Your kid just turned 18 and headed off to campus. Tuition is paid, the dorm is set… then THIS lands in your mailbox. Think your student is too busy for civic duty? Think again. Here is the unexpected hurdle every college parent needs to prep for!

College presents a number of challenges. Among the most obvious are tuition, housing, meal plans, insurance, books and supplies, and transportation. Of course, many parents are concerned about what their 18-year-olds will encounter on campus. That’s a big worry since college has a reputation for being a nonstop, four-year party scene. 

Navigating the Surprise Jury Summons for New Students

But one thing few (if any) parents consider is that their “adult” child is, well, now a legal adult. And that means their “kid” is eligible for jury duty. So, when a summons arrives in the mail, parents are almost always taken by complete surprise.

How to Get Your New, 18-Year-Old College Student Out of Jury Duty

When a jury summons arrives in the mail, it can be a stark reality check for parents and their student alike. It’s a difficult, almost perplexing moment because it brings the circumstances home and the fact that life is about to change drastically. Even though it’s official and enforceable by law, that doesn’t mean there are no ways to opt out. In fact,  most jurisdictions anticipate potential jurors won’t be available for a variety of reasons. So, it is usually possible to request a deferment or exemption. Here’s a general guide that isn’t specific to any jurisdiction:

1. Check the paperwork immediately for deadlines, a website link, or a specific email address. (Also, be sure to verify the information—your child’s name, address, et cetera.)
2. Have a digital copy or a printout of their current full-time class schedule, or an official enrollment letter from the registrar, ready to go.
3. Have your student fill out the mandatory juror information form either online or via mail. (Parents cannot, and should not, do this; let your student complete the form.)
4. Choose the “Full-Time Student aged 18–21” option on the form or the online portal if it’s available from the Clerk of Court’s office.
5. Mail or submit the completed form and supporting documents to the county clerk’s office at least three to four weeks before the trial date.

If your student has permanently relocated and updated their voter registration or driver’s license to their new state, they are no longer a legal resident of the county that issued the summons and can check “Non-Resident of the County” to be disqualified from service.

However, if your student still claims your home as their permanent residence, they can request to postpone jury duty until a major academic break, such as summer or winter vacation, when they will be home.

Please keep in mind that this is just a general guide and is not necessarily applicable to any particular jurisdiction, so the steps may or may not reflect every aspect of specific jurisdictions.

Parents, what have your experiences been, and what would you add?