Qualified/Disqualifed

(Please note that a person does not have to be a registered voter
to be eligible to receive a summons.)

THE FOLLOWING HARDSHIPS REQUIRE A JUDGE'S PERSONAL ATTENTION. THEREFORE, THOSE FALLING INTO THESE CATEGORIES MUST APPEAR AT THE COURTHOUSE AS SCHEDULED TO SPEAK WITH A JUDGE:

Please note that upon request, the judge is the only one with the statutory authority to excuse any persons in the above categories from performing juror service where hardship is found. When you report, please notify court personnel that you wish to address the judge concerning your particular hardship.

The table below contains a numbered list of reasons why a person may be disqualified from performing juror service under Massachusetts law. Each Reason For Disqualification has been assigned a "Reason Number" that corresponds with the blue boxes in SECTION B on the Juror Confirmation Form (page 3 of the summons package). The reason number must be marked by placing an X in the appropriate blue box. The column entitled "Instructions For Requesting Disqualification" below explains the information which is required to properly complete SECTION C of the Juror Confirmation Form.

If you do not fall within any of the disqualification descriptions, then you are qualified. If you have a hardship that you believe would prevent you from serving, you must appear and request to speak with a judge.

DISQUALIFICATIONS from JUROR SERVICE
Disqual. #	Disqualification Description	Instructions for Requesting Disqualification
1	Not a Citizen of the United States	Provide alien card identification number, visa status, or any other pertinent information.
2	Age 70 or older and choose not to serve	Provide date of birth.
3	Under the age of 18	Provide date of birth.
4	Cannot speak and understand English	Provide primary language.
5	Moved permanently from the county in which you were summonsed (If you have moved and are not sure if you are in a new county, click here to see an alphabetical listing of cities and towns and the county in which they lie.	Provide new address.
6	Living full-time out of the county in which you were summonsed and do not intend to return for a year or more.	Provide current address and a brief explanation (i.e. active military service, medical internship, etc). Note: this usually does not apply to students.
7	(1) Convicted of a felony within the past 7 years, or (2) currently charged with a felony, or (3) currently in custody. (If you are unsure if the crime involved is a felony, check with the court where the charges were filed.)	(1) Provide the specific charge and date of conviction.
		(2) Provide the specific charge and the name of the court where charged.
		(3) Provide details of your custodial situation.
8	Served as a juror in any state or federal court within the past 3 years, or are currently scheduled for federal or state juror service.	Provide date(s) and place of prior or currently scheduled service.
9	Physically or mentally incapable of performing juror service.	A note from a registered physician or Christian Science Practitioner describing the illness or disability is required. Physician Guideline: A person shall be capable of performing juror service if he or she can perform a sedentary job requiring close attention for 6 hours a day, with breaks in the morning and afternoon, for 3 consecutive days. If the disability is permanent, the physician must identify and describe the disability, explain how it prevents you from ever serving, and state specifically that you will never be able to serve as a juror.
10	Primary caregiver for a permanently disabled person who is a member of the same household.	A note from a registered physician is required describing the kind of care you provide, the doctor's opinion on the risk to the health of the disabled person if you are absent from them, and that you are a member of the same household as the disabled person (Does not apply to the care of healthy children or to professional caregivers.).