You can volunteer for jury duty, but the court decides whether to use you
Most people receive jury summonses by mail — the court picks names from voter registration or driver's license records. But you can contact your local court directly and ask to be placed on the jury pool. The court will send you a summons, usually within weeks or months, depending on how many jurors they need and how often trials happen in your area.
Volunteering does not may provide you will be selected. The court still screens you during jury selection (called voir dire), and either side in a case can reject you without stating a reason. You may also be dismissed if you do not meet the basic requirements: U.S. citizenship, age 18 or older, ability to speak English, and no felony conviction.
The main reason to volunteer is if you want the experience or believe in jury service. There is no financial benefit — jurors are typically paid $15 to $50 per day, depending on the court and how long the trial lasts. Some employers pay your full salary during jury duty; others do not. Federal law protects you from being fired for serving, but state protections vary.
Key Takeaways
- Contact your local court's jury office directly to volunteer; they will add your name to the pool and send you a summons when needed.
- Volunteering does not mean you will be selected — the court and attorneys still screen you, and you can be rejected at any stage.
- You must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, speak English, and have no felony conviction to serve on a jury.
- Jurors are paid a small daily fee, usually $15 to $50, and federal law prevents employers from firing you for serving, though state laws vary.
- The time commitment ranges from one day to several weeks, depending on the type of case and whether it goes to trial.
How to contact your court and volunteer
Find your local court's jury office by searching "[your county] court jury duty" or visiting your state court's website. Most courts have a jury hotline, email address, or online form where you can request to be added to the jury pool. You will need to provide your name, address, phone number, and date of birth.
Some courts maintain a standing volunteer list and call people as cases come up. Others add you to the regular summons pool, so you may receive a summons weeks or months later. A few courts do not accept volunteers and only use names from official records, so calling ahead saves you time.
When you contact the court, ask how long it typically takes to receive a summons after volunteering. This varies widely — a busy urban court might call you within a month, while a rural court might wait six months or longer.
What happens after you volunteer
Once the court adds you to the pool, you will receive a summons in the mail. The summons tells you the date, time, and location to report, and what to bring (usually a photo ID and proof of citizenship). You may also receive a juror questionnaire to fill out before you arrive, asking about your background, work, and any hardships that would make serving difficult.
On the day you report, you will wait in a jury assembly room with other potential jurors. The court will call groups to courtrooms for jury selection. During selection, the judge and attorneys ask you questions about your background, beliefs, and ability to be fair. This process can take a few hours or an entire day, depending on the case.
If you are selected, you will be sworn in and the trial begins. If you are not selected, you are dismissed and may be called back for another trial later, or your service ends for that term.
Basic requirements you must meet
To serve on a jury, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and able to speak, read, and understand English. You cannot have been convicted of a felony, or if you have, your rights must have been restored by your state. Some states also disqualify people with certain misdemeanor convictions.
You must also be mentally and physically able to sit through a trial, which can last anywhere from one day to several weeks. If you have a medical condition or disability that makes this impossible, you can request to be excused or postponed to a later date.
If you do not meet these requirements, the court will dismiss you during screening or when you report. There is no penalty for not meeting the basic rules.
Reasons the court might reject you during selection
Even if you meet the basic requirements, attorneys can reject you during jury selection without giving a reason. This is called a peremptory challenge, and each side gets a limited number. Attorneys use these to remove people they think might not favor their client.
The judge can also dismiss you for cause, meaning there is a specific reason you cannot be fair. Examples include: you know the defendant or a witness, you have a personal stake in the outcome, you have strong beliefs that would prevent you from following the law, or you admitted you cannot be impartial.
If you are dismissed, you are free to leave. Some courts will call you back for another trial the same day or later in the week.
How long jury duty lasts and what you are paid
The length of jury service depends on the type of case. A criminal misdemeanor trial might last one to three days. A felony trial can run one to four weeks. Civil cases (lawsuits between private parties) vary widely — some settle before trial, others last weeks.
Jurors are paid a daily fee set by each court. Federal courts typically pay $50 per day for the first three days, then $50 per day after that. State courts pay less, usually $15 to $40 per day. A few courts pay nothing for the first few days, then increase the rate if the trial is long.
Federal law (the Jury Systems Improvements Act) prohibits employers from firing you for jury service. However, this protection applies only to the time you actually serve. State laws vary — some states extend protection to time spent in jury selection, others do not. Check your state's law or ask your employer about their policy before you report.
What to bring and how to prepare
Bring a photo ID (driver's license or passport) and proof of citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization papers, or passport). Some courts also ask for proof of residence, such as a utility bill or lease. Check your summons for the specific list.
Wear business casual or formal clothing — jeans and t-shirts are generally not appropriate. Arrive early; courts take tardiness seriously and may dismiss you or hold you in contempt. Bring a book or phone charger, as you may wait several hours before being called to a courtroom.
If you have a hardship that makes serving difficult — a medical condition, caregiving responsibilities, financial hardship, or a scheduled vacation — tell the judge when you report. You can request to be excused or postponed to a later date. The judge decides whether to grant your request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I definitely be called for jury duty after I volunteer?
No. The court adds you to the jury pool, but whether you are called depends on how many trials happen and how many jurors are needed. You might be called within weeks, or you might never be called. Courts do not may provide that volunteers will serve.
Can I volunteer for a specific type of case, like a criminal trial?
No. When you volunteer, you are added to the general jury pool. The court assigns you to whatever case needs jurors when your name is drawn. You cannot choose criminal over civil or vice versa.
What happens if I ignore my summons after volunteering?
Ignoring a summons can result in a fine, usually $100 to $500, or a contempt of court charge. If you cannot attend, call the court's jury office before the date and ask to reschedule. Most courts will postpone you to a later date.
Do I have to disclose my volunteer status during jury selection?
No. Volunteering is not disclosed to attorneys or the judge. You are treated the same as anyone else in the jury pool. Your volunteer status does not affect how you are screened or whether you are selected.
Can I volunteer if I have been dismissed from jury duty before?
Yes. A previous dismissal does not prevent you from volunteering again. However, if you were dismissed for cause (such as bias or inability to be fair), the same reason might come up again during selection for a new case.