Request Postponement or Disqualification

Requests for Postponements

You may request a postponement of your service one time and that postponement cannot exceed 90 calendar days from your original date of service. If your currently scheduled service date is more than 5 business days out, you may request to postpone your jury service by completing your Juror Questionnaire online or by calling our automated system at (559) 675-4977.  If your currently scheduled service date is in 5 business days or less, you will need to contact our office at (559) 416-5570 or email your request to jury@madera.courts.ca.gov.

Postponement requests for up to 90 calendars days are usually granted, providing it is your first postponement. You must select a Tuesday within 90 calendar days of your original service date. Please keep in mind that you may be called in to serve on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday of the week you select, and will need to call for your reporting instructions until you have been directed to report for jury service or have been released.

Those requesting a postponement can expect to receive a new summons in the mail approximately 2-4 weeks before your new service date.

Requests to Be Disqualified or Excused

Your Juror Questionnaire must be completed online within one week of your service date.  Failure to complete the Juror Questionnaire online, as well as upload any necessary documentation on the Juror Web Portal, will prevent the Jury Division from granting your disqualification or excuse.

Requests to be excused must be submitted online and are subject to review. Disqualifications or excuses from jury duty must adhere to strict guidelines as allowed by law and may be submitted by completing the disqualification or excusal section of the online Juror Questionnaire.  Please provide verification where needed. You will only be notified if your request is denied.

Appropriate Verification

MEDICAL EXCUSE:
If you are under the age of 70, you must provide the court with a letter from your physician, on the physician’s letterhead, that states you are to be excused from jury service. If the excusal is to be permanent, the letter must state that specifically. Any letters received that do NOT specifically state the excusal is to be permanent will be deemed a temporary excusal and you will be excused for one year.

If you are age 70 or over, and are unable to serve as a juror, you may select that option on the online Juror Questionnaire.  No additional verification will be required.  

CARE PROVIDER EXCUSE:
If you are a care provider for a family member and are unable to serve as a juror, you must provide the court with a letter from family member’s physician, on the physician’s letterhead, that states you are to be excused from jury service. Please note that care providers are only deemed excused annually.

Felony Convictions

Effective January 1, 2020, Senate Bill 310 now allows those parties who have been convicted of a felony (and do NOT fall into one of the categories noted below), the right serve as a trial juror. If you do NOT fall into one of these categories, you will need to follow the reporting instructions on your summons to see when and how you need to report for jury service.

Felony Categories:

• You are currently incarcerated in prison/jail
• You have been convicted of a felony and are currently on parole, post-release community supervision, felony probation, or mandated supervision for the conviction of a felony.
• You are currently required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code based on a felony conviction.
• You have been convicted of malfeasance in office and your civil rights have not been restored.

How Hardships Are Addressed

All eligible persons summoned for jury duty must serve when called up to do so. If you feel you have any reason that would stop you from serving jury duty for the minimum requirement, you must appear for service in the Jury Assembly Room on the first day and complete the orientation process that is required by California law.  You will be given the opportunity to share your hardship with the Court.

Examples of hardships are (but not limited to):

• Financial (you employer does not pay you for jury duty, you are self-employed, or the sole provider for your household)
• Previously scheduled vacation or work trip, medical appointment or procedure
• Childcare
• Transportation

In you have any questions regarding postponement of or excusal from jury service, please contact our office at (559) 416-5570. Business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.