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How to get out of Jury Duty in Texas?

C

chiefroastbeef

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 26, 2008
909
0
Dallas, Texas/ Hong Kong
Hi guys,

Well, I've been selected for jury duty last month, and I had it postponed until september 2. I am currently working in Hong Kong right now, and I will not/do not plan to come back to the States within the next year.

What are my options for getting out of jury duty? Or postponing it for a year or so? I've called my local county jury office, and the lady said something along the lines of "filing for an out of county resident." (I forgot exactly what she said)

So I am just wondering if you folks have any experience with getting out of jury duty(preferably nothing that involves deceit), and perhaps in Texas?

Thanks!
 
You probably just do as the lady said, and file as an out of county resident or somesuch. Call them up or go online and get the info. I know Travis County has an online system for such things.
 
well generaly speaking if you are out of the country or heck even out of the city by a good ways they normally will let you out of it. Because it just not really possible for you to make it.
 
knuckle up and just do it. If you held any high security rating, IE navy seals ect, you would not be allowed on a jury.

Fayetteville, they send the County Sheriff out after you if you fail to show for duty.
 
Someone tipped me off that the best way to get out of jury duty is to write back in crayon on a page from a childrens copybook that you'd love to go and dispense justice but that you have to be back home by 4 every evening to take your medication. Specifically ask for a murder trial and express interest in being executioner when the person is found guilty.

You should get a polite letter excusing you from duty.
 
In Texas?

Just tell them you're against the death penalty.

;)

Seriously though, I got out of federal jury duty by saying my wife was pregnant and couldn't leave her alone for two weeks. If I can get out of it by having a pregnant wife you can certainly get out of it by being out of the country!
 
iMac-Knight said:
knuckle up and just do it. If you held any high security rating, IE navy seals ect, you would not be allowed on a jury.

Fayetteville, they send the County Sheriff out after you if you fail to show for duty.
Click to expand...

It's not that he doesn't want to. If you'd re-read the first post, he states that he's currently in Hong Kong right now, so going isn't an option.

And county sheriffs in HK? Unlikely :p
 
chiefroastbeef said:
Hi guys,

What are my options for getting out of jury duty? Or postponing it for a year or so? I've called my local county jury office, and the lady said something along the lines of "filing for an out of county resident." (I forgot exactly what she said)
Click to expand...

Call the county jury office back and listen to your options a little more carefully. Tell them when you will be back in Taxes and you'd be willing to serve then. You're not going to get off completely by talking over the phone. It takes a judge & the lawyers at the courthouse to decide if you are fit to serve.

In my state we can postpone for up to a year... no reason needs to be given. I always postpone to a time that is convient for me.

xlii once served on a jury for 6 weeks...
 
If you are a judge, lawyer, or law student, I don't think they will be very interested in your services as a juror.

After I got a law related BA, I was kicked off of every consideration for a jury, and I truly wanted to be on a jury, any jury. The court asked me a few questions about my background, and after that schooling, they always dismiss me. Not only do they dismiss me, they give me this very nasty look!
 
You should have been able to check the box under ineligible for jury duty, and the box next to -- don't currently reside in (blank) county, or not a current resident of (blank) county.

Usually it goes to the address listed on your driver's license record, and a lot of people don't keep them up-to-date.
 
When you go in for the interview or whatever process they use for screening the jurors, just say "Kill'em all." Seriously - It's your personal opinion so they can't charge you with anything, and no lawyer in his right mind whichever side he's on is going to want a loose cannon on their jury.

My aunt did this and it got her out of it easily.
 
Find out whatever race the defendant is, then say that you hate that race and would vote to convict anyone of said race even if there was overwhelming evidence of their innocence. Even if he's the same race as you, say you're self-hating :D
 
Walk in to the room wearing little-heart boxer shorts, frilly white socks and a clown outfit from the waist up. Top it off with a ten-gallon hat and a doobie (or maybe a powder-blue parasol) and they'll have you out the door faster than you can sneeze.
 
richardjames said:
"Getting out of jury duty is easy. The trick is to say you're prejudiced against all races." -- Homer Simpson
Click to expand...
yg17 said:
Find out whatever race the defendant is, then say that you hate that race and would vote to convict anyone of said race even if there was overwhelming evidence of their innocence. Even if he's the same race as you, say you're self-hating :D
Click to expand...
But see, this is Texas, so you need to say you kinda like Mexicans. :p
melrose said:
When you go in for the interview or whatever process they use for screening the jurors, just say "Kill'em all." Seriously - It's your personal opinion so they can't charge you with anything, and no lawyer in his right mind whichever side he's on is going to want a loose cannon on their jury.

My aunt did this and it got her out of it easily.
Click to expand...
That might not work. This probably would:
evilgEEk said:
In Texas?

Just tell them you're against the death penalty.
Click to expand...


And this thread reminded me that I was put in a queue (or something) for jury duty in June, and I could possibly have been summoned. I don't remember if the period ended last month or this month though...
 
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