How to get out of jury duty: what to say to the clerk
You got a letter from the court: it says you must come for jury duty. You cannot just skip it, but you can ask the court to postpone your date or to excuse you for a real reason, and you can do it politely. First, you need to know what to say when you arrive. At the courthouse, a clerk checks you in. This is what to say, in simple English. Say good morning and show your summons. Give your photo ID. Check your name and address on the form. Wait in the room and listen for your group. Turn off your phone or put it on silent.
Wear your juror badge. Ask if you can leave for lunch. Level 2 goes further: you ask the clerk for a later date, give one true reason, show proof such as an email from your boss, name a better month, say that you only need a new date and not an excuse, promise to write the true reason on the form, and ask how you will hear back. Listen to each line, then practice with Mr. Russo in the game. The rules are a little different in every state and court, so read your summons before you go.
Useful phrases
Good morning, yes, I have my summons right here.
A "summons" is an official letter that tells you to come to court. Say good morning and show the letter: "Good morning, yes, I have my summons right here."
Of course, here is my driver's license.
A photo ID has your picture and your name on it, like a driver's license or a passport. Say "of course" and give it to the clerk: "Of course, here is my driver's license."
Yes, my name and my address are both correct.
The court uses this form to find you, so every fact must be true. Read it, then say: "Yes, my name and my address are both correct." If something is wrong, say what to fix.
Sure, I will wait here and listen for my group number.
Jurors wait in a big room until the court needs a group. "Group" means a number of people called together. Stay in the room and listen: "Sure, I will wait here and listen for my group number."
I will put my phone on silent now.
"Silent" means no sound. Courts ask you to turn off your phone or put it on silent. Say what you will do: "I will put my phone on silent now."
I will put it on my jacket, so it is easy to see.
The badge shows that you are a juror. Wear it on your jacket or shirt, not in your bag. Say: "I will put it on my jacket, so it is easy to see."
Yes, can I leave the building for lunch?
Ask the question you really need to ask. Start with "yes" so the clerk knows that you have a question: "Can I leave the building for lunch?"
Thank you, I will come back on time.
End with a clear thank you and say what you will do: "Thank you, I will come back on time." Jurors who are late can make the whole group wait.
Good morning, I have a jury summons, and I would like to ask for a later date.
You cannot skip a jury summons, but you can ask the court to postpone it. "Postpone" means to move it to a later date. Say clearly what you want: "Good morning, I have a jury summons, and I would like to ask for a later date."
I have a work trip that week, and I cannot change it.
Give one true reason and keep it short: "I have a work trip that week, and I cannot change it." A real conflict, such as a trip, an exam or a medical visit, is a reason a court may accept.
Yes, I have an email from my boss, and I brought a copy.
Courts often ask for proof, such as a ticket, a doctor's letter or an email from your boss. Say what you have and that you brought it: "Yes, I have an email from my boss, and I brought a copy."
Well, any week in March would be good for me.
When the clerk offers a new date, give a clear month or week: "Well, any week in March would be good for me." Many courts let you postpone once, and the new date is often a few months later.
No, I only need a new date, because I am happy to serve later.
"Excused" means you do not have to serve at all, and you need a real reason, such as an illness. Never give a false reason. If you only have a busy week, ask for a new date: "No, I only need a new date, because I am happy to serve later."
Of course, I will write the true reason and sign the form.
The court uses your form to decide, so write only true facts. "Sign" means to write your name. Say: "Of course, I will write the true reason and sign the form."
Yes, how will I find out my new date?
Ask the question you need answered: "Yes, how will I find out my new date?" Do not stay away on the old date until the court says that your request is approved.
Thank you, I will watch my mail for your letter.
End with a thank you and say what you will do: "Thank you, I will watch my mail for your letter." Read the letter carefully, because it tells you if the court said yes.
Level 1 (A2): Check in for jury duty
8 lines in the order you hear them. Each game picks 5 of them, so every game is a little different.
“Good morning, and welcome to jury duty. Do you have your summons?”
Good answer: “Good morning, yes, I have my summons right here.”
Why: A "summons" is an official letter that tells you to come to court. Say good morning and show the letter: "Good morning, yes, I have my summons right here."
Avoid: “I think so, but I forgot where it is.” (too vague) · “Yes. Here it is. Can we hurry up, please?” (too blunt)
“May I see your photo ID, please?”
Good answer: “Of course, here is my driver's license.”
Why: A photo ID has your picture and your name on it, like a driver's license or a passport. Say "of course" and give it to the clerk: "Of course, here is my driver's license."
