May I request an excuse or deferral from jury duty?

If you have received a questionnaire, please see the FAQ on QUALIFYING FOR JURY DUTY/QUALIFICATION QUESTIONNAIRE for exemptions and requests for excuse that may be submitted at that time.  If you have received a summons, you may request to be exempted or excused for any of the reasons acceptable for submission during the questionnaire phase, or if you:

 
1) are licensed to and actively practicing medicine in the state,
2) actively care for a child under 10 years of age, and jury service would require you leave the child without adequate supervision,
3) are essential to the care of an aged or infirm person; or
4) are a full-time student of a public or private secondary school or an accredited college or university.  

 
If you believe that jury service would be an undue burden or hardship for these or any other reasons, promptly submit your request to be excused or deferred, which will be presented to the presiding judge for consideration.  You may submit your excuse or deferment request from the Online Reporting Instructions page.   Alternatively, you may:

 
Dallas Divison: Fax your request to the jury office at (214) 753-2279 or mail your request to: United States District Court, 1100 Commerce St., Room 1452, Dallas, Texas 75242, ATTN: Jury Office.
Abilene Division: Fax to (325) 677-6334 or mail your request to: United States District Court, 341 Pine Street, Room 2008, Abilene, Texas 79601, ATTN: Jury Office.
Amarillo Division: Mail your request to: United States District Court, 205 East Fifth Avenue, Amarillo, Texas 79101, ATTN: Jury Office.
Fort Worth Division:  Fax your request to the jury office at (817) 850-6633 or mail your request to: United States District Court, 501 W. 10th Street, Room 310, Fort Worth, Texas 76102, ATTN: Jury Office.
Lubbock Division: Mail your request to: United States District Court, 1205 Texas Avenue, Room 209, Lubbock, Texas 79401, ATTN: Jury Office.
San Angelo Division: Mail your request to: United States District Court, 33 East Twohig Street, Room 202, San Angelo, Texas 76903-6451, ATTN: Jury Office.
Wichita Falls Division: fax your request to the jury office at (940) 767-2526 or mail your request to: United States District Court, 1000 Lamar Street, Room 203, Wichita Falls, Texas 76301, ATTN: Jury Office.

You must also submit your Juror Information Card along with your request. Your request must include your name, reporting date and the reason you are requesting an excuse or deferment. Please be aware that if you report for jury service only to request an excuse, you will not be paid the $40.00 attendance fee if the excuse is granted.