Can you get out of jury duty in Mississippi? Here are 10 accepted excuses you can use
Sure, it’s our civic duty, but sometimes getting that summons in the mail can put a damper on your plans.
But we’re here to help. We’ve scoured our sources near and far, and we found 10 excuses you can use if you need to get out of jury duty in Mississippi. Here’s what to know:
How are you selected for jury duty in Mississippi?
According to the DeSoto County, Mississippi website, you are eligible for jury duty if you:
Are a U.S. citizen
Are at least 21 years old
Are able to read and write
How can you get out of jury duty?
You are ineligible for jury duty if you:
- Are a convicted felon, habitual drunkard or common gambler
- Have been convicted of the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages in the last five years
- Have a case pending in this court
According to Mississippi law, you can also be excused from jury duty if you:
Are over 65 years old
Have an illness, emergency or other personal hardship
Are a breastfeeding mother
Have recently served on jury duty (in the last two years)
However, you must prove your excuse with some sort of documentation to the court.
“If you’re claiming an exemption or requesting a deferral from jury duty, especially based on reasons like age, be sure to document your reason clearly. For example, if you’re claiming age as a basis, obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate or another official document to verify your eligibility,” said Robert M. Hammers with Hammers Law Firm.
What happens if you get a jury summons and can’t get out of it?
In Mississippi, you should do the following if you get a jury summons:
Read the summons closely and follow the instructions. Some summons will require you to complete a questionnaire or contact the court in advance.
Follow the instructions on the summons or contact the court directly for more information.
If you fail to respond to your jury summons, you may be subject to a fine or other penalties.
If you are selected to serve on a jury, you will be provided with the trial date, and must return to serve on the jury for the duration of the trial and deliberations. If you were not selected to serve on any jury during the voir dire process, you can go home, and your jury duty obligations are complete.
Do you have more questions? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com.
This story was originally published February 27, 2025 at 12:15 PM.
