Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers | November 22, 2024 | Florida Law
You might not be excited to get a jury notice in the mail. If your name has been drawn for jury duty in Port St. Lucie, FL, you’ll have questions about how long jury duty will take, how to get there, and what happens once you go to the courthouse. You’ll also wonder if it is possible to get out of jury duty. In some situations, you can get out of jury duty in Florida. Here, we’ll talk about how jury duty works and when you might be excused from jury service.
What is Jury Duty?
The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives citizens in criminal trials the right to trial by a jury of their peers. Jury trials can also be held in non-criminal (civil) cases; personal injury cases are one example. Juries are a historic symbol of justice in our legal system. Juries allow people to have their fellow citizens rule on a case instead of a lone judge. For our jury system to function, those in our communities must take part in the process. Unfortunately, we don’t get to pick and choose when our names are called. If you’ve been selected, you might have a health condition, travel issues, or other circumstances that make jury duty difficult for you.
How Are People Picked for Jury Duty in Florida?
Potential jurors under Florida law must:
- Be a United States citizen
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a legal resident of Florida
- Be a legal resident of the county in which you reside
- Have a valid Florida driver’s license
- Have executed an affidavit of eligibility with your county clerk
Jury selection pulls names without any special considerations–the process is random. Whether and when you get selected for jury duty is a matter of chance. If you fail to respond to a jury summons without a proper excuse, you can be fined up to $100 and can also be held in contempt of court.
Can I Get Out of Jury Duty?
It is possible to get out of jury duty in Florida if:
- You are pregnant or are a parent not employed full time, with a child under age 6;
- You have given birth within the 6 months before the court date;
- You are age 70 or older;
- You have served as a juror in your county within the past year;
- You are currently being prosecuted for a felony offense or have been convicted of a felony offense;
- You are a full-time law enforcement officer for a federal, state, or local agency;
- You are a practicing lawyer or doctor;
- You are responsible for caring for someone with a disability, mental illness, or other condition that prevents them from caring for themselves;
- You are a student between ages 18 and 21 attending school full-time;
- You can show hardship, extreme inconvenience, or public necessity.
These are some of the reasons that would qualify you to be excused from jury duty. If you believe you have some other reason or hardship, you should notify your county clerk once you receive your jury summons. You can also request accommodations if you have a disability or any issue that might affect your jury service.
As you can see, Florida’s court system will consider your individual circumstances and release you from jury duty in some situations. The one thing you should never do, though, is decide on your own not to show up for jury duty. If you have questions about jury duty or want to know more about how you can get out of jury duty, talk to an experienced lawyer.
Understanding Your Jury Duty Rights in Florida
Were you picked for jury duty in Port St. Lucie, FL? You have options and could get out of jury duty if you qualify. Skipping jury duty without being excused can land you in legal trouble, however. If you don’t think you can serve as a juror, follow the instructions and reach out to the courthouse staff. If you have any questions about how jury duty works in Florida, the attorneys at Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers can help.
Contact Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers For Help Today
For more information, please contact the Stuart, Port St. Lucie, or Palm Beach Gardens personal injury law firm of Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Martin County, St. Lucie County, Palm Beach County, and its surrounding areas in Florida:
Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Stuart
73 SW Flagler Ave
Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 444-7000
Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Port St. Lucie
1100 SW St. Lucie West Blvd. Ste 202
Port St Lucie, FL 34986
(772) 247-3374
Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Palm Beach Gardens
300 Avenue of the Champions Ste 220
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
(561) 944-4000