Jury duty excuses

For some reason, many people don’t want to do jury duty. It’s tedious and requires paying attention for a couple of hours at a stretch, possibly several days running. In practice a large panel is summoned for a twelve-member jury, and most people who aren’t seated go home after a few hours.

Also, in North Carolina, anyone 72 or older may request to be excused, deferred, or exempted in writing, without appearing in person, by filing a signed statement of the grounds at least five business days before the summons date (G.S. 9-6.1). It’s on the AOC-G-400 form (https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms/application-for-excuse-deferral-exemption-and-disqualification-from-jury-service). Two caveats to what I used to tell people: it isn’t automatic — the judge may allow or deny it — and it isn’t purely age-based, so a brief statement of grounds still helps. Patients often don’t notice the provision at all. Federal jury service is a separate system with its own rules; for the Middle District of North Carolina, age over 70 is among the grounds for an excuse request.

Also consider whether your patient needs a deferral rather than an excuse. For anything temporary — surgery next month, a course of chemotherapy — a deferral is easier to get and doesn’t ask the court to write anyone off permanently.

Anything that might interfere with attention is a valid basis, including medication side effects (it’s hard to be a good juror on furosemide when your attention is on your bladder). Your letter must state the medical reasons and whether the problem is temporary — and if so, for how long — or permanent. Here’s my template:

To whom it may concern,

I am the primary care physician for Mr. John Jones who has been a patient at our medical office for quite some time. I am well-versed in @HIS@ various medical issues. Mr. Jones has recently been summoned for jury duty.

Serving on a jury is fundamental to our democracy, and those who are capable of serving should do so, and as such I write this letter only after thoughtful consideration of Mr. Jones’ health status.

After reviewing his medical records thoroughly, it is evident that Mr. Jones has medical issues, or is prescribed medications to treat such medical issues, that impair @HIS@ ability to be attentive for long periods of time, as jury duty entails. Therefore, I believe it would be in the best interests of Mr. Jones’ health, and in the best interests of the citizens of North Carolina, that he be excused from jury duty as requested by his recent summons.

The primary underlying medical issue precluding Mr. Jones’ from serving effectively is chronic lower back pain precluding his ability to sit without distracting pain for more than a few minutes. This problem is chronic, I do not expect it to improve, and it should therefore be considered permanent.

Should you need more details, I would be happy to supply them, of course with Mr. Jones’ permission.