Independent guide to jury service. Not affiliated with any court or government agency.
Jury Duty Explained

Jury duty during a planned vacation

How to move your date around a trip, the deadlines, and what not to do.

Ask to postpone before your date. In New York State courts, and under Texas's statewide rule if you have not postponed in that county in the past year, a first postponement can be to a date up to six months after the original12. California courts should grant a one-time deferral3. Federal districts set their own process4.

Verified November 10, 2026 by Roger K. NeustadtSee sources

Deadlines for moving your date

1 weekNew York State

Use your first postponement online or by phone at least a week before your date5.

Before your dateTexas

Ask in person, in writing or by phone before your summons date2.

10 daysEastern District of NY

Written requests are due at least 10 days before your date6.

6 monthsNew York; Texas statewide rule

The furthest a first postponement can go12.

Planning around a trip

Do

  • Ask as soon as you know about the conflict.
  • Pick a new date you are sure you can make; Texas grants further postponements only for emergencies under its statewide rule2.
  • Keep your booking confirmation in case the court asks why.

Don't

  • Simply not show up; in New York that can bring a civil penalty of up to $2507.
  • Use up your one easy postponement on a date you might also miss.
  • Assume a federal summons follows state rules; the Southern District wants your summons back with dates within six months8.

Questions

Can my employer make me use vacation days for jury duty?

In New York, the courts say making you use vacation, personal or sick time is an illegal penalty9.

I'm already away when the summons arrives.

Contact the jury office as soon as you can. In Dallas County, if you missed your date for reasons beyond your control, there is a two-week grace period to send a letter of explanation10.

What to do next

  1. Use the date checker on how to postpone jury duty to see your latest date.
  2. Request the postponement before your deadline and keep the confirmation.
How to postpone jury dutyPostponements compared, with a date checker.Missed jury dutyIf you already missed it.

Sources

10 official sources, with the exact sentence each rule comes from
  1. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517 – Excuses and postponements. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517(a)(2)."An application for postponement of jury service shall be granted hereunder provided: (i) such service has not already been postponed or excused, (ii) the application is made at such time and in such manner as the commissioner of jurors requires, and (iii) the postponement is to a date certain when the court is in session not more than six months after the date on which such service otherwise is to commence and such date is selected by the prospective juror"
  2. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0143 – Postponement of Jury Service. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0143."(b) On receipt of a request under Subsection (a), the clerk of the court shall grant the person a postponement if: (1) the person has not been granted a postponement in that county during the one-year period preceding the date on which the person is summoned to appear; and (2) the person and the clerk determine a substitute date on which the person will appear for jury service that is not later than six months after the date on which the person was originally summoned to appear."
  3. Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.1004. Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.1004(a)."The jury commissioner should accommodate a prospective juror's schedule by granting a prospective juror's request for a one-time deferral of jury service."
  4. 28 U.S. Code § 1866 - Selection and summoning of jury panels (LII). 28 U.S.C. § 1866(c)(1)."Provided, That any person summoned for jury service may be (1) excused by the court, or by the clerk under supervision of the court if the court’s jury selection plan so authorizes, upon a showing of undue hardship or extreme inconvenience, for such period as the court deems necessary, at the conclusion of which such person either shall be summoned again for jury service under subsections (b) and (c) of this section or, if the court’s jury selection plan so provides, the name of such person shall be reinserted into the qualified jury wheel for selection pursuant to subsection (a) of this section,"
  5. NY Courts – Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."You can postpone your service once online or by calling 800-449-2819 at least one week before your date of service."
  6. Summons Information | US Courts - New York Eastern District. EDNY Summons Information."Jurors requesting to be excused from or postpone their jury service may place their request in writing no less than 10 days prior to the summons date to the jury office. ... Postponements or excusals will not be accepted via email."
  7. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527 – Procedure for noncompliance. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527(1)."Such person shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars for failing to respond or attend in violation of the provisions of this article."
  8. Jury Duty Frequently Asked Questions | U.S District Court (SDNY). SDNY Jury Duty FAQ."If you would like to postpone your jury service to a more convenient time, use the return envelope to mail the summons and a brief note indicating when you can serve within the next six months. However, if your summons states "MUST SERVE ", then you have exhausted your postponements and must serve."
  9. NYS Unified Court System – Jury Information for Employers (Revised June 2025). UCS Jury Information for Employers (interpreting Judiciary Law § 519)."No. It is an illegal penalty to force an employee to charge jury duty absence against vacation, personal or sick time."
  10. Dallas County Jury Services - Frequently Asked Questions. Dallas County Jury Services FAQ."No, you will not be arrested. There is a 2 week grace period in which you may send a letter of explanation to the Jury Services Department and you will be rescheduled."

Reviewed by Roger K. Neustadt, JD, attorney admitted in Georgia. Verified November 10, 2026.

Roger K. Neustadt is admitted in Georgia; pages about other states and federal courts are general information checked against official sources. How we check every rule: editorial policy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

This page explains the law in general terms and is not legal advice. Jury Duty Explained is not affiliated with any court. Your summons and your court's instructions control, so check them first.