I"ve been summoned for jury duty twice in my life. The first time, in CT, was over 15 years ago. Beth and I had just bought tickets for a Caribbean cruise, for the very same week I was to appear.
I knew enough to understand it would be a total waste of time to try to get out on grounds I was too busy or important. So I called them, and explained that I wasn't attempting to evade my civic responsibility, just some other week, please, since I had this vacation booked? They instructed me to send a letter, along with copies of my tickets. Upon receiving that, they would let me off and put me into the pool for the near future.
I got excused without a hitch, but lived in the state for two more years, and never heard again from them. So, my conclusion was, if you want to get out of jury duty, just book a totally cancellable vacation immediately upon receiving the notice, and then plead the conflict, cancel after getting the all-clear, and you may well never be called again. (I'm not endorsing this behavior, mind you--I am merely documenting this apparent hole in the system.)
I lived in Indiana 10 years without ever being called. Now, in Minnesota for just over 2 years, I received a summons. And wouldn't you know it--I have a cruise booked the same week. Honestly. Yes, it really was previously booked!
This time, they did not ask for proof, but did ask me to indicate when I would be available to serve. We'll see what happens. One would hope, especially with increasing computerization in the intervening decade, that they find me again within the year.
10:13:52 PM 
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