Section 494.432

Title XXXIV JURIES

Chapter 494

Effective - 28 Aug 2005, 2 histories   

  494.432.  Postponement of jury duty, when. — 1.  Individuals scheduled to appear for jury service have the right to postpone the date of their initial appearance for jury service one time only for reasons other than undue influence or extreme physical or financial hardship.  When requested, postponements shall be granted, provided that:

  (1)  The prospective juror has not previously been granted a postponement;

  (2)  The prospective juror appears in person or contacts the board of jury commissioners by telephone, electronic mail, or in writing to request a postponement; and

  (3)  Prior to the grant of a postponement the court shall set the date on which the prospective juror will appear for jury service that is not more than six months after the date on which the prospective juror originally was called to serve and on which date the court will be in session.  If a prospective juror is a full-time student of any accredited institution, the court shall set the date on which the prospective juror will appear for jury service that is not more than twelve months after the date on which the prospective juror originally was called to serve and on which the court will be in session.

  2.  A subsequent request to postpone jury service may be approved by a judicial officer only in the event of an extreme emergency, such as a death in the family, sudden grave illness, or a natural disaster or national emergency in which the prospective juror is personally involved, that could not have been anticipated at the time the initial postponement was granted.  Prior to the grant of a second postponement, the prospective juror must fix a date certain on which the individual will appear for jury service within six months of the postponement on a date when the court will be in session.

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(L. 2004 S.B. 1211, A.L. 2005 S.B. 420 & 344)