Harlene Labrum | December 27, 2024 | Personal Injury
Is it Possible to Get Out of Jury Duty in Tennessee?
If you have been picked for jury duty in Nashville, TN, you’ll wonder about how long jury duty takes, how to get to the courthouse, and what happens next. You might wonder–is it possible to get out of jury duty in Tennessee? The answer is yes; in some situations, you can be excused from jury duty. Here, we’ll talk more about how jury duty works and ways that some jurors are excused from serving on the jury.
What is Jury Duty?
Under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, criminal defendants have the absolute right to a trial by jury. Parties of non-criminal (civil) cases can also demand jury trials. Personal injury cases are often tried in front of juries, for example. Through the jury process, defendants can have their cases ruled on by a jury of peers instead of one judge. For the jury system to work properly, members of our communities must faithfully participate in the process.
However, we don’t get to pick and choose when we serve on juries. Sometimes, the timing of a trial will be inconvenient or even pose a hardship for jurors. For example, a potential juror might have a health condition, lack of transportation to court, or other circumstances making jury duty hard to accomplish.
How Are People Selected for Jury Duty in Tennessee?
Potential jurors under Tennessee law must:
- Be a United States citizen
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a legal resident of Tennessee
- Have resided in the county where the court is located for at least 12 months.
A juror is disqualified for service if they:
- Are not citizens of the United States
- Do not live in Davidson County or have not for at least 12 months
- Are under the age of 18
- Have been convicted or pled guilty to any felony offense, perjury, or subornation of perjury
- Have served on jury duty within the last two years
Jury selection pulls names in a random process. It is a matter of chance if your name is selected or not. If you don’t show up to jury duty without a proper excuse, however, you can be fined or held in contempt of court.
Can I Get Out of Jury Duty?
In Tennessee, you can’t get out of jury duty because it is inconvenient or you have other plans. However, you can be excused based on a valid reason. If you have a serious mental or physical condition that would affect your ability to sit on a jury, you can explain that to the court clerk and ask for an excusal. Another legitimate reason could be that you are a caregiver for an individual who depends on your help each day. If jury duty would negatively impact a person dependent on you, you might be released from jury service.
If jury duty would pose a financial hardship for you, that can also be a valid basis to be excused. For instance, if you are the sole provider of income for your household and missing work can create an issue with your job, that might qualify for an exemption from jury service.
Whatever the reason for your potential exemption from jury duty, you must reach out to your county clerk as soon as you can. In Tennessee, any request for exemption from jury service must be made before your summons date. Do not wait until the last minute to ask for dismissal from the jury. Also, under no circumstances should you simply not go to jury duty without getting permission first. If you have questions about how to approach the court clerk about getting out of jury duty, an experienced Nashville personal injury attorney can help.
A Lawyer Can Help You Understand Your Jury Duty Rights in Tennessee
Do you need to get out of jury duty but don’t know how to go about it? Whatever you do, don’t skip jury duty without being excused by the court. If you think you need to get out of jury duty, follow the instructions and contact the court. To learn more about the steps involved in getting out of jury duty, contact Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
Contact Our Nashville Personal Injury Attorneys at Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers Today
For more information, please contact the Nashville personal injury law firm of Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Nashville and Brentwood, Tennessee.
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Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers – Nashville
315 Deaderick St, Suite 1525
Nashville, TN 37238
(615) 685-8546
