Most courts use random number selection from driver's licenses or voter registration

The numbers called for jury duty come from a master jury list that each court builds from public records. The most common source is your state's driver's license database. Some courts also pull from voter registration rolls, utility customer lists, or tax records. A computer randomly selects names and associated ID numbers from these lists, then sends summonses to the addresses on file.

You do not choose your number or request to be on the list. The court's jury administrator runs the random draw, usually once or twice a year, and the numbers that come up get summoned. If your name appears, you will receive a summons in the mail with a juror number printed on it — this is the number you use when you show up for jury duty.

The specific number itself has no meaning beyond identifying you in the court's system. It is not based on your age, income, criminal history, or any other factor. It is simply the order in which the computer pulled your record.

Key Takeaways

  • Courts generate jury summonses by randomly selecting names from driver's license or voter registration records using a computer.
  • The juror number on your summons is just an identifier for the court's tracking system, not a ranking or assessment of you.
  • Different courts use different source lists, so one state may rely on driver's licenses while another uses voter rolls or a combination.
  • You cannot opt out of the random selection process, though you may be excused or dismissed once you appear or respond to the summons.

How the random selection process actually works

The court's jury administrator enters the parameters into jury management software: how many people they need to summon, which county or district they serve, and which source list to pull from. The software then generates a random sample. Some courts use a simple random draw; others use stratified random sampling to ensure the jury pool reflects the population's demographics across age groups or geographic areas.

Once the computer selects the names, the court prints summonses with your juror number, mailing address, and reporting date. The summons is a legal document — ignoring it can result in a fine or contempt of court charge. The number on it is how the court tracks you through the process: when you call in, when you show up, which courtroom you are assigned to, and whether you are seated on a jury or dismissed.

What your juror number means during the selection process

When you arrive for jury duty, your number determines the order in which you are called into the courtroom for voir dire — the questioning process where attorneys and the judge decide whether to seat you. If your number is 1, you go in first. If it is 47, you wait until 46 people have been questioned. The number does not predict whether you will be chosen; it only controls when you are questioned.

During voir dire, attorneys may strike (reject) you for cause — if your answers show bias or hardship — or use a limited number of peremptory challenges to remove you without stating a reason. Your number simply determines your place in line. Some jurors with high numbers never enter the courtroom because the jury is seated before their turn arrives.

Why courts switched to random number systems

Before computerized random selection, many courts used names from voter rolls or tax records and summoned people in alphabetical order or by hand-picked lists. This often resulted in juries that did not reflect the community — certain neighborhoods, income levels, or ethnic groups were systematically underrepresented. Federal courts began using random number generation in the 1970s, and most state courts followed.

Random selection is now required by federal law for federal courts and by most state jury statutes. It does not may provide a perfectly representative jury, but it removes the human bias that came with manual selection. The source list still matters: if a state only uses driver's licenses, people without licenses are excluded. That is why some courts now combine multiple sources to cast a wider net.

Differences between state and federal jury number systems

Federal courts use the Jury Selection and Service Act, which mandates random selection from voter registration and driver's license records. Federal juror numbers are assigned by the federal court's jury management system and are specific to that court. State courts vary widely. Some use only driver's licenses; others use voter rolls, utility bills, or a combination. A few still allow judges or jury commissioners to supplement random draws with additional names, though this is becoming less common.

The number format also differs. Federal courts may use a simple sequential number (1, 2, 3). State courts might use a code that includes the county, year, and sequence (for example, 2024-COOK-00847). The format does not affect how jury selection works — it is just how each court's system labels you.

What happens if you receive a summons but do not show up

Ignoring a jury summons is a violation of court order. The court may fine you, issue a bench warrant for your arrest, or hold you in contempt. The amount varies by state and court — fines can range from $100 to $1,000 or more. Some courts will send a second notice before pursuing penalties, but you should not count on that.

If you have a genuine hardship — serious illness, caregiving responsibility, financial hardship — you can request to be excused or postponed before your reporting date. Call the number on the summons or respond online if the court offers that option. Explain your situation clearly. The court may grant your request, reschedule you for a later date, or require you to appear and explain in person. Requesting postponement is not the same as ignoring the summons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find out why my number was selected?

No. The selection is random and automated. The court does not track or explain why your name came up in that particular draw. You can ask the jury administrator how the court generates its master list and what source records it uses, but you cannot learn why you specifically were chosen.

Does a higher juror number mean I am less likely to be seated?

Not necessarily. A higher number means you will be questioned later in voir dire, so you might not be called if the jury is seated before your turn. But if you are called, your number does not affect whether attorneys choose to seat you or strike you. The decision depends on your answers during questioning, not your number.

What if I share a name with someone else and received a summons by mistake?

Call the court's jury office immediately with your driver's license or other ID. Explain that you are not the person on the summons. The court will verify your identity and correct its records. Bring documentation to your reporting date if you are unsure whether the mix-up was resolved.

Can I request a specific juror number or change the one I was assigned?

No. Your juror number is assigned by the court's system and cannot be changed. It is not a ranking or preference — it is simply an identifier. You cannot request a different number, and doing so would not affect your jury duty experience.

Do courts use social security numbers for jury selection?

Federal courts do not use Social Security numbers for the initial random draw. They use driver's license and voter registration records. Some state courts may cross-reference Social Security numbers in their databases to verify identity or prevent duplicates, but the random selection itself is based on the source list records, not SSNs.