Jury duty is a lot more than an annoyance that means taking time out of your busy schedule. It is your civic duty and opportunity to help serve justice where necessary.
Still, this does not mean you can always turn up at a court at the drop of a hat. Your family or career obligations may require you to ask for a postponement.
In Oregon, you can also ask for an exemption under certain circumstances. While postponement and exception are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. You can defer your jury duty service (postpone) but cannot always get an exemption.
What Does It Mean to Postpone Jury Duty?
Jury duty postponement or deferral means you cannot serve on a jury at a specific time. But you can schedule your service for a later date. This option is only available if you have a conflicting schedule you cannot get out of.
When Are You Eligible For Postponement?
In Oregon, you can request a postponement for several reasons. These may include:
- Work or school engagements. If you will lose out on specific benefits at work or school should you miss a couple of days at a specific time, you may be able to postpone. You will also likely be able to move your jury duty date if serving on a jury will cause you hardship related to employment or education.
- Travel. If you already planned a vacation or business trip, you can ask for a postponement.
- Medical conditions or illness. If you have a temporary medical issue that prevents you from attending, you can postpone your jury duty date.
- Family obligations. If you are the primary caregiver for a parent or child and cannot find anyone to care for them during your jury duty, you can also postpone the date.
Requesting a Postponement
To postpone your jury duty, you can generally follow these steps:
- Check your summons. Your jury duty notice, which usually comes in the mail, should have instructions on requesting a postponement.
- Be quick about submitting a deferral request. You will likely be allowed to make an online or phone request. You have requested a deferral before your service is due to begin.
- Provide all the necessary information. You cannot defer your jury duty if you cannot provide proof of conflict. For example, you may need to provide evidence of your travel plans or a letter from your employer.
- Choose a new date. In most cases, you must select a new date within the next six months. This will give you enough time to prepare.
Keep in mind that you are only allowed one postponement. If you experience an emergency and cannot attend your next jury duty service, it is up to the court to decide whether it can be deferred again.
What Does Jury Duty Exemption Mean?
Jury duty exemption differs from deferral because it gives you a permanent out from serving jury duty. An exemption usually means you will not be required to serve at all.
When Do You Qualify for an Exemption?
If you want to be excused from jury duty, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- You must be 70 or older. (You must still notify the court).
- You must have a permanent medical condition that prevents you from serving. In this instance, you will likely need a doctor’s note or medical certificate as proof.
- You must be a U.S. and local citizen of the county you were summoned. If you are not, you are automatically ineligible to serve jury duty. You should also notify the court if this is the case.
- If you have a felony conviction and are on probation or parole, you cannot serve jury duty. When these processes are complete, you may have your rights restored and be able to serve. If you are a convicted felon and your rights are not restored, you will be permanently disqualified.
- If serving as a jury member will cause you ongoing financial or personal hardship, the court may also grant an exception. The same applies if servicing will cause you medical hardship. Keep in mind that you will also have to provide proof.
Requesting an Exemption
Requesting an exemption is much the same process as requesting a deferral. You must review your summons for instructions and submit a written request. You can do this online or in person.
It is important to provide all the supporting documents the court wants. This could include anything from medical records to proof of hardship.
Keep in mind that exemptions are not guaranteed. You will have to wait to hear from the court about what has been decided in your case.
Most Important Differences to Remember
Remember the differences between deferral and exemption whenever you want to get out of jury duty.
- Deferral or postponement moves your service to a later date. The exemption can excuse you permanently or temporarily.
- If you have a temporary conflict, you can ask for a deferral. If you suffer any hardship, you may be excused permanently.
- You sometimes need specific documented proof for a deferral. You will most likely need extensive proof for an exemption.
- A deferral can happen automatically if you follow the right guidelines. An exemption can only be approved by the court.
What Happens If You Ignore Jury Duty?
Ignoring jury duty is not a good idea. In Oregon, it could result in fines or penalties, and you must appear in front of a judge. You may also be held in contempt of court in rare cases.
Special Considerations for Specific Oregon Residents
If you are on active duty or an emergency responder, you may have more options regarding postponing or getting an exemption from jury duty.
If you are self-employed, you will be more likely to get a deferral and not an exemption, but exceptions may be made in your case. Oregon courts also tend to accommodate academic schedules. This means you can likely defer your service accordingly.
Understanding the Difference Is Important
When you understand the difference between deferral and exemption, it becomes easier to follow the right processes. At the same time, it is crucial always to follow the instructions on your jury summons and never ignore them.
If you are still unsure what to do about your specific summons, contact your local court or get help from a lawyer.
