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Information on Deferral, Disqualification and Excuse Requests

Trial by jury is a vital component of our system of justice and provides a unique opportunity to fulfill an important obligation as a U.S. citizen. We appreciate your civic commitment and recognize that jury service may conflict with work or school schedules, planned vacations, and other life events. We also recognize that some citizens may need to be excused from jury service for age or medical reasons. Finally, some individuals may not be legally qualified to serve as jurors. This page provides an overview of the excuse, deferral and disqualification categories and provides links to additional information for you to consult. You can click on the highlighted links below to be directed to the specific Excuse, Deferral or Disqualification Information pages and forms.

All requests for excuse, deferral or disqualification must be in writing accompanied by your completed summons or questionnaire and any required documentation.  Requests for excuse, deferral, postponement or to explain why you may be exempt or disqualified should be submitted as soon as possible upon receiving the summons - at least ten (10) days prior to the start of your jury summons. Do NOT wait until you are directed to report the make a request for excuse, deferral, etc., as it will likely be denied. Only well documented requests for excuse, deferral or postponement will be considered.  Since your term of service is for six weeks, you must be prepared to report at any time during that six week term, therefore any reason you have to request excuse for any portion of that six week period should be made as soon as you receive the summons form.  Any and ALL requests for excuse, deferral, postponement, disqualification or exemption require that the summons questionnaire form be completed before any consideration will be given to your request. 

There are three ways to submit your request for consideration:

U.S. Mail:  U.S. District Court, 324 W. Market Street, Greensboro, N.C. 27401-2544 Attn: Jury Office

EMAIL:.     juryclerk@ncmd.uscourts.gov  (please put your full name in the subject line and attach any supporting documentation);

FAX:          336-332-6049  (be sure to put your full name on each page of the fax along with a telephone number you can be reached at).

Requesting an Excuse means you are asking the court to either permanently excuse you for the entire term of your jury service or to temporarily excuse from a specific portion of your six week term. Some reasons may include: medical factors, age over 70, and residence outside of the Middle District.

Requesting a Deferral means you are asking the court to move your service to another six week period. Some reasons for deferral include: vacations, school schedules and work schedules. 

Requesting Disqualification means you believe you are not legally eligible to serve as a federal juror. Some reasons for disqualification include: a charge pending against you for the commission of, or the conviction of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and your civil rights have not been restored, if you are not a U.S. Citizen, if you are not 18 years or older, if your permanent residence is outside of the Middle District or you cannot speak the English language or read, write and understand the English language with a degree of proficency to satisfactorily fill out the juror qualification form.

Requesting Exemption means you believe you are in a category which will exempt you from serving as a federal juror.  Some reasons for exemption include: Active Military, Member of any governmental police or regular fire department; Public official of the United States, state, or local government who is elected to public office or directly appointed by one elected to office.

Finally as a reminder, before any request for excuse, deferral, postponement, disqualification or exemption can be considered, you must have either completed the juror information questionnaire on line at ejuror as instructed on the back of the summons OR complete and return the bottom portion of the jury summons in the business reply mail envelope provided in the summons packet. Also, any documentation in support of your request must be provided at the time you submit your request.  Failure to include the completed summons for (or to have completed the online form) and supporting documentation will delay the Court's consideration of your request.