How you know you have jury duty
You have jury duty when you receive an official summons in the mail from a court. The summons is a legal document that tells you which court, which date, and what time to appear. It comes from the clerk's office of a specific court — usually a district court, superior court, or municipal court depending on where you live. The envelope will have the court's name and seal on it, not a private company's name.
The summons will include your juror number, the case type or trial date, and instructions on what to bring. It is not a bill, a scam, or optional. Ignoring it can result in fines or a court order to appear. If you receive something that claims to be a jury summons but asks you to pay money upfront or verify personal information over the phone, that is a scam — real courts do not do this.
Key Takeaways
- A real jury summons arrives by mail from a court clerk's office and includes your juror number, a court name, and a specific date and time to appear.
- Scammers sometimes impersonate courts by phone or email; real courts send official mail and do not ask you to pay or verify information before you arrive.
- You cannot be summoned for jury duty if you are not a registered voter, a licensed driver, or on a state ID list in your state.
- If you receive a summons, you must respond by the deadline even if you cannot serve, because ignoring it is a crime in most states.
- The court can postpone or excuse you from service, but you have to request it in writing or by phone before your report date.
Where jury summonses come from
Courts generate jury summonses from voter registration lists, driver's license records, or state ID lists — the source varies by state and county. The clerk's office pulls names at random and mails summonses to people who meet basic requirements: usually age 18 or older, a U.S. citizen, and able to speak English. The summons arrives at the address on file with the voter or DMV records, which is why it is important to keep your registration current if you move.
You cannot control whether your name is drawn, and being summoned does not mean you did anything wrong. It is a random process, and most people are summoned at least once in their lifetime. Some people are summoned multiple times; others never are. The court does not contact you before the summons arrives in the mail.
What the summons document includes
A real jury summons contains specific information you will need on your report date. It will show the court's name and address, your assigned juror number, the date and time you must appear, and the building or courtroom location. It also lists what to bring — usually a photo ID and proof of citizenship, though requirements differ by court. Some summonses include a questionnaire you must fill out and return before your date.
The summons will explain what happens if you do not show up and may include a phone number or website to request a postponement or excuse. Read the entire document carefully, because missing a deadline to respond can result in a fine or a bench warrant. If any part is unclear, call the court's jury office using the number on the summons — do not search for a number online, because scammers sometimes create fake court websites.
How to spot a jury duty scam
Scammers call or email people claiming to be from a court and threatening arrest if they do not pay a fine for missing jury duty. Real courts do not contact you by phone or email to demand payment. A real summons arrives by mail, and if you miss your date, the court sends official paperwork — not a phone call — before any fine is issued.
Red flags include: someone asking you to pay by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency; requests for your Social Security number or bank details before you appear in person; pressure to act immediately; or a caller who cannot tell you the exact court name or case number. If you are unsure, hang up and call the court directly using the number on your summons or from the court's official website.
What to do if you receive a summons
Read the summons completely and note the report date, time, and location. Check whether it includes a questionnaire or requires you to respond before your date. If you must respond, do so by the deadline listed — do not wait until the day you are supposed to appear. If you cannot serve on the assigned date, contact the court's jury office as soon as possible to request a postponement to a different date or an excuse from service.
Bring the summons with you on your report date, along with the documents it lists. Arrive early, bring a photo ID, and plan to spend at least a few hours. You may be dismissed after jury selection, or you may be assigned to a trial that lasts days or weeks. The court will tell you what to expect when you arrive.
Reasons you might not be summoned
You will not receive a jury summons if you are not on a voter registration list, do not have a driver's license, and are not on your state's ID database. You also will not be summoned if you are under 18, not a U.S. citizen, or do not speak English well enough to serve. Some states exclude people with felony convictions or active restraining orders.
If you believe you should not have been summoned because you do not meet the basic requirements, bring proof to your report date or contact the jury office before then. Do not ignore the summons — contact the court instead.
What happens if you ignore a summons
Ignoring a jury summons is contempt of court in most states and can result in a fine, usually between $100 and $1,000 depending on your state and whether it is your first offense. The court may also issue a bench warrant for your arrest. If you miss your date, the court will send you a notice of failure to appear, which gives you a chance to explain or reschedule before any penalty is imposed.
If you cannot serve, always contact the court to request a postponement or excuse rather than simply not showing up. Courts are often willing to reschedule you to a different date or excuse you for hardship reasons, but only if you ask in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be summoned for jury duty if I am not a citizen?
No. You must be a U.S. citizen to serve on a jury. You also must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the state or county where the court is located. If you receive a summons and do not meet these requirements, contact the court to let them know.
What if I think the summons is fake?
Call the court using the phone number on the summons itself — not a number you find online — and ask whether your name is in their jury system. Real courts keep records of all summonses they send. If the court has no record of you, the summons is likely a scam.
Do I have to serve if I am summoned?
You must respond to the summons, but you can request a postponement to a different date or ask to be excused for hardship, medical reasons, or other conflicts. The court decides whether to grant your request. Ignoring the summons without responding is illegal.
How long does jury duty last?
It depends on the case. Jury selection alone can take a few hours to a full day. If you are chosen for a trial, it may last one day, one week, or several weeks. The court will tell you the expected length when you arrive or during selection.
Will I be paid for jury duty?
Most courts pay jurors a small amount — often $15 to $50 per day — though some pay nothing for the first few days. Payment varies widely by state and court. The summons or court website will tell you the pay rate for your court.