You can postpone jury duty by requesting a continuance before your service date, but the court must approve it
Postponing jury duty means asking the court to move your service date to a later time instead of serving when you were summoned. You do this by submitting a written request to the court before the date you were told to appear. The judge or jury administrator decides whether to grant it based on your reason and the court's schedule. Postponement is different from being excused entirely — you are not getting out of jury duty, only moving when you serve.
The process and what counts as a valid reason vary by court and state. Some courts are flexible about postponement; others grant it only for serious hardship. Starting the request early — as soon as you know you cannot serve on your assigned date — gives the court time to process it and gives you the best chance of approval.
Key Takeaways
- Submit your postponement request in writing to the court before your service date, using the contact information on your summons.
- Courts are more likely to grant postponement for documented reasons like medical treatment, pre-booked travel, or work obligations that cannot be rescheduled.
- The timing of your request matters — courts prefer requests made weeks in advance rather than days before your service date.
- If the court denies your postponement request, you can ask again closer to your service date if your circumstances change, or you can appear and request postponement in person on the day you are scheduled.
How to submit a postponement request
Look at your jury summons for the court's contact information and instructions. Most summonses list a phone number, email address, or mailing address for the jury office. Some courts have an online portal where you can request postponement directly through their website.
Write a brief letter or email explaining why you cannot serve on your assigned date and what date would work better for you. Keep it factual and specific — "I have a work conference scheduled" is stronger than "I am busy." Include your juror number and the date you were summoned to appear. Mail it, email it, or submit it through the court's online system, depending on what the summons says.
Send your request as early as possible. Courts often prefer at least two to four weeks' notice, though some will consider requests made closer to the date. If you wait until a few days before, the court may not have time to process it or may be less inclined to grant it.
Reasons courts are likely to approve
Courts understand that people have real obligations. Common reasons that lead to approval include medical procedures or treatment you cannot reschedule, pre-booked travel that was planned before you received the summons, work obligations that would cause serious financial hardship if you miss them, and caregiving duties for a child or elderly relative with no alternative care available.
The key is that the obligation must be genuine and difficult or impossible to reschedule. A vacation you can move to different dates is weaker than a non-refundable trip or a medical appointment that took months to get. If you have documentation — a doctor's letter, a conference registration, a work letter from your employer — include it with your request.
Courts are less likely to approve postponement for reasons that are routine or easily changed, such as a work meeting you could attend remotely, a vacation you booked after receiving the summons, or a minor inconvenience. Being honest about your reason increases the chance the court will take your request seriously if you have a real conflict later.
What happens if the court denies your request
If the court denies your postponement request in writing, you are expected to appear on your assigned date. However, you have options. You can submit a second request if your circumstances change between the denial and your service date — for example, if a medical procedure gets scheduled or a work emergency arises after you first requested postponement.
You can also appear on your assigned date and explain your situation to the judge or jury administrator in person. Some courts are more flexible during the actual jury selection process than they are with written requests. If you appear and explain a genuine hardship, the judge may postpone you at that time, though this is not may provide.
If you do not appear and do not have an approved postponement, the court may issue a failure-to-appear notice, which can result in a fine or contempt of court charges. It is better to appear and request postponement in person than to skip jury duty without contacting the court.
Postponement versus excusal
Postponement moves your service date but does not remove you from the jury pool. You will be called again, usually within a year or two, depending on your state and court. Excusal means you do not have to serve at all, either permanently or for a set period.
Courts grant excusal for reasons like extreme hardship, medical conditions that prevent you from serving, age (some states excuse people over 70 or 75), or being the sole caregiver for someone who cannot be left alone. Postponement is the middle ground — the court acknowledges your conflict but expects you to serve when the conflict is resolved.
Timing and court schedules
Courts plan jury schedules months in advance, so postponing you to a specific date depends on when the court has openings. You can request a particular month or timeframe, but the court may offer you a different date based on its needs. Some courts allow you to choose from a list of available dates; others assign a new date to you.
If the court postpones you, it will send you a new summons with your new service date. Treat the new date as firm unless you request another postponement with a valid reason. Repeatedly requesting postponement may result in the court denying future requests or ordering you to appear.
What to do if you cannot find contact information
If your summons does not list clear contact information, search online for "[your county or city] jury office" or "[your state] court jury services." Most courts have websites with jury information and contact details. You can also call the main courthouse number and ask to be transferred to the jury office.
If you cannot reach the court before your service date, appear on the date you were summoned and explain your situation to the jury administrator or judge. Showing up demonstrates good faith, and the court can postpone you in person if your reason is valid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I postpone jury duty multiple times?
Courts allow postponement, but repeatedly requesting it may result in denial. If you postpone once and then request again for a different reason, most courts will consider it, but if you make multiple requests in a short period, the court may require you to serve or may deny future requests. Be strategic about when you postpone.
How far in advance should I request postponement?
Submit your request as soon as you know you have a conflict, ideally at least two to four weeks before your service date. Courts prefer advance notice and are more likely to grant requests made early. Requests made days before your date are less likely to be approved.
What if I have a medical appointment I cannot reschedule?
Include a letter from your doctor with your postponement request. The letter should confirm the appointment date and explain why it cannot be moved. Courts treat medical reasons seriously, especially if the appointment is for surgery, treatment, or a specialist visit that took months to schedule.
Can I postpone jury duty by phone?
Some courts accept phone requests, but most prefer written requests so there is a record. Check your summons or call the jury office to ask whether they accept phone postponement requests. If they do, get the name of the person you speak with and ask for confirmation in writing.
What if I miss my postponed jury duty date?
If you miss your new service date without contacting the court, you face the same consequences as missing your original date — a fine or contempt charge. If you know you will miss the postponed date, contact the court when ready and request another postponement or explain your situation.