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Jury Duty Explained
New York state courts

New York jury duty exemptions and excuses

Why New York has no automatic exemptions, the grounds for an excuse, and what to send with your request.

New York has no automatic exemptions1. You can ask to be excused if a mental or physical condition makes you unable to serve, or if serving would cause undue hardship or extreme inconvenience to you, someone in your care or the public2.

Verified November 10, 2026 by Roger K. NeustadtSee sources
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automatic exemptions: no job or age excuses you without a request13.

Who decides

Your county's Commissioner of Jurors decides excuse requests and considers whether you are incapable of serving or would face undue hardship or extreme inconvenience2. If the commissioner says no, you can apply to the court instead4.

Common situations

IfYou are breastfeeding
With a note from a doctor or nurse practitioner, you must be excused or have your service postponed5; a postponement can be up to two years out6.
IfYou care for a child or relative
You can ask to be excused. A statement that you are the primary caregiver is among the supporting proof the courts' standards list7; the commissioner decides whether serving would be an undue hardship2.
IfYou have a disability
The courts provide aids and services to reasonably accommodate jurors with disabilities8, so ask about an accommodation as well as an excuse.
IfServing would cost you too much
Explain the hardship in your request. The commissioner decides whether serving would cause undue hardship or extreme inconvenience2.

What to send

Documents to have ready

  • Your requestMade the way your county's jury office requires9.
  • A doctor's or nurse practitioner's noteRequired for the breastfeeding excuse or postponement5.
  • Proof of your situationFor example, a statement that you are a primary caregiver7.

What to do next

  1. Contact your county's Commissioner of Jurors to ask to be excused9: New York courts juror site
  2. Include the documents that support your request.
  3. If you are turned down, you can apply to the court4.
Postponing in New YorkMove your date instead.Who can serveNew York's eligibility rules.Jury duty in New YorkAll of New York's rules.

Sources

10 official sources, with the exact sentence each rule comes from
  1. NY Courts – Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."There are no automatic exemptions or excuses from jury service in New York State."
  2. 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."
  3. NY Courts – Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."Jurors must be at least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit."
  4. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517(b)."A person whose application has been denied by the commissioner, or who has not applied to the commissioner for an excuse or postponement, may apply to the trial court, or to the court having supervision of the grand jury, as the case may be"
  5. 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."
  6. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517 - Excuses and postponements. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517(a)(2)."provided that if the prospective juror is a breastfeeding mother, the postponement date may be a date certain up to two years after the date on which such service otherwise is to commence."
  7. 22 NYCRR Part 128 – Uniform Rules for the Jury System. 22 NYCRR Part 128, Appendix A, II.B.1."A statement by the applicant that he or she is the primary caregiver"
  8. NY Courts – Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."The court provides services or aids to reasonably accommodate jurors with disabilities."
  9. NY Courts - Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."Any future request for postponement or excusal must be made by contacting your local commissioner of juror's office."
  10. 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"

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.