individual request, which means the excuse is guaranteed if they ask for it, but they still have to ask.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S.C. 1863 – Plan for Random Jury Selection
Hardship Excuses
If you are not in one of the exempt groups, your remaining option is a hardship excuse. The statute uses the phrase “undue hardship or extreme inconvenience,” and courts interpret that to cover several recurring situations.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S.C. 1869 – Definitions
Primary caregivers often qualify. If you care for young children, an elderly relative, or a disabled family member and there is no realistic alternative arrangement, courts regularly grant excuses. Documentation helps: a short letter explaining who you care for and why substitute care is not available.
Distance from the courthouse counts. The statute references “great distance, either in miles or traveltime,” without setting a specific mileage cutoff, so how far is far enough depends on the particular court and your circumstances.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S.C. 1869 – Definitions
Medical grounds are recognized when a chronic condition makes it impossible to sit through court proceedings for extended periods. A signed statement from a licensed physician is what the court will look for. The letter should say why the condition prevents service without listing every diagnostic detail.
Financial hardship qualifies, especially for self-employed people and small business owners whose income depends directly on their presence at work. For trials or grand jury proceedings expected to run more than 30 days, the court can also weigh whether losing you would cause severe economic hardship to your employer if you are a key employee.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S.C. 1869 – Definitions
Age 70 and Recent Prior Service
Most federal district courts will grant a permanent excuse to anyone over 70 who requests one, but this is not a uniform federal rule. Each of the 94 federal district courts sets its own policy, so whether an age-based excuse is available depends on the court that summoned you. Courts also commonly excuse people who have already served on a federal jury within the past two years.4United States Courts. Juror Qualifications, Exemptions, and Excuses
Ask for a Deferral Instead
Many people who want out of jury duty do not actually need a full excuse. They need a different date. That is a deferral, and it is a much easier request to get approved than an excuse.4United States Courts. Juror Qualifications, Exemptions, and Excuses
A deferral is the right ask if you have a pre-booked vacation, a scheduled surgery with a recovery window, a semester of exams, or a work deadline that will pass in a few weeks. You will serve, but at a later date that fits your schedule. Through the eJuror portal, you can typically pick a preferred future reporting date. Courts grant deferrals and excuses at their discretion, and neither decision can be appealed.
How to Submit the Request
The process starts with the Juror Qualification Questionnaire the court sends with your summons. Most federal courts use the eJuror portal, where you can complete the questionnaire, upload supporting documents, and request a deferral or excuse.5United States Courts. Summoned for Federal Jury Service You can also return the paper form by mail in the envelope included with the summons.
Match your documentation to the reason you are giving:
- Medical excuse: a signed statement from a licensed physician explaining why the condition prevents service.
- Financial or business hardship: a letter from your employer describing the impact of your absence, or documentation of your self-employed income.
- Caregiver excuse: a short statement identifying the person you care for and why substitute care is not available.
- Automatic exemption: proof of active-duty military status or professional fire, police, or government service.
Fill in every field on the questionnaire. Blank sections are one of the most common reasons courts delay or reject requests. Once you submit, the clerk’s office reviews the materials and notifies you of the decision by mail or email.
What Happens If You Ignore the Summons
Failing to respond to a federal jury summons carries real consequences. The district court can order you to appear and explain why you did not comply. If you skip that hearing too, or if the court finds your reason unconvincing, penalties include a fine of up to $1,000, up to three days in jail, community service, or any combination of the three.6Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S.C. 1866 – Selection and Summoning of Jury Panels
Courts often send a follow-up letter before pursuing sanctions, but relying on that grace period is a bad bet. Respond to the summons, even if all you plan to do is ask for an excuse or a deferral.
Situations That Disqualify You Outright
Separately from exemptions and excuses, some conditions disqualify you from federal jury service entirely, and you should note them on the questionnaire when they apply.7Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S.C. 1865 – Qualifications for Jury Service
- You are not a U.S. citizen.
- You are under 18.
- You have not lived in the judicial district for at least one year.
- You cannot read, write, and speak English well enough to follow proceedings and complete court paperwork without help.
- You have a pending felony charge or a felony conviction and your civil rights have not been restored.
- A physical or mental condition would prevent you from serving satisfactorily, as determined by the chief judge based on what you report.
If any of these apply, the questionnaire is where you say so. Disqualification is not something you have to argue for once the underlying facts are documented.