Avoid: “Do I really need an ID? I only came to sit down.” (too negative) · “I have one, but it is in my car.” (too vague)
“Please check that your name and address are right on this form.”
Good answer: “Yes, my name and my address are both correct.”
Why: The court uses this form to find you, so every fact must be true. Read it, then say: "Yes, my name and my address are both correct." If something is wrong, say what to fix.
Avoid: “My address is old, but please do not change it.” (gives the wrong idea) · “I did not really read it, but it looks fine to me.” (too vague)
“Please sit in this room, and listen for your group number.”
Good answer: “Sure, I will wait here and listen for my group number.”
Why: Jurors wait in a big room until the court needs a group. "Group" means a number of people called together. Stay in the room and listen: "Sure, I will wait here and listen for my group number."
Avoid: “I will wait in my car and come back later.” (gives the wrong idea) · “Sure, I will walk around the building and come back.” (does not follow the instruction)
“Please turn off your phone, or put it on silent.”
Good answer: “I will put my phone on silent now.”
Why: "Silent" means no sound. Courts ask you to turn off your phone or put it on silent. Say what you will do: "I will put my phone on silent now."
Avoid: “I will use it, but only a little bit.” (does not follow the instruction) · “I need my phone for work, so I will keep it on.” (too rude)
“Here is your juror badge. Please wear it where people can see it.”
Good answer: “I will put it on my jacket, so it is easy to see.”
Why: The badge shows that you are a juror. Wear it on your jacket or shirt, not in your bag. Say: "I will put it on my jacket, so it is easy to see."
Avoid: “I will keep it in my bag, so it will not get lost.” (does not follow the instruction) · “Okay, but I do not like to wear badges.” (too negative)
“Is there anything else I can help you with?”
Good answer: “Yes, can I leave the building for lunch?”
Why: Ask the question you really need to ask. Start with "yes" so the clerk knows that you have a question: "Can I leave the building for lunch?"
Avoid: “No, but I will leave when I get hungry.” (gives the wrong idea) · “Yes, where is the best pizza in the city?” (off topic)
“Yes, you can leave when we call a lunch break. Please come back on time.”
Good answer: “Thank you, I will come back on time.”
Why: End with a clear thank you and say what you will do: "Thank you, I will come back on time." Jurors who are late can make the whole group wait.
Avoid: “Only at a break? I will be hungry long before that.” (too negative) · “Cool. I will come back when I come back.” (too casual)
Level 2 (B1): Ask to postpone or be excused
8 lines in the order you hear them. Each game picks 5 of them, so every game is a little different.
“Good morning. How can I help you today?”
Good answer: “Good morning, I have a jury summons, and I would like to ask for a later date.”
Why: You cannot skip a jury summons, but you can ask the court to postpone it. "Postpone" means to move it to a later date. Say clearly what you want: "Good morning, I have a jury summons, and I would like to ask for a later date."
Avoid: “I got a letter about jury duty, but I am not sure what to do.” (too vague) · “I cannot come to jury duty, so please cancel my summons.” (too blunt)
“I see. What is the problem with the date on your summons?”
Good answer: “I have a work trip that week, and I cannot change it.”
Why: Give one true reason and keep it short: "I have a work trip that week, and I cannot change it." A real conflict, such as a trip, an exam or a medical visit, is a reason a court may accept.
Avoid: “I do not like that date, so I would like another one, please.” (gives the wrong idea) · “I am busy.” (too short)
“Do you have a paper that shows why you cannot come, like a ticket or an email from your boss?”
Good answer: “Yes, I have an email from my boss, and I brought a copy.”
Why: Courts often ask for proof, such as a ticket, a doctor's letter or an email from your boss. Say what you have and that you brought it: "Yes, I have an email from my boss, and I brought a copy."
Avoid: “I think my boss can send something, but I am not sure when.” (too vague) · “No, I have nothing, but you should just believe me.” (too negative)
“Our court lets you postpone one time. Which month would be better for you?”
Good answer: “Well, any week in March would be good for me.”
Why: When the clerk offers a new date, give a clear month or week: "Well, any week in March would be good for me." Many courts let you postpone once, and the new date is often a few months later.
Avoid: “Maybe next year, or maybe the year after, I do not know yet.” (too vague) · “Whenever you want. I do not care.” (too casual)
“Some people ask to be excused, for example for an illness or a family duty. Do you want to be excused?”
Good answer: “No, I only need a new date, because I am happy to serve later.”
Why: "Excused" means you do not have to serve at all, and you need a real reason, such as an illness. Never give a false reason. If you only have a busy week, ask for a new date: "No, I only need a new date, because I am happy to serve later."
