Can I get out of jury duty in Pennsylvania?

Q: Can I get out of jury duty in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania jury service is governed by 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4501–4563 . Each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties administers its own jury pool. 1. Qualifications (42 Pa.C.S. § 4502) - US citizen, age 18 or older. - Resident of the judicial district (county). - Able to read, write, speak, and understand English . - Not convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison (unless pardoned). - Physically and mentally capable of jury service. 2. Statutory Exemptions (§ 4503) The following are exempt from service : - Persons in active military service . - Spouses, children, parents of armed-forces members killed in action. Judges, prosecutors, and full-time law-enforcement officers may decline service under local rules. 3. Hardship Excusal (§ 4503) A judge may excuse for: - Undue hardship or extreme inconvenience. - Serious medical condition. - Primary caregiver with no alternate. - Active student status. There is no specific statewide age cutoff, though many counties grant excusals for jurors 75+ on request. 4. Juror Pay - $9 per day for the first 3 days in most counties (state minimum). - $25 per day from day 4 onward. - Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties pay $9/day plus mileage reimbursement. 5. Employer Rules (42 Pa.C.S. § 4563) Employers with 15 or more employees must allow leave for jury service and may not deprive an employee of seniority, vacation, or insurance. Wages are not statutorily required. 6. Penalties for Skipping Failure to appear is contempt of court with fines up to $500 and up to 10 days jail under § 4584. This is legal information, not legal advice.

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Accepted Answer

Pennsylvania jury service is governed by 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4501–4563. Each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties administers its own jury pool.

1. Qualifications (42 Pa.C.S. § 4502)

US citizen, age 18 or older.

Resident of the judicial district (county).

Able to read, write, speak, and understand English.

Not convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison (unless pardoned).

Physically and mentally capable of jury service.

2. Statutory Exemptions (§ 4503)

The following are exempt from service:

Persons in active military service.

Spouses, children, parents of armed-forces members killed in action.

Judges, prosecutors, and full-time law-enforcement officers may decline service under local rules.

3. Hardship Excusal (§ 4503)

A judge may excuse for:

Undue hardship or extreme inconvenience.

Serious medical condition.

Primary caregiver with no alternate.

Active student status.

There is no specific statewide age cutoff, though many counties grant excusals for jurors 75+ on request.

4. Juror Pay

$9 per day for the first 3 days in most counties (state minimum).

$25 per day from day 4 onward.

Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties pay $9/day plus mileage reimbursement.

5. Employer Rules (42 Pa.C.S. § 4563)

Employers with 15 or more employees must allow leave for jury service and may not deprive an employee of seniority, vacation, or insurance. Wages are not statutorily required.

6. Penalties for Skipping

Failure to appear is contempt of court with fines up to $500 and up to 10 days jail under § 4584.

This is legal information, not legal advice.