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Qualifications, Excuses, and Exemptions

Qualifications

Under 28 U.S.C.§1865, the qualifications for federal jury service include:

  • Must be a citizen of the United States of America, at least 18 years of age, who has resided for a period of one year within the judicial district;
     
  • Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language;
     
  • Must be physically and mentally capable to render satisfactory jury service; and
     
  • 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 have been summoned for jury service and do not meet all of the requirements, submit a statement through
eJUROR.

Excuses

Under 28 U.S.C. § 1863(b)(5)(A), some members of a group may be excused if the court finds that any member would suffer “undue hardship or extreme inconvenience” if required to perform jury service.

Some categories of people, upon their specific written request, may be excused from jury service. If you fit in one of the categories and you want to be excused, send a written request to the jury administrator in the division where your jury service is to take place. Of course, if you wish to serve and you meet the statutory qualifications, you are welcome to do so and need not contact the court before your summons date.

The grounds for a permanent excuse include:

  • Persons 70 years of age or older;
     
  • Persons having active care and custody of a child or children under 10 years of age whose health and/or safety would be jeopardized by their absence for jury service;
     
  • Persons who are essential to the care of aged or infirm persons;
     
  • Persons who have, within the past two years, served on a federal grand or petit jury panel (See 28 U.S.C.§1866(e));
     
  • Voluntary safety personnel serving a public agency as a non-compensated firefighter or a member of an ambulance or rescue squad; or
     
  • Persons with arrest powers who are not otherwise exempt pursuant to Section 7.04 of the Plan for Qualification and Selection of Grand and Petit Jurors (PDF).
 

Exemptions

Under 28 U.S.C. § 1863(b)(6), the following persons are barred from jury service on the grounds that they are exempt:

  • Members in active service of the United States Armed Forces;
     
  • Members of any governmental fire or police departments;
     
  • United States public officers, state or local government-appointed (elected to public office or directly appointed by one elected to office), who are actively engaged in the performance of official duties.

If you have been summoned for jury service and do not meet all of the requirements, submit a request for an exemption through eJUROR.