Courts can excuse you if a physical or mental condition makes you unable to serve. New York considers incapacity1; Texas lets a judge or authorized clerk exempt you for an impairment, with an affidavit and a doctor's statement2; federal law disqualifies people whose infirmity makes them incapable of satisfactory service3.
What to send
Documents to have ready
By court
| Court | The rule | Permanent? |
|---|---|---|
| New York State courts | Excuse for a mental or physical condition that makes you incapable of serving1 | Ask your Commissioner of Jurors |
| Texas state courts | Exemption for an impairment that makes service impossible or very difficult2 | Can be permanent or for a set time2 |
| California state courts | Permanent medical excuse with a signed letter from your treating provider6 | Yes, if permanent6 |
| Georgia state courts | A clerk may permanently remove someone with a permanent mental or physical disability7; proof is set locally (Gwinnett asks for a physician's documentation8) | Yes, if permanent7 |
| Federal courts | Disqualified if incapable of satisfactory service because of infirmity3 | Your district decides |
Rules for more states are being added as their research is completed.
Questions
I can serve with some help. What then?
Does being blind or deaf disqualify me in Texas?
Not automatically. A deaf or hard of hearing person is disqualified only if the court finds the hearing loss makes them unfit for that case. In civil cases, the same applies to legal blindness11.
I am breastfeeding.
In New York State courts, a note from a doctor or nurse practitioner means you must be excused or postponed12. California lets you defer for up to a year, renewable while you are still breastfeeding; a written request under penalty of perjury must be granted13. Dallas County's Frank Crowley building has a mother's room14.
What to do next
- Ask your doctor for a statement that explains why you cannot serve, and for how long.
- Send it with any affidavit or form your court requires, before your date.
- If you could serve with help, ask for an accommodation instead.
Related
Sources
14 official sources, with the exact sentence each rule comes from
- N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517(c)."the commissioner or the court shall consider whether the applicant has a mental or physical condition that causes him or her to be incapable of performing jury service or there is any other fact indicates that attendance for jury service in accordance with the summons would cause undue hardship or extreme inconvenience to the applicant, a person under his or her care or supervision, or the public."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.109 – Exemption for Physical or Mental Impairment or Inability to Comprehend English. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.109."(a) The judge of a district court or, if authorized by the local administrative district judge or the county jury plan, the district clerk may permanently or for a specified period exempt from service as a juror in all the county and district courts in the county a person with a physical or mental impairment or with an inability to comprehend or communicate in the English language that makes it impossible or very difficult for the person to serve on a jury."
- 28 U.S. Code § 1865 - Qualifications for jury service (LII). 28 U.S.C. § 1865(b)(4)."(4) is incapable, by reason of mental or physical infirmity, to render satisfactory jury service; or"
- Dallas County Jury Services - Exemptions. Dallas County Jury Services, Exemptions page."Have a medical condition which prevents you from serving. This exemption requires a statement from your doctor explaining your condition and why you are unable to serve jury duty."
- Harris County District Clerk - About Jury (Jury Services page template). Harris County District Clerk, Jury Services page (Medical Exemptions)."To claim a medical exemption , you must submit a sworn affidavit to the court stating your name and address and the reason for and the duration of the requested exemption. ... You must also attach to the affidavit a statement from a physician."
- Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.1009. Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.1009(c)."An applicant must submit to the jury commissioner a written request for permanent medical excuse with a supporting letter, memo, or note from a treating health care provider."
- Supreme Court of Georgia, Jury Composition Rule (amended eff. April 11, 2019), gasupreme.us. Jury Composition Rule ¶ 5(g)(i); O.C.G.A. § 15-12-1.1(a)(1)."Who is ineligible due to permanent mental or physical disability. See OCGA §§ 15-12-1.1 (a) (1) and 15-12-40."
- Gwinnett County Courts - Jury Services (gwinnettcourts.com). Gwinnett Courts, Jury Services page."Once the exemption form is completed and notarized, you can email the form by scanning it (pdf format) or by taking picture and e-mailing it to: jurorinfo@gwinnettcounty.com . The notary stamp must be visible. ... Persons who are permanently disabled either mentally or physically, will be permanently excused upon receipt of proper documentation from their medical physician."
- NY Courts – Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."The court provides services or aids to reasonably accommodate jurors with disabilities."
- Harris County District Clerk - About Jury (Jury Services page template). Harris County District Clerk, Jury Services page (Assistive Listening Devices)."Sign language and captioning are also provided upon request. Please contact Harris County Jury Assembly at (713) 755-6392 or via e-mail at jury@hcdistrictclerk.com at least one day before you are scheduled to appear."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.1041 – Deaf or Hard of Hearing Juror. Tex. Gov't Code §§ 62.104, 62.1041."(a) A deaf or hard of hearing person is not disqualified to serve as a juror solely because of hearing loss except as provided by this section."
- N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517(a)(1),(2)."provided that if the prospective juror is a breastfeeding mother and submits with her application a note from a physician or nurse practitioner indicating that the prospective juror is breastfeeding, the commissioner shall excuse the prospective juror or postpone the time of jury service."
- Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.1006. Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.1006; Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 210.5."A prospective juror who is breastfeeding a child may request that jury service be deferred for up to one year, and may renew that request as long as the prospective juror is breastfeeding. If the request is made in writing, under penalty of perjury, the jury commissioner must grant it without requiring the prospective juror to appear at court."
- Dallas County Jury Services - Frequently Asked Questions. Dallas County Jury Services FAQ."The Frank Crowley “Mother’s Room” is located on the first floor on the public hallway between the escalator and the cafeteria. Jury Services’ staff has a code to the door that they provide to the jurors."
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.