Summoned for jury duty? These 12 excuses might help you get out of it in Texas
Jury duty is a requirement for all Americans when asked to serve, even if it causes you to miss work.
But there are several excuses that courts recognize to get you out of it.
Here’s what Texas law says.
“If you are qualified to serve and you do not ask to be excused or exempted, you will be able to participate in the jury selection process,” according to the Texas Judicial Branch.
You can ask to be excused from jury duty if you:
- Are older than 75 (a permanent exemption from the age of 75 may be requested).
- Possess legal custody of a kid under the age of twelve, and your jury duty forces you to leave the child alone
- Attend a secondary school, either public or private.
- Are a student currently enrolled and attending a higher education institution.
Are a member of the legislative branch of government as an officer or staff member of the senate, house of representatives, or any department, commission, board, office, or other agency.
Have served as a county petit juror in the 24 months prior to the date on which you are required to appear for this summons.
Are the primary caregiver for an individual who is unable to take care of himself (healthcare workers are not excluded from this requirement).
Possess a jury summons for a county with a minimum population of 250,000 people, and you have completed your petit juror duty in the county in the three years prior to your scheduled jury service appearance.
Are an active duty member of the United States Military Forces deployed from your home station outside of your county of residence (this does not apply if the jury wheel has been reconstructed during your petit juror service).
The courts also list physical or mental impairment, inability to comprehend English, and religious holidays as legitimate excuses. Personal hardship also qualifies as an excuse but it must be verifiable, according to the law office of Bryan Fagan.
Examples of personal hardship include:
- Caring for a dependent child or elderly relative.
- Facing severe financial difficulties.
- Experiencing undue emotional or psychological stress due to jury service.
Jury duty can also be postponed, according to Texas law. If you think you have a good cause not to serve on the jury, follow these steps to request an excuse:
Create a request in writing
Make sure that everything about your condition relevant to your request is included in a clear, succinct manner. Depending on the basis for your request, documentation such as medical records, letters from employers, or other supporting evidence may be required.
Send your request
Address it to the court that issued your jury duty summons. Make sure you adhere to the precise guidelines outlined in your jury service summons about the location and method of submitting your request.
Wait for an answer
The court will examine your request and any supporting materials and decide whether or not to grant you an exemption. It’s crucial to exercise patience throughout this procedure because it can take the court some time to make a decision.
Follow court directions
The court will advise you on what to do if your motion for an excuse is granted. Pay close attention to these guidelines so that you can rapidly complete any remaining tasks.
Keep documents up to date
It is essential to keep thorough records of all correspondence with the court during the excusal procedure. This includes copies of your excusal request, any supporting evidence, and any court communication.
