# 42 Pa.C.S. § 4503: Exemptions from jury duty

> Pennsylvania · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C45_S4503

## Section

- **Citation:** 42 Pa.C.S. § 4503
- **Heading:** Exemptions from jury duty
- **Jurisdiction:** Pennsylvania
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** PA Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 4503

## Text

(a) General rule.--No person shall be exempt or excused from jury duty except the following:

(1) Persons in active service of the armed forces of the United States or of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

(2) Persons who have served within three years next preceding on any jury except a person who served as a juror for fewer than three days in any one year in which case the exemption period shall be one year.

(3) Persons demonstrating to the court undue hardship or extreme inconvenience may be excused permanently or for such period as the court determines is necessary, and if excused for a limited period shall, at the end of the period, be assigned to the next jury array.

(4) Spouses, children, siblings, parents, grandparents and grandchildren of victims of criminal homicide under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2501 (relating to criminal homicide).

(5) Persons who have previously served for a term of 18 months on a Statewide investigating grand jury, including any extensions thereof, who opt not to serve.

(6) Persons 75 years of age or older who request to be excused.

(7) Judges and magisterial district judges of the Commonwealth and judges of the United States as defined in 28 U.S.C. § 451 (relating to definitions).

(8) Breastfeeding women who request to be excused.

(b) Challenges.--This subchapter shall not affect the existing practice with respect to peremptory challenges and challenges for cause. (Dec. 20, 1982, P.L.1409, No.326, eff. 60 days; Oct. 17, 2002, P.L.886, No.128, eff. 60 days; June 13, 2012, P.L.636, No.63, eff. 60 days; Oct. 30, 2015, P.L.215, No.54, eff. 60 days) 2015 Amendment. Act 54 added subsec. (a)(6), (7) and (8). 2012 Amendment. Act 63 added subsec. (a)(5). Cross References. Section 4503 is referred to in sections 4521, 4523, 4584 of this title.

## Nearby sections

- [42 Pa.C.S. § 4501 Declaration of policy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C45_S4501.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 4502 Qualifications of jurors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C45_S4502.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 4503 Exemptions from jury duty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C45_S4503.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 4521 Selection of prospective jurors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C45_S4521.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 4521.1 Statewide jury information system.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C45_S4521.1.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 4522 List of qualified jurors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C45_S4522.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 4523 List of disqualified jurors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C45_S4523.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 4524 Selection of jurors for service.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C45_S4524.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 4525 Equipment used for selection of jurors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C45_S4525.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 4526 Challenging compliance with selection procedures.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C45_S4526.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 4527 Effect of verdict on jury selection errors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C45_S4527.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 4531 Issuance of court orders for jurors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C45_S4531.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 4532 Summoning persons to serve as jurors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C45_S4532.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 4541 Short title of subchapter.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C45_S4541.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C45_S4503. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.