Who can be excused from jury service?

N.J.S.A. 2B:20-10 sets forth grounds for which a person can request to be excused from jury service. You may request to be excused from jury service you if fall into one of the categories below.

• You are 75 years of age or older.
  You will be required to provide your DOB the Jury Management Office.
   
• You have served as a juror in the same county within the last three years.
  You will be required to provide the date you served.
   
• You believe that you will suffer a severe financial hardship.
  In order to be excused for financial reasons, you must show that serving as a juror will cause a severe financial hardship that will compromise your ability to support yourself and/or your dependents. You will also be required to submit to the Jury Management Office a certification (sworn statement) listing the sources of your household income; whether you will be paid during jury service; and the impact of the length of service. 
  
  Jurors who report for service may speak with the trial judge regarding any financial hardships based on the anticipated length of the trial.
   
• You have a medical inability to serve as a juror.
  If you suffer from a medical condition that is unlikely to change within a year, and this condition prevents you from serving on jury duty, you may request to be excused or rescheduled. You and your doctor will be required to complete the Physician certification in Support of Medical Excuse Request certification. The Judiciary will also accept a note from a doctor that states the juror has a medical condition and the duration that this condition prevents them from serving jury duty. The court may request additional, non-confidential information if necessary to determine a request for an excusal.
   
• You care for a minor child, or a sick, aged, or infirm dependent, and have no alternative care available without suffering severe financial hardship.
  When requesting to be excused for any of these circumstances, keep in mind that the Jury Management Office will grant you time to arrange for alternative care. Please be aware that the Judiciary will accommodate mothers who are breastfeeding and will provide a suitable private location for their use during the day. 
  
  The Jury Management Office will also require supplemental documentation for excusal requests as indicated below:
  • If you are requesting an excuse based upon a personal obligation to care for a sick, aged, or infirm dependent, you must submit a doctor’s note from a licensed physician stating that you are the sole caregiver and your continued presence is essential to the regular and personal treatment of that person.
     
  • If you are requesting an excuse based upon a personal obligation to care for a minor child or children, you must submit to the Jury Management Office the certification which states you are personally obligated to care for the minor child(ren). By completing this certification, you acknowledge that the court may require further information and/or financial documentation in support of the request.
     
• You provide highly specialized technical healthcare services for which a replacement cannot reasonably be obtained.
  The Jury Management Office will require proof of licensing as a healthcare provider and a letter from your employer verifying that no coverage can be reasonably obtained.
   
• You are a healthcare worker directly involved in the care of a person with a mental or physical disability, and your continued presence is essential to the regular and personal treatment of that person.
  You will be required to provide a letter from your employer verifying that your continued presence is essential to the regular and personal treatment of the person.
   
• You are full-time teacher of a grammar/high school during the school year for which a replacement cannot be reasonably obtained.
  Teachers who cannot find a replacement may ask to reschedule their jury service.
  You will be required to submit a letter from your school superintendent confirming you are full time instructional staff and indicating either an excuse is necessary due to the volume of teachers called at the time or you are a special education teacher and it is essential for you to be in attendance. 
   
• You are an active member of a volunteer fire department, fire patrol, first aid or rescue squad.
  The Jury Management Office will require a letter on letterhead from your fire captain/EMT squad captain; or identification showing active volunteer status (must not be expired).
   
• You are on active duty as a member of the United States military.
  In order to be excused from jury service, you must be on active duty on the summons date and the military service must be in the United States military, which includes members of the National Guard who are assigned to active duty.
  
  You should provide information relating to your current assignment, such as a copy of your orders, a letter from your commanding officer, or a copy of your ID card indicating an active duty assignment.

The Judiciary thanks you for your service.