How To Get Out Of Jury Duty In Louisiana
Are you wondering how to get out of jury duty in Louisiana? This post will give you some actionable tips and information. Read on to get the scoop and avoid doing jury duty!
Called For Jury Duty
So, you’ve been called for jury duty in Louisiana. But the thought of serving on a jury makes you cringe because of the time commitment it will require. Well, don’t worry – there are ways to get out of jury duty in Louisiana if you know how. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of those methods
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How To Avoid Doing Jury Duty In Louisiana
Check your eligibility
It is your civic duty to serve on a jury, but sometimes it is just not possible. Below we will discuss how to get out of jury duty in Louisiana. Before reading on, check to see if you’re one of the individuals who can’t serve or are even exempt from service:
If you are not a U.S. citizen or if you are not 18 years of age or older, you cannot serve on a jury in Louisiana.
If you have a criminal record, you may not be eligible to serve on a jury at all.
If you have served on a jury within the last two years, you may be exempt from service.
If you meet any of the above criteria, you can fill out an exemption form and submit it to the court. The court will review your request and decide whether or not to excuse you from jury duty.
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Active Military Service
If you are currently serving in the active military, you also may be exempt from jury duty. You will need to provide a copy of your orders or a letter from your commanding officer stating that you are on active duty.
Request a deferral
If you are eligible and are unable to serve on the jury during the time requested, you may request a deferral by completing a form and returning it to the Court.
If you have an upcoming vacation, business trip, or other time conflict, be sure to indicate the dates of your conflict on the form. Note that you must have a valid reason for requesting a deferral and that you may only defer your service once.
Claim a hardship
Louisiana law provides two hardship excuses that may be used to get out of jury duty: an undue hardship and an extreme inconvenience.
An undue hardship is defined as a physical or mental condition that would prevent you from serving on a jury.
An extreme inconvenience is a situation where serving on a jury would cause you to suffer a significant financial loss or would otherwise be highly disruptive to your life.
If you wish to claim a hardship excuse, you must submit a written request to the court prior to your scheduled jury duty date. Your request must include a brief explanation of your hardship and supporting documentation, if available.
The court will review your request but in most cases, claims of financial hardship are generally not considered sufficient grounds for excusal.
Ask to be excused for medical reasons
If you have a medical condition that would prevent you from serving on a jury, you may request to be excused by submitting a letter from your doctor to the court
The letter should explain your condition and why it prevents you from serving on a jury. The court will review your request and decide whether or not to excuse you based on the information provided.
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Claim exemption because of religious beliefs or affiliation
In Louisiana, you can claim an exemption if you have certain religious beliefs or affiliations.
If you are a member of a church or organization that opposes jury service on religious grounds, you will need to provide a letter from your clergyman or organization confirming your membership and explaining your objection to jury service.
You will also need to complete an Affidavit of Religious Exemption and submit it to the clerk of court. If your exemption is approved, you will be excused from jury duty.
When you receive a jury summons, it is important to be courteous and honest when communicating with the court
Remember, jury duty is an important civic responsibility and should be taken seriously. However, there are times when serving on a jury may not be possible. If this is the case, follow the steps outlined in this blog post to increase your chances of being excused from jury duty.
