How to get excused from jury duty in Contra Costa County, California
The excusal routes Contra Costa County, California actually recognizes — what each one needs, who decides, and where it goes.
Confirmed with the Contra Costa jury clerk by telephone on 30 September 2026. The two routes are handled very differently. Financial hardship is not decided on paper here — there is no advance route; you raise it in person with the judge, so bring your proof and be ready to explain it. A medical excusal, by contrast, is handled in advance: if you are under 70, a letter from your doctor, sent by email to [email protected] or by mail to the courthouse where you are summoned (Martinez, Pittsburg, or Richmond — addresses below). A postponement can be requested up to two times within any six-month period. Separately, the court warns that all failure-to-appear contact is by US mail only — anyone telephoning to claim you missed a jury date and demanding payment is a scam.
Your routes in Contra Costa County, California
Age 70 or olderUsually automatic
California recognizes age 70+ as an automatic excuse in most counties — no letter or argument required.
See the full detail →Financial hardshipIn person — the judge decides
Contra Costa does not decide financial hardship on paper. You raise it in person with the judge, where you may be excused — there is no advance route.
$14.97 · prepared for you, reviewed before you send it.
Prepare your Talking Points for Judge →Caregiver or medical conditionDoctor’s letter — email or mail, in advance
If you are under 70, a letter from your doctor, sent by email or by mail to the courthouse where you are summoned.
California Rule of Court 2.1008 — as Contra Costa applies it, confirmed by the jury clerk 30 September 2026. The clerk confirmed that a medical excusal for a juror under 70 requires a letter from your doctor, sent by email to [email protected] or by mail to Jury Services at the courthouse where you are summoned. The office did not state what the letter must contain, so nothing below is presented as a Contra Costa requirement it did not make.
$9.97 · prepared for you, reviewed before you send it.
Prepare your What Your Doctor Needs to Write →PostponementFree — up to twice in six months
You can postpone jury service up to two times within a six-month period.
Contra Costa County jury clerk — confirmed by telephone, 30 September 2026. The clerk confirmed that jury service may be postponed up to two times within a six-month period.
See the full detail →Contact the court
Superior Court of Contra Costa County, Juror Service CenterJury line: (925) 608-1000
Medical excusal letters go by email to [email protected] or by mail to Jury Services at the courthouse where you are summoned — Martinez (1020 Ward Street, Martinez, CA 94553), Pittsburg (1000 Center Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565), or Richmond (100 – 37th Street, Richmond, CA 94805). Financial hardship is raised in person with the judge; there is no advance paper route.
Medical excusal letters go by email to [email protected] or by mail to Jury Services at the courthouse where you are summoned — Martinez (1020 Ward Street, Martinez, CA 94553), Pittsburg (1000 Center Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565), or Richmond (100 – 37th Street, Richmond, CA 94805). Financial hardship is raised in person with the judge; there is no advance paper route.
Other counties
JuryFree prepares documents and guidance from the facts you provide. It is not a law firm and does not give legal advice or guarantee any outcome. Court rules and deadlines vary by county and change over time — confirm with the court before you rely on anything here. Questions: [email protected].