How you find out you have jury duty
You find out you have jury duty when you receive a jury summons in the mail from your local court. The summons is an official document that tells you the date, time, and courthouse location where you must appear. It will also tell you whether you are being summoned for a specific trial or for a general jury pool.
The court sends summonses based on voter registration records, driver's license records, or both — the source varies by state and county. You cannot opt in to jury duty; the court selects you randomly. Once the summons arrives, you are legally required to respond, even if you do not plan to attend.
Some courts now send summonses by email or text message in addition to mail. Check the summons itself for instructions on how to respond and what to do if you cannot attend on the scheduled date.
Key Takeaways
- A jury summons arrives by mail and lists the specific date, time, and courthouse where you must report.
- The court selects jurors randomly from voter registration and driver's license records in your county.
- You must respond to a summons even if you cannot attend — ignoring it can result in fines or a court order to appear.
- If you have a genuine hardship, you can request a postponement or dismissal before your report date by contacting the court listed on the summons.
- Jury duty typically lasts one day or one week, depending on the type of case and your court's procedures.
What the summons document contains
A jury summons includes several pieces of information you need to act on. At the top, it states the court name and the county or district it serves. Below that is your report date and time — this is when you must arrive at the courthouse. The summons also lists the courthouse address and parking or public transit information.
The document will tell you whether you are being summoned for a specific trial or for a general jury pool. If it is for a specific trial, the summons may name the case or the judge. Most summonses also include a juror number or case number you should bring with you or reference when you call.
Near the bottom, the summons explains how to respond if you cannot attend. This usually means calling a phone number, visiting a website, or mailing back a form. Do not ignore this section — responding is mandatory, even if you plan to request a postponement.
What happens if you ignore a jury summons
Ignoring a jury summons is treated as contempt of court. The court can fine you, typically between $100 and $1,000 depending on your state and the judge's decision. Some courts issue a second summons or a court order requiring you to appear in person to explain your absence.
If you miss the second appearance, the court can issue a warrant for your arrest. This is rare but does happen. The safest course is to respond to the summons even if you cannot attend — the court will either reschedule you or dismiss you from that particular jury pool.
If you have a legitimate reason you cannot attend (serious illness, financial hardship, caregiving responsibilities), contact the court before your report date. Most courts will postpone your service or excuse you rather than fine you if you communicate in advance.
How to respond to your summons
Your summons will list at least one way to respond. The most common methods are a phone number to call, a website to visit, or a form to mail back. Read the summons carefully to see which option applies to you.
If you call, have your summons in front of you so you can provide your juror number. The court staff will confirm your information and ask whether you can attend on the scheduled date. If you mail back a form, send it before the deadline listed on the summons — courts often set a deadline of one to two weeks before your report date.
Some courts now allow you to respond online through a portal. The summons will include a website and login instructions if this option is available. Responding online is usually the fastest method and gives you immediate confirmation that the court received your response.
Requesting a postponement or dismissal
If you cannot attend on your scheduled date, you can request a postponement to a later date or ask to be dismissed from that jury pool. Most courts will grant a postponement if you ask before your report date. To request one, contact the court using the phone number or website on your summons and explain your reason.
Common reasons courts accept for postponement include work travel you cannot reschedule, medical appointments, caregiving responsibilities, or financial hardship. You do not need a doctor's note or formal documentation to request a postponement — a brief explanation is usually enough. The court will either move you to a different date or tell you that you are dismissed.
If you are dismissed, you will not serve on a jury for that particular case or jury pool. You may receive another summons in the future, as courts draw from the same pool of names regularly. Being dismissed once does not prevent future summonses.
What to bring when you report for jury duty
Bring your original jury summons to the courthouse on your report date. You will also need a photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport. Some courts ask for proof of citizenship or residency, so check your summons for any additional documents you should bring.
Wear business casual or professional clothing — jeans and t-shirts are generally not appropriate. Avoid clothing with offensive language or images. Bring a pen and notepad if you want to take notes during jury selection or trial, though the court will provide these if needed.
Leave phones on silent or turned off during jury selection and trial. Most courthouses prohibit recording, photography, and social media posts about the case. Ask the judge or court staff if you are unsure about the rules.
How long jury duty typically lasts
Jury duty length varies widely depending on the type of case and your court's procedures. Most jurors report for one day and are either selected for a trial or dismissed by the end of the day. If you are selected, you may serve for one week, two weeks, or longer depending on the trial length.
Criminal trials in district court often last one to three weeks. Civil cases can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Small claims or traffic court cases usually last a single day. Your summons may indicate the expected length, but courts cannot always predict exactly how long a trial will take.
Once you are selected for a trial, you must attend every day until the trial ends and the jury reaches a verdict. If you are dismissed during jury selection, you are usually free to leave and do not owe any further service for that summons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get out of jury duty if I have a job?
Having a job is not a valid reason to be dismissed from jury duty in most states. However, you can request a postponement to a date that works better for your schedule. If your employer would face severe financial hardship from your absence, you can explain this to the court, and the judge may dismiss you or reschedule you.
What if I did not receive my summons in the mail?
Contact the courthouse listed on any court documents you have received, or search online for your county courthouse phone number. Explain that you may have been summoned but did not receive the notice. The court can tell you whether a summons was sent and reschedule you if needed. Do not assume you were not summoned just because the mail did not arrive.
Do I get paid for jury duty?
Most courts pay jurors a small amount, typically $15 to $50 per day, though some pay nothing for the first few days. Payment varies by state and court. Your summons or the court website will state the payment amount. Jurors are rarely paid enough to cover lost wages, so many people experience financial hardship during service.
Can I be summoned for jury duty more than once?
Yes. Courts draw from the same voter registration and driver's license records repeatedly, so you can receive multiple summonses over your lifetime. Some states have rules that prevent you from being summoned again for a set period (often one to three years) after you serve, but this varies by location.
What if I am not a U.S. citizen?
You must be a U.S. citizen to serve on a jury. If you receive a summons and are not a citizen, contact the court and provide proof of your status. You will be dismissed from that jury pool. Non-citizens should not ignore the summons — contact the court to explain your status.