Jury Duty Excuse Letter in New York
A short letter asking the court to excuse you from jury duty or postpone it. Follow the instructions on your summons first, because courts handle these requests differently, and keep following the summons until the court answers.
What New York law says
| Who can be excused from jury duty | The commissioner of jurors may excuse a prospective juror or postpone service on the juror's application; a breastfeeding mother who submits a physician's or nurse practitioner's note must be excused or postponed (Judiciary Law § 517(a)). A first postponement can be to a date the juror picks within six months, and an initial postponement may be requested by telephone. If the commissioner denies the request, the person may apply to the court. Excuses are granted for a mental or physical condition that makes the person incapable of serving, or for undue hardship or extreme inconvenience to the person, someone in their care, or the public (§ 517(b)-(c)). After serving, a person is not required to serve again for six years (eight years after more than ten days of service), or half that period on request (§ 524). Recent service: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/JUD/524 Source: N.Y. Judiciary Law §§ 517, 524 |
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| Penalty for skipping jury duty | If you fail to return a juror questionnaire or fail to attend after being summoned, the commissioner of jurors may start a noncompliance proceeding and the court may impose a civil penalty not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250) and set a new date for your jury service (Judiciary Law § 527). A penalty requires proof that you received the summons and a notice of noncompliance; an unpaid penalty can become a civil judgment. Failing to obey the court's order can bring other criminal or civil penalties. Source: N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527 |
| Jury duty pay and your job | An employee summoned for jury duty who notifies the employer before service starts may not be fired or penalized for the absence. Employers may withhold wages during jury service, but an employer with more than ten employees may not withhold the first seventy-two dollars of the juror's daily wages for the first three days. A violation is criminal contempt of court (Judiciary Law § 519). Jurors are paid seventy-two dollars per day of attendance, except employed jurors whose employer must pay those wages and who earn at least $72 a day (§ 521). Juror pay: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/JUD/521 Source: N.Y. Judiciary Law §§ 519, 521 |
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[today's date]
[your name]
[your mailing address]
[your phone or email]
To: [court or jury office name and address, from your summons]
Re: Jury summons. Juror number: [juror number from your summons]. Reporting date: [date you are told to report].
Dear [jury commissioner, clerk or judge named on your summons]:
I received a jury summons for the date above. I am asking to be [excused from / postponed from] jury service because [your reason, in one or two plain sentences].
I have attached [documents supporting your request, such as a doctor's note, or none].
If my service can be postponed, I can serve on these dates: [dates you are available].
Please tell me in writing whether my request is approved. I understand that I must follow the summons until I hear from the court.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Jury Duty Excuse Letter for other states · New York tenant rights
Last verified against official sources: October 22, 2026.
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.