What happens when you receive a jury summons
A jury summons is a court order requiring you to appear on a specific date at a specific courthouse. It arrives by mail and includes the date, time, location, and what to bring. You are legally required to respond — ignoring a summons can result in a fine or contempt of court charges.
The summons tells you whether to report to the courthouse itself or call a phone number the night before to see if your group has been selected. Some courts use a standby system where you call in; others require everyone to show up. Read the summons carefully because the instructions vary by court and case type.
If you have a genuine hardship — a medical condition, financial crisis, or pre-planned travel you cannot change — you can request postponement or dismissal before your date. You must submit this request in writing to the court address on the summons, usually at least two weeks ahead. The judge decides whether to grant it. Simply not showing up is not a valid way to handle hardship and will result in legal consequences.
Key Takeaways
- A jury summons is a legal order to appear at a specific courthouse on a specific date; ignoring it can result in fines or contempt charges.
- The summons tells you whether to report in person or call the night before; follow those instructions exactly.
- If you have a genuine hardship, request postponement or dismissal in writing before your date — do not simply skip jury duty.
- Jury selection (voir dire) involves attorneys and the judge questioning potential jurors to find people without bias toward either side.
- If selected, you swear an oath to follow the judge's instructions and base your verdict only on evidence presented in court.
The jury selection process and what attorneys are looking for
When you arrive at the courthouse, you enter a waiting area with dozens or hundreds of other summoned jurors. The court clerk explains the process and may show a video about jury duty. Then groups are called into courtrooms for jury selection, also called voir dire.
In voir dire, the judge and attorneys for both sides ask potential jurors questions about their background, beliefs, and whether they can be fair. They are looking for bias — whether you have a reason to favor one side over the other. Questions might cover your job, whether you have been in similar situations, your views on certain topics, or whether you know anyone involved in the case. You must answer honestly. Lying during voir dire is perjury.
After questioning, attorneys can remove jurors they believe will be biased. The judge can also remove someone for cause — meaning there is a legal reason to doubt their fairness. Once enough jurors remain who both sides accept, the jury is seated. The number varies: most civil cases use six jurors, most criminal cases use twelve, but this differs by state and court.
What you do during the trial itself
Once sworn in, you take an oath to listen to the evidence, follow the judge's instructions on the law, and base your verdict only on what happens in court. You cannot research the case, talk to other jurors about it, or visit the location where events occurred.
During the trial, you sit in the jury box and listen to opening statements from both attorneys, witness testimony, physical evidence, and closing arguments. You take notes if the court allows it. The judge explains the law — what the plaintiff or prosecution must prove, what the defendant must prove, and how you should weigh evidence. You do not decide what the law is; you apply the law the judge gives you to the facts you hear.
You cannot ask questions or speak during trial. If you do not understand something, you write a note to the judge, who may clarify it. If you recognize a witness or know something about the case, you must tell the judge immediately — this is grounds for dismissal because it creates bias.
Deliberation and reaching a verdict
After closing arguments, the judge sends the jury to a private room to deliberate. Deliberation is when jurors discuss the case, review evidence, and work toward a verdict. In criminal cases, the verdict must usually be unanimous — all jurors must agree. In civil cases, the rule varies by state; some require unanimity, others allow a majority vote.
During deliberation, you discuss only the evidence presented in court and the judge's instructions. You cannot introduce outside information, research, or personal experience. If jurors cannot reach a verdict after a reasonable time, the judge may declare a mistrial, and the case may be retried with a new jury.
Once you reach a verdict, you return to the courtroom and announce it. The judge thanks you and dismisses you. Your jury duty is complete.
How long jury duty lasts
The length of jury duty varies widely. Jury selection might take a few hours or a full day. If you are not selected, you may be dismissed the same day or placed in a pool for other cases. If you are selected, the trial length depends on the case: a simple civil case might last two to five days, while a complex criminal case can last weeks or months.
Most courts summon jurors for a set period — often one week or one month — and you may be called for multiple trials during that time. Some courts use a "one day or one trial" system where you serve for one day or one complete trial, whichever is longer, and then you are done for several years.
You are not paid for jury duty in most states, though some courts offer a small daily fee after a certain number of days. A few states pay nothing at all. Your employer is generally required by law not to fire you for serving on jury duty, but they do not have to pay you while you are away.
Reasons you might be dismissed before or during trial
You can be dismissed for cause if the judge or an attorney believes you cannot be fair. This might happen if you admit bias, if you know someone involved in the case, if you have been a victim of a similar crime, or if you have strong opinions that would prevent you from following the law.
You can also be dismissed if you have a medical emergency, if you become ill during trial, or if new information comes to light showing you should not be on the jury. If you are dismissed, you are released from jury duty for that case, though you may be called for another one.
If you are dismissed during deliberation, an alternate juror (if one was seated) takes your place. If no alternate is available and the jury falls below the required number, the judge may declare a mistrial.
What happens if you do not show up
Failing to respond to a jury summons is contempt of court. The judge can fine you, order you to appear at a later date, or in rare cases, issue a warrant for your arrest. The fine amount varies by state and court but can range from $100 to $1,000 or more. A second or third failure to appear can result in higher fines or jail time.
If you have a legitimate reason you cannot attend, contact the court before your date. Most courts will work with you to reschedule. If you ignore the summons and the court contacts you later, explaining the reason then is much harder than requesting postponement upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be fired from my job for serving on jury duty?
No. Federal law and most state laws prohibit employers from firing, threatening, or punishing an employee for jury service. However, your employer does not have to pay you while you are away. If you are concerned about retaliation, document the dates you served and report any threats to the court or your state's labor department.
What if I cannot afford to miss work for jury duty?
Tell the judge or court clerk during jury selection or when you receive your summons. Some courts offer postponement to a time that works better for you. A few states or employers offer jury duty pay, though most do not. The court cannot force you to serve if it would cause genuine financial hardship, but you must raise this issue formally, not simply skip your date.
Can I be excused from jury duty because of my beliefs?
It depends on your beliefs and the case. If your beliefs would prevent you from following the judge's instructions or being fair to one side, you can be dismissed for cause. For example, if you cannot follow the law as written, or if you have a strong personal stake in the outcome, you may be excused. General discomfort with jury duty is not enough to be dismissed.
What if I think the law is unfair?
Your job as a juror is to apply the law as the judge explains it, not to judge the law itself. If you believe the law is wrong, you can vote your conscience in the jury room, but you cannot tell other jurors that you are ignoring the judge's instructions. After the trial, you are free to advocate for changing the law.
How do I know if a case is criminal or civil?
The summons or court materials will tell you. Criminal cases involve charges brought by the government against a person accused of a crime. Civil cases involve disputes between private parties or organizations over money, property, or contracts. Criminal juries typically have twelve members; civil juries often have six. The burden of proof is also different: criminal requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt; civil requires proof by a preponderance of the evidence.