New Legislation Excuses New Mothers from Jury Duty
Recently, new legislation, signed by Florida's Governor, allows new mothers to be excused from jury duty. House Bill 461 introduces an optional exemption for women who have recently given birth. Under this law, any woman who has given birth within six months before the reporting date on the jury summons can request to be excused.
In Hillsborough County, there are already provisions for excusals upon request for expectant mothers and parents who are not employed full-time and have custody of children under six. When the new law takes effect on July 1st, the jury summons in Hillsborough County will include updated language reflecting these exemptions.
In March of 2023, lawmakers in Florida unanimously approved a measure that requires courthouses across the state to provide free, clean, and private lactation rooms. These lactation rooms are in the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse and the Courthouse Annex in downtown Tampa. Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller jury service employees will be available to assist nursing mothers in accessing these rooms.
It is important to note that jury service is a civic responsibility shared by all U.S. citizens and is an essential part of our democratic system. Florida law aims to ensure that juries are composed of a diverse cross-section of the community, including individuals from different backgrounds and social groups, to form a fair representation in civil and criminal courts.
Florida law requires the selection of potential jurors randomly from records of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) containing the names of individuals with a driver's license or identification card in the county.
If you receive a jury summons in the mail, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- The office has created a video about parking and directions to the courthouse, which can be found on our jury page.
- If you have prior commitments on your calendar, there may be ways to help in some cases. Several other reasons may qualify you for an excusal, such as being a full-time law enforcement officer, being 70 years of age or older and requesting a permanent excusal, or having a mental or physical incapacity.
- Our jury page provides information on these and other exemptions. Understand that if a postponement is granted, then you will be summoned at a later time as permitted by law.
If you are chosen to serve as a juror, the office assures you that it is committed to keeping you comfortable and well-informed. Excellent customer service will be provided while you wait for your jury service.
Please remember jury scams are prevalent. The Clerk’s office will never ask you for money and local law enforcement will not contact you regarding jury summons. If you receive a suspicious phone call about jury duty, hang up, and contact local law enforcement immediately. Our article on Jury Scams can help you spot the warning signs to protect yourself from fraud.