If you want to get out of jury duty in Florida, you have two legitimate routes: qualify for a statutory excuse, or request a postponement of up to six months. Both require you to respond to the summons on time. Ignoring it exposes you to a fine and possible contempt of court, so whatever you decide, do it in writing through the clerk who summoned you.
Statutory Excuses That Actually Work
Florida law lists specific categories of people who can be excused on request. If you fall into one of them, say so when you respond to the summons and provide any documentation the clerk asks for.1Florida Senate. Florida Code 40.013 – Persons Disqualified or Excused From Jury Service
Age 70 or Older
Anyone 70 or older can be excused from a particular summons on request. You can also submit a written request for a permanent excuse that removes you from the jury pool for good. It is the only permanent excuse Florida offers on request.
Expectant Mothers and Some Parents
Expectant mothers are excused on request, no matter their employment status. Parents who are not employed full-time and have custody of a child under six also qualify. A full-time working parent of a young child does not fit this excuse, and that surprises people. Florida has no separate breastfeeding excuse; a nursing mother who works full-time would not qualify under this section.
Full-Time Students Ages 18 to 21
Full-time students between 18 and 21 attending a high school, state university, Florida College System institution, private postsecondary school, or career center can be excused on request. The excuse covers that single summons. You can be called again in a later term.
Law Enforcement Officers
Full-time federal, state, or local law enforcement officers and investigative personnel with arrest powers are automatically excused unless they volunteer to serve. Respond to the summons and identify yourself in that category.
Permanent Physical or Mental Incapacity
Someone who is permanently unable to care for themselves due to mental illness, intellectual disability, senility, or another physical or mental condition can be excused with a written statement from a physician.
Recent Jury Service in the Same County
If you reported for jury duty in your county within the past year, you are exempt for one year from the last day of that service. The court should catch this, but contact the clerk to confirm if you think it applies.
Attorneys, Physicians, and the Physically Infirm
Practicing attorneys, practicing physicians, and people who are physically infirm can be excused at the presiding judge’s discretion. These are not guaranteed on request. The judge decides.
Who Can’t Serve at All
Some people are legally barred from serving rather than merely excused. Anyone currently facing criminal charges, or anyone with a felony conviction whose civil rights have not been restored, is disqualified. So are the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Cabinet officers, clerks of court, and judges.1Florida Senate. Florida Code 40.013 – Persons Disqualified or Excused From Jury Service Eligibility also requires that you be at least 18, a U.S. citizen, and a legal resident of Florida and the county that summoned you.2Florida Senate. Florida Code 40.011 – Jury Lists If any disqualification fits you, respond to the summons and explain which one. The court will remove you from the pool.
Postponing When No Excuse Fits
Bad timing is not a statutory excuse, but it is a valid reason to postpone. Any person summoned in Florida can postpone service for up to six months by written or oral request. During a declared state of emergency or public health emergency, that window extends to 12 months.3Florida Senate. Florida Code 40 – Jury Duty
You can propose a new date, and the court will take your preference into account when rescheduling. Common reasons include work conflicts, pre-planned travel, medical appointments, and family obligations. Some counties grant the first postponement automatically and only ask for documentation on further requests.
Two limits to keep in mind. Many counties allow just one postponement per summons. Some online systems require the new date to be at least 30 days out. If you have already postponed once and need to do it again, be prepared to show genuine hardship.
How to Submit the Request
Your summons is the roadmap. It lists the clerk’s contact information, your juror ID number, and instructions for responding. Most Florida counties now offer an online portal for excusal and postponement requests.
You will need the juror ID printed on the summons, your contact information, the reason for your request, and supporting documentation if the reason calls for it. A doctor’s note covers medical excuses, a class schedule works for students, and a travel itinerary supports a pre-planned trip.
Deadlines vary by county. Some require your request at least 10 days before your report date; others accept requests as late as three business days out.4Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. Orange County Jury Service The safe move is to respond the day the summons arrives. A missed deadline puts you in the same spot as someone who never responded.
Asking the Judge at Voir Dire
If you end up reporting and are called into a courtroom for jury selection, the judge and attorneys will question you about your background, biases, and ability to be fair. This is where many people who did not qualify for a statutory excuse actually get released. If service would create real hardship you could not resolve by postponing, tell the judge directly. A medical procedure, an unpostponable caregiving duty, or severe financial strain can all be grounds. Judges have broad discretion to excuse jurors for cause during selection.
Florida counties generally require one day or one trial. If you are not selected for a panel on your report day, your obligation is usually done.
What Happens If You Just Skip It
Do not ignore the summons. Anyone who fails to attend after being properly summoned, with no sufficient excuse, can be fined up to $100 by the court that issued the summons.3Florida Senate. Florida Code 40 – Jury Duty The court can also treat your absence as contempt, which carries its own sanctions and can be more serious than the fine.
Most courts will try to contact you and reschedule before imposing penalties. That patience runs out if you keep ignoring them. Requesting a postponement, even if no excuse fits, keeps you in good standing and buys up to six months.
Watch Out for Missed Jury Duty Scams
Scammers call people claiming they missed jury duty and face immediate arrest, then demand payment by gift card, payment app, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer. They often pose as U.S. Marshals or local police. A real court will never call and demand payment over the phone, and no government agency will ask for your Social Security number during an unsolicited call.5Federal Trade Commission. That Call or Email Saying You Missed Jury Duty and Need to Pay? Its a Scam If you are genuinely worried you missed a summons, hang up and call the clerk of the circuit court in your county using the number listed on the court’s official website.