You may love watching true crime shows on TV and even listening to various podcasts. You get a thrill following the detectives as they collect evidence and arrest the suspect. Even the trial portion of the program is exciting, and you anxiously wait to hear what the jury decides.
While watching the legal process play out on TV is fun, it’s a little different when you receive a jury summons. However, you may be able to be excused from jury duty in Colorado—but what you don’t want to do is ignore the jury summons. Whether it’s your first time being summoned for jury duty or you feel like you’ve already performed your civic duty in the past, you may be able to get out of appearing in court.
Who Qualifies for Jury Duty in Colorado?
The qualifications for jury duty in Colorado are based on Federal requirements, which means it’s the same in every state. You must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age, and you must also live in the county where the trial is occurring.
If you live outside of the county or state, you’re automatically disqualified from jury duty. However, you can still be called for jury duty for any court cases occurring in your county of residence.
You must also be able to read, write, and speak English. While English doesn’t have to be your first or primary language, you do need to have a clear understanding of English grammar and syntax. These qualifications are pretty basic, but there are also exemptions.
What Disqualifies You For Jury Duty
Along with not being a full-time resident of Colorado and the issuing county, a few other factors can disqualify you from serving on a jury. For example, if you’re under the age of 18.
You must be 18 years old when you receive the jury summons. Sometimes, if your birthday is before the trial’s starting date, you may not be exempt. Often, it’s a decision the court makes because of situations like:
- Cannot read, write, speak, or understand English
- Have a physical or mental disability to perform your duties as a juror. You will need to provide medical documentation to support your medical claim.
- Are you the sole caregiver of a disabled person who is at risk if left alone for extended periods?
You may also be exempt from jury duty if you’re already serving on a jury in a state or federal case. You may also be disqualified if you’re already on a jury for a case being tried in your county. In other words, you’re only supposed to serve on one jury at a time or once every 12 months.
Can You Get Out of Jury Duty?
This is a question most potential jurors ask, and while everyone understands the crucial role juries play in the legal system, it’s not the way most people want to spend their time. They can go to some extraordinary lengths to get out of jury service—however, there’s a right and a wrong way to apply to postpone your civic duty.
You can file a jury postponement/excusal request with the court. The form is relatively simple but be prepared to provide supporting documentation. For example, if you’re claiming an illness or jury, you’ll need to supply your medical records.
There are also rules regarding jury postponement. For example, you cannot delay your jury duties for more than six months or into the following year. If your summons comes in November, you’re automatically requalified for jury duty in January. The jury commissioner has the right to approve or deny your postponement request and set your next eligibility date.
Potential Penalties for Skipping Jury Duty
Skipping out on jury duty comes with more than a letter scolding you for ignoring your civic responsibilities. You should expect to receive a certified letter notifying you of your delinquent status.
While jail time is exceedingly rare, even for repeat offenders, other aspects of your life can be affected, which can include a nominal fine or even a hold being placed on your license. You may also be required to pay a fine to renew your driver’s license.
Once again, it’s up to the jury commission to send the certified letter and take another punitive action. Sometimes, first-offenders get off only with a warning. However, it’s always best to not ignore a jury summons.
What Happens if You Miss Work
If your job has a typical 9-5 schedule and you work during the week, you should plan on missing at least one scheduled shift. Since most trials last longer than a day or so, plan on missing several days of work.
Yes, this can affect your take-home pay, and even salaried employees may lose some of their regular wages—this is up to your employer’s discretion. What your employer can’t do is punish or fire you for missing work, since jury duty is not a legitimate reason to terminate an employee for not showing up. If you’re terminated, you have the grounds for a wrongful firing lawsuit.
You will receive the same daily stipend for jury service. You should accept to receive the check shortly after the trial wraps up. Don’t expect the jury pay to equal your regular check. A common joke is jury duty pays enough to cover court parking costs. Remember, you’re not sitting on a jury to earn a living. Instead, you are doing your part to help keep the justice system moving along.
Get Ready for Jury Duty, But Stay Informed
There’s always a chance the case you’re a juror on doesn’t actually go to trial. Negotiations frequently continue up to the trial date, and you typically receive your summons weeks in advance. By the time the court date arrives, the case may be settled, which means you’ve successfully avoided jury duty for at least one year.
Yes, receiving a jury summons, even if the case doesn’t go to trial, counts. The best advice here is to contact the phone number included on your summons. There should also be a website listed. Staying current with the upcoming case will let you know if you need to make plans to serve on a jury.
