Who is exempt from jury duty?

People use "exempt" loosely, but courts separate three ideas: whether you're qualified to serve at all, whether you're exempt (barred or excused by law because of your role), and whether you can be excused because of hardship or because you belong to a group the court lets opt out. Federal rules are set by the Jury Selection and Service Act. State rules are set by each state.

Federal qualifications

According to the U.S. Courts, to be legally qualified for federal jury service you must:

• be a U.S. citizen;
• be at least 18;
• have lived primarily in the judicial district for at least one year;
• be able to adequately read, write, understand, and speak English;
• have no disqualifying mental or physical condition that can't be addressed with an accommodation;
• not currently face felony charges punishable by more than a year in prison; and
• never have been convicted of a felony, unless your civil rights have been legally restored or were never lost.

If you don't meet these, say so honestly on the qualification questionnaire.

Federal exemptions

The U.S. Courts list three groups that are exempt from federal jury service and barred from serving even if they'd like to:

1. members of the armed forces and National Guard on active duty;
2. members of professional (not volunteer) fire and police departments; and
3. "public officers" of federal, state, or local government who are actively engaged full-time in public duties.

Federal excuses on request

Most federal district courts offer permanent excuses, on individual request, to designated groups for whom service would be an undue hardship. The U.S. Courts give examples: people over 70, people who have served on a federal jury in the past two years, and volunteer firefighters or members of a rescue squad or ambulance crew. The lists vary by district, because each court has its own jury plan. Courts may also grant temporary deferrals or excusals for "undue hardship or extreme inconvenience." These are at the court's discretion and can't be appealed.

State rules differ

Each state writes its own list. As one example, Virginia's code has separate sections for people who are exempt from jury service, for people exempt on request, and for deferring or limiting service for particular occupational inconvenience or for people with legal custody of and responsibility for a child. Some states have no automatic exemptions and handle everything as case-by-case excuses. Others set an age at which you can opt out. Check your state's official jury page or the back of your summons.

How to claim an exemption or excuse

Follow the instructions on the summons or questionnaire. Many have a section where you mark the ground and attach proof. If you're asking for a hardship excuse, explain it clearly and briefly. Our letter builder can help. Until the court confirms, assume you still need to report.