Jury Information

 

Permanent Excuse/Exemption From Jury Service

The statutory qualifications for federal jury service (28 U.S.C.§1865) are:
QUALIFICATIONS FOR FEDERAL JURY SERVICE:

(1) Must be a citizen of the United States of America, at least 18 years of age, who has resided for a period of 1 year within the judicial district;

(2) Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language;

(3) Must be physically and mentally capable to render satisfactory jury service; and

(4) Must not have felony charge(s) pending against you, or have been convicted of a felony and your civil rights have not been restored.


If you do not meet all the qualifications for federal jury service, please notify the Court in writing.

The Jury Act, at 28 U.S.C.§1863(b)(5)(A), permits excusal of certain groups of persons only if the Court finds that any member of such groups would suffer “undue hardship or extreme inconvenience” if required to perform jury service.

There are certain categories of persons who, upon their specific written request, may be excused from service as a juror. If you are a person in one of the categories and you wish to be excused, please send a written request (by U.S. Mail or by using the electronic excuse form on this website) to the Jury Staff in the division where your jury service is to take place. Of course, if you wish to serve and meet the statutory qualifications, you are welcome to do so and need not contact the Court prior to your summons date.

GROUNDS FOR REQUESTING PERMANENT EXCUSE:

(1) Persons over 70 years of age or older;

(2) Persons having active care and custody of a child or children under ten years of age whose health and/or safety would be jeopardized by their absence for jury service; or

(3) Persons who are essential to the care of aged or infirm persons;

(4) Persons who have, within the past two years, served on a federal grand or petit jury panel (see 28 U.S.C.§1866(e));

(5) Voluntary safety personnel serving a public agency as a non-compensated firefighter or a member of an ambulance or rescue squad.

(6) Persons with arrest powers who are not otherwise exempt pursuant to Section 7.04 of the USDC-MDFL Jury Plan.

The Jury Act, at 28 U.S.C.§1863(b)(5)(B), specifies that the following persons are barred from jury service on the grounds that they are exempt:

EXEMPTIONS:

(1) Members in active service of the Armed Forces of the United States;

(2) Members of any governmental fire or police departments;

(3) Public officers of the United States, state, or local government (elected to public office or directly appointed by one elected to office) who are actively engaged in the performance of official duties.

If you fall in one of these exemption categories, please send that information in writing to the Jury Staff in the division where your jury service is to take place.

     

 

Important Notices For Jurors - Please Read

Check Your Status

Request An Excuse

Jury Information Sheet

Jury Staff Contact

Juror Exit Questionnaire

Drawing of Names for Jury Service

Jury Summons Information

Qualification Questionnaire