Hey Roger try one of these.....
This one works for me all the time
"You are so important to the operation of a business that your absence will cause that business to fail."
You can also tell them that you are a 70 yr old volunteer firefighter from nicaragua, taking care of your grandma at home and your car got stolen...
If you have received a jury summons and feel you can not serve, you have options. While court rules vary around the country, these principals generally apply everywhere.
Note: This site is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be accepted as such. Any court summons should be responded to in a prompt and honest manner.
INSTANT EXCUSE
If you have a compelling reason why you can't serve, you can ask for an excuse by writing the court. Excuses are generally given for the following reasons:
You are over 70 years old.
You are a volunteer firefighter, rescue squad member or ambulance crew member.
You must care for young children or elderly adults, if your absence will put them at risk.
You are so important to the operation of a business that your absence will cause that business to fail.
You are an attorney, physician, dentist or registered nurse.
You do not have a car and are unable to use public transportation.
Excuses are usually not given through the mail for general work or family care responsibilities. These problems will be considered during the jury selection process (after you actually report to the courthouse on the first day.)
POSTPONEMENTS - DEFERMENTS - "TEMPORARY EXCUSE"
Instead of being excused, you can request (by writing the court) that your jury service be postponed. Deferments are common. You shouldn't feel bad about asking for one if jury duty conflicts with your work load, personal obligations or travel schedule. My work travel schedule required me to ask for two deferments. Of course the court didn't forget about me. After each temporary excuse was granted, I was summoned again three months later.
With your summons will be a questionnaire. It must be filled out truthfully and returned right away. These questions will weigh into whether you have to serve as a juror. Questions may include:
Are you a U.S. citizen?
What is your age and birth date?
Have you live in this county for the past year?
Do you speak English?
Are you charged with or been convicted of a felony?
Do you have an disability that would interfere with your service as a juror?
Do you hold elected public office?
Are you a police officer or firefighter?
Are you a member of the armed forces?
What is your gender, education level and occupation?
TIP--The questionnaire may include a space for you to write comments. Use it. Write-in any commitments you have that would conflict with jury service such as work/family responsibilities or conflicts of interest.
HARDSHIP EXCUSE - GET EXCUSED THROUGH THE MAIL
If you have a legitimate hardship that prevents you from serving, write a letter to the court. Do so even if the court doesn't specify your situation as "excusable." You may be let go through the mail.
Remember that the court may empathize with your situation, but may not let you off the hook easily through the mail. If your request for excuse is rejected, don't worry. You will generally find the court more reasonable when you appear for your first day of service.
THE BEST WAY TO BE EXCUSED - DURING JURY ASSEMBLY
If you have been unsuccessful getting excused through the mail, the next step is to get and excuse when you report to court.
Shortly after reporting for service, a court employee may ask if anyone has a compelling problem that will keep them from serving. THIS IS THE BEST TIME FOR YOU TO REQUEST TO BE EXCUSED. If you have a legitimate reason (such as work, travel, medical or family care responsibilities), you may very well be excused at this time.
People wanting excuses will be asked to come to the front. You will be questioned by the court employee. You will then either be excused or told to return to your seat. If you are excused, you will have to continue to phone-in for the remainder of the jury duty call-in period. You may be required to report again for jury selection. If you are not excused, you may still have a chance to get out of service during the jury selection process.
