Chris Hammons | June 4, 2025 | Oklahoma Law
Jury duty is an important part of our legal system. Still, being called for jury service can cause stress or hardship, whether it’s missing work, handling childcare, or managing other personal issues. If you’re worried about serving or unsure about your options, you might wonder how to avoid jury duty.
Under some circumstances, you are allowed to ask the court to release you from jury duty or postpone your service. Understanding when and how this applies can help you know what to expect if you ever get a summons in the mail.
Getting Out of Jury Duty
If serving on a jury would create real problems for you, the court does allow you to change your service date or be excused entirely. Knowing the process makes it less overwhelming if you need to ask for relief.
Requesting a Postponement
In some cases, you can get a postponement for jury duty. This is permitted in the following situations:
- Temporary hardships, like previously scheduled vacations, important medical appointments, or business obligations, can justify a request for a delayed service date.
- To make this request, submit a written note explaining your situation and your jury information form.
If your court system accepts online submissions, you may make the request that way as well. It helps to make your request as soon as possible to improve your chances of being approved for a new date.
Being Exempt From Jury Duty
Some people in Oklahoma may never be required to serve if they qualify for one of the following exemptions:
- Being over 70 years old
- Having served as a juror (grand or petit) in the past five years
- Volunteering as a firefighter or in emergency response
- Being a student with a regular school schedule
- Legally responsible for a child under 10 and providing childcare full-time
To request a permanent excuse, submit a written letter along with your jury information form. If your reason is a permanent medical condition, you’ll need a doctor’s statement attached to your request.
No matter what your reason is for needing to delay or skip jury duty, it’s important to understand how to get out of jury duty in legitimate ways and let the court know as soon as possible.
What Happens If You Don’t Show Up for Jury Duty?
Missing jury duty in Oklahoma isn’t something to take lightly. If you ignore your summons and simply don’t show up, there can be serious issues to deal with.
Possible Fines and Penalties
If you fail to appear for jury duty, the court can hold you in contempt of court and order you to pay a fine. This amount can be as much as $500 in Oklahoma, even for a first missed summons. If you can explain why you skipped your service to the court, you can get out of paying this fine.
What Should You Do if You Are Selected to Serve?
Finding out you’ve been chosen for jury duty can be nerve-wracking, but knowing what to expect will help make the experience smoother. Here’s an overview of what happens if you’re selected.
Preparation for Serving
Start by checking your summons for the date, time, and location. Dress in comfortable clothes suitable for a courtroom. Be ready for long periods of waiting and bring something to read. Before the first day, check your local courthouse website or paperwork for any extra details or restrictions.
Jury Selection Process
The jury selection process begins with questioning, which is called voir dire. This is where lawyers and the judge ask all potential jurors questions. The purpose is to see if you have any connections or beliefs that might make it hard for you to evaluate the personal injury case fairly. You might be excused if your answers show you have a direct tie to anyone involved or a certain viewpoint on an important issue.
Courtroom Procedures
If you are chosen to be on the final jury, you’ll sit in the jury box with the others throughout the entire trial. You’ll listen to testimony, look at evidence, and take notes if allowed. Jurors cannot talk about the case with anyone outside the jury, and shouldn’t decide anything until it is time to discuss everything privately at the end.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers at Laird Hammons Laird Trial Lawyers for a Free Consultation
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. Our law office is located in Oklahoma City.
We proudly serve Oklahoma County, OK and its surrounding areas:
Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers – OKC
1332 SW 89th St,
Oklahoma City, OK 73159
(405) 703-4567