Requests for Deferral (Postponement)
Inconvenience to a prospective juror or juror’s employer is not an acceptable reason to be excused from jury duty.
Excusals may be granted in certain circumstances, but must be supported by appropriate documentation to back up the claim. After submitting your request through our eResponse website, your request will be considered pending until the required documentation is received, reviewed and approved. You will receive written confirmation of your excuse via USPS once your request is approved.
Submitting Documentation
Documentation may be submitted via:
- Email Jury Commission
- Fax: 614-525-2449
- Mail:
Office of the Jury Commission
345 S High Street
Suite 1502
Columbus, OH 43215
Be sure to include your candidate ID Number on your documentation.
Circumstances for Excuse
- A serious physical or mental condition exists that would expose a prospective juror to undue risk of physical or mental hardship. Note: If the juror is under 75 years old, he/she must request a Physician’s Release from Jury Service Certificate is required to be filled out by the prospective juror’s physician. Download the form or call the Jury Commission office at 614-525-3450 to have one sent.
- Prospective jurors 75 years or older, may request an excuse based solely on age. Please call the Jury Commission 614-525-3450 to be excused solely on age.
- The prospective juror is the sole caregiver to an ill or disabled family member. Written documentation from an attending physician is required.
- The prospective juror would suffer an extreme financial hardship in any of the situations as defined:
- The prospective juror is the sole proprietor of a business. A letter detailing the nature of the business and the hardship the business would endure as well as proof of ownership is required (business card, letterhead, self-employment tax forms, etc.).
- The prospective juror’s employer does not offer a paid benefit for jury duty. The juror should provide a letter from his/her employer which verifies employment and states that the company does not have a policy to pay for time off for jury duty. (Copies of jury duty policy in employer’s handbook alone are not acceptable.)
- The prospective juror’s salary is derived from commissions and the employer does not continue to pay any base salary amount (if applicable) for jury duty. The juror should provide a letter from his/her employer which verifies both employment and the juror’s status as a commissioned employee.
