To email a professor about jury duty, tell them the date you have been summoned, that you may miss class while you serve, and that you can provide a copy of the summons and proof of attendance from the court. Ask how to make up any work, and mention whether you have asked the court to postpone your service. Jury service is a legal obligation, so most professors will work with you, but you still need to give notice early.
Below is a template, sample emails for a single day and for a longer trial, and tips on postponing service when it clashes with exams.
Jury Duty Email Template
Subject: Jury Duty Summons – Possible Absence on [Date]
Dear Professor [Last Name],
I have received a jury duty summons for [date]. I may need to miss [course name] on that day, and possibly longer if I am selected for a trial.
I can share a copy of the summons now and a proof-of-attendance letter from the court afterward. Could you let me know how I should make up any work I miss? I will update you as soon as I know whether I have been selected.
Thank you,
[Full Name]
[Course and Section]
[Student ID]
What to Include
- The summons date. Give the date on the summons and the court location if travel time matters.
- Uncertainty. You may be dismissed the same day or selected for a trial. Say you will update them.
- Documentation. Offer a copy of the summons and the court’s attendance confirmation.
- Your plan. Mention how you will keep up: readings, recorded lectures, a classmate’s notes.
Sample Emails
1. One day of service
Subject: Jury Duty Next Monday – Economics Lecture
Dear Professor Martin,
I have been summoned for jury duty next Monday and will miss our economics lecture. I have attached a copy of the summons. I will review the slides and complete the problem set on time. Please let me know if anything else is needed.
Thank you,
Avery Collins
2. Selected for a trial
Subject: Selected for Jury – Update on Absences
Dear Dr. Hughes,
I was selected as a juror and the trial is expected to continue through the end of next week. I will miss our Tuesday and Thursday sessions in that period. The court will give me a letter confirming the dates. Could we discuss how to handle the presentation that was scheduled for Thursday?
Sincerely,
Jordan Price
3. Asking whether to request a postponement
Subject: Jury Summons During Final Exams
Dear Professor Kim,
My jury summons falls during the final exam period. Before I contact the court, I wanted to check whether the final could be moved, or whether I should request a postponement of my service. I can share the summons if helpful.
Best regards,
Riley Evans
Postponing Jury Service as a Student
Many courts allow jurors to ask for a postponement (sometimes called a deferral) to a later date, and students often request one to avoid exams or a full-time class schedule. The process and rules are set by each court, and the summons usually explains how to apply, often online or by phone. If you are attending college away from home, check the instructions on the summons, since some courts handle students who live elsewhere differently. Do not ignore a summons; contact the court before the reporting date.
Tips
- Email every affected professor, not just the one with an exam.
- Keep the court’s attendance letter until final grades are posted.
- If service lasts more than a few days, let your academic advisor or Dean of Students office know.
Writing to a professor for another reason? Use our templates for an absence email, a sick email, a death in the family, or emails about hospital stay, accommodation request and zoom link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is jury duty an excused absence in college?
Most colleges treat jury service as a legitimate absence, but the specific policy is in your syllabus or student handbook. Give notice and documentation either way.
Can college students get out of jury duty?
Being a student does not automatically excuse you, but many courts let students postpone service to a more convenient date. Follow the instructions on your summons.
What proof do I give my professor?
A copy of the summons in advance and the attendance confirmation the court provides after you serve.