Avoid: “Yes, I will say that I am sick, so they will excuse me.” (not safe) · “No, I do not know, because I will think about it and see what happens.” (too vague)
“Please fill out this form and write your reason. Your answers must be true.”
Good answer: “Of course, I will write the true reason and sign the form.”
Why: The court uses your form to decide, so write only true facts. "Sign" means to write your name. Say: "Of course, I will write the true reason and sign the form."
Avoid: “I will write whatever reason the judge will like best.” (not safe) · “Sure, I will write something quick and give it back to you now.” (too casual)
“All right. Is there anything else you want to ask?”
Good answer: “Yes, how will I find out my new date?”
Why: Ask the question you need answered: "Yes, how will I find out my new date?" Do not stay away on the old date until the court says that your request is approved.
Avoid: “Yes, is there a good place nearby to buy a cup of coffee?” (off topic) · “No, I think I will just come on the old date anyway.” (gives the wrong idea)
“The judge will look at your request, and we will mail you a letter with the answer.”
Good answer: “Thank you, I will watch my mail for your letter.”
Why: End with a thank you and say what you will do: "Thank you, I will watch my mail for your letter." Read the letter carefully, because it tells you if the court said yes.
Avoid: “Only a letter? I really wish you could just tell me the date now.” (too negative) · “Cool, I will check my mail whenever I feel like looking.” (too casual)
Coming soon: level 3 (B2): questions from the judge.
Questions and answers
How do you get out of jury duty?
You cannot just skip it. A jury summons is an order from the court. You can ask the court to postpone your date, or to excuse you for a real reason, for example an illness or a family duty. Use the contact details on your summons, answer with true facts only, and do it before the day. Level 1 of this game teaches the check-in. Level 2 teaches how to ask the clerk for a later date, with a true reason.
How do I postpone jury duty?
Contact the court before your date, using the details on your summons. Say that you got a jury summons and that you would like a later date, and give one true reason, for example a work trip. Many courts let you postpone one time and pick a new date. In the game you say: "Good morning, I have a jury summons, and I would like to ask for a later date."
What is the difference between postponing and being excused?
To postpone means to move your jury duty to a later date, and you still serve. To be excused means you do not have to serve, and the court only says yes for a real reason, for example an illness or a family duty. Never give a false reason. In the game the clerk asks if you want to be excused, and you answer: "No, I only need a new date, because I am happy to serve later."
What do you say when you arrive for jury duty?
Say good morning and show your summons: "Good morning, yes, I have my summons right here." Then give the clerk your photo ID and check your name and address on the form.
What do I need to bring to jury duty?
Bring your summons and a photo ID, such as a driver's license or a passport. Many courts also say what you may not bring, so read your summons first. Bring a book or something to read, because you may wait for a long time.
What does "summons" mean?
A "summons" is an official letter that orders you to come to a place at a time, here to court for jury duty. It has your name, the date and the place. Keep it and bring it with you.
What is a jury?
A jury is a group of ordinary people who listen to a case in court and then decide the facts. Most U.S. citizens who are 18 or older can serve on a jury, and the court picks names at random.
What happens when you arrive for jury duty?
You check in with a clerk, show your ID, check your form and take a seat in a big room. You wait until the court calls your group. Some people go to a courtroom, and some go home without a case. Rules are different in every court.
How long does jury duty take?
It is different in every court. Some people serve for one day or one trial, and some for longer. Read your summons, and ask the clerk. In the game you ask: "Can I leave the building for lunch?"
Can I use my phone at jury duty?
Many courts ask you to turn off your phone or put it on silent in the courtroom. Follow the clerk's rule. In the game the clerk says: "Please turn off your phone, or put it on silent." and you answer: "I will put my phone on silent now."
What does "silent" mean on a phone?
"Silent" means the phone makes no sound. You put your phone on silent so that it does not ring in court.
What is a juror badge?
A juror badge is a small tag that shows that you are a juror. Wear it where people can see it. In the game the clerk says: "Here is your juror badge. Please wear it where people can see it."
Is jury duty the same in every state?
No. Every state and every court has its own rules for the day, the time, the pay and the excuses. This game teaches the English words. Check your own summons and your court's website.
More real-life English
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Play Say It Right: all 26 real-life situations.
This game teaches English words and phrases for jury duty. The rules for the day, the time, the pay and the excuses depend on your state and court and can change, so read your summons and check your court's website. It is not legal advice. Official information: U.S. Courts: Jury service (an example; every court has its own rules).