Here’s What Happens When COVID-19 Cancels Your Jury Duty Date

I’ve only had to serve jury duty once before. I was 24 and a nervous wreck beforehand. Now, almost four years later, I am called to serve again. I admit that I was a bit anxious when I saw that little card in the mail for the second time, but felt a bit more prepared after having one experience under my belt. However, I won’t get a chance to report in May since the COVID-19 coronavirus closed the courts indefinitely. I received the email that explained my service was canceled by the court today. At first, I was kind of relieved and thought “Great, I won’t have to worry about that for another three years.” Unfortunately, that’s not the case this time. According to the email I received from The MA Office of Jury Commissioner, “canceled jurors may be summoned again as soon as next year. Only those jurors who are required to actually appear at the courthouse for service are disqualified for the next three years.”

Of all the things being canceled or postponed due to this virus, jury duty seems like the least of our worries. It just kind of stinks that I couldn’t serve my civic duty this year and only get a one-year pass before possibly getting that little card in the mail again.

If you're unsure about the status of your jury duty date, click HERE for more information.