CALIFORNIA - JURY DUTY

Are physicians excused from jury duty?

California law does not offer an exemption specifically for physicians, although one of the grounds to be excused includes a juror’s “personal obligation to provide actual and necessary care to another, including the sick, aged, or infirm dependents, or a child who requires the prospective juror’s personal care and attention, and no comparable substitute care is either available or practical without imposing an undue economic hardship on the prospective juror or person cared for.” Such a provision could, arguably be utilized by a physician in an attempt to be excused from jury duty.

Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 860

Copyright © Kern Augustine Conroy and Schoppmann, P.C. Used with permission.

Updated 2008