In many states- seniors have the right to decline jury duty based on their age. But the age limits and rules vary by state and by type of court- so if you are summoned for jury duty- check with the court to determine if you are exempt.
The majority of states have a rule in place that allows individuals over a certain age to choose not to serve on a jury if called. How this works varies by state and by court. Some states allow anyone over a certain age to be permanently exempted; other states allow seniors to be excused from serving if they are called. Some states require notice in writing; other states have a box the senior can check on the jury summons form. The ages at which seniors can be exempted or excused are 65 (Mississippi and South Carolina)- 70 (Alabama- Alaska- California- Colorado- Connecticut- Delaware- Florida- Georgia- Idaho- Illinois- Louisiana- Maryland- Massachusetts- Michigan- Minnesota- New Hampshire- Nevada- Oklahoma- Oregon- Texas- Virginia- and West Virginia)- 72 (North Carolina and Wyoming)- 75 (Arizona- Indiana- New Jersey- New Mexico- New York- Ohio- and Pennsylvania)- and 80 (Hawaii and South Dakota).
Some states have more complicated rules regarding seniors and jury duty. In Nevada- for example- everyone over age 65 who lives 65 miles or more away from the court is exempt from serving on a jury. Once you reach age 70 in Nevada- you are exempt from serving on a jury no matter where you live. In California- individuals with a permanent health problem can be exempted from jury duty- but if you are 70 years or older- you don’t need a doctor’s verification of the health problem.
Each of the federal district courts has its own rules about jury service. Many federal courts offer excuses from service- on individual request- to designated groups- including people over age 70.