Legal & Money · free generator
Jury Duty Excuse Letter
The summons landed at the worst possible time - you're the only caregiver at home, the only person who can cover your shift, or three weeks out from surgery. Here's what most people don't know: courts grant excusals and deferrals routinely, but almost never to people who simply don't show up, and reliably to people who ask properly, in writing, before their report date. This letter does it the way clerks want to see it: respectful, specific about the hardship, backed by an offer of documentation, and flexible enough to accept a deferral if outright excusal isn't on the table. Fill in your court, summons number, report date, and hardship below, and get it in the mail this week.
[Date]
[Court name]
Attn: Jury Services / Office of the Jury Commissioner
Dear Clerk of the Court,
I am writing regarding my summons for jury service, summons number [Summons or juror number], which directs me to report on [Report date on your summons]. I respectfully request that the court excuse me from service on that date or, in the alternative, defer my service to a later term.
The basis for my request is as follows: [Your hardship (one sentence)]. Reporting on the scheduled date would create a hardship that I cannot reasonably resolve before [Report date on your summons].
I understand the importance of jury service and I am not seeking to avoid my civic duty. If the court is unable to grant an excusal, I would welcome a deferral to a future term and will arrange in advance to be available to serve at that time.
I am prepared to provide documentation supporting this request, including a statement from a physician, employer, or other appropriate party, and I will supply it promptly upon the court's instruction. If the court requires a specific form or any additional information, please let me know and I will respond right away.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Respectfully,
[Your full name]
Three tips before you send
- Send your request as soon as the summons arrives - courts are far more flexible weeks before your report date than days before, and mail processing at a courthouse can be slow.
- Attach documentation up front: a doctor's letter, proof of caregiving, or an employer statement. A request with evidence usually gets granted; a bare request often gets a form-letter denial.
- Check the summons itself first - many courts require excusal requests through their own form or online portal, and this letter becomes the written explanation you attach to it.
Questions people ask
Can I just ignore the summons?
Don't. Ignoring a jury summons can be treated as contempt of court, with consequences ranging from fines to, in some jurisdictions, a bench warrant. Courts are generally reasonable with people who respond and ask for relief - they are much less reasonable with people who simply fail to appear. A respectful written request costs you ten minutes and protects you completely.
Will the court actually let me postpone?
Usually, yes. Most courts routinely grant at least one deferral, often up to six months out, and many let you choose the new date. Deferrals are approved far more often than outright excusals, which is why this letter asks for either. If your conflict is temporary - a work crunch, planned travel, exams - lead with the deferral.
What counts as a valid excuse?
It varies by court, but common grounds include serious medical conditions, being the sole caregiver for a child or dependent adult, extreme financial hardship, advanced age (many courts excuse people over 70 or 75 on request), and recent prior jury service. Check the back of your summons or the court's website for its specific list, and expect to provide documentation.
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