The morning you arrive: check-in and the waiting room

You will arrive at the courthouse at the time listed on your summons — usually between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. Bring the summons itself, a photo ID, and proof of residence. Go to the jury assembly room or the location specified in your paperwork. A court clerk will check you in, scan your summons, and give you a juror number.

You will then sit in a large waiting room with dozens or sometimes hundreds of other people summoned that day. Bring something to read or work on — waits can be two hours or more. The room will have restrooms and usually a vending machine or cafeteria. You cannot leave the building without permission from the clerk, even if you are told the wait will be long.

During this time, court staff may show a video about jury duty or explain the process. Listen carefully, because the information applies to your specific courthouse and state. Different courts have different rules about breaks, phone use, and what you can bring into the courtroom.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring your summons, photo ID, and proof of residence to check-in, and arrive at the exact time listed on your paperwork.
  • You will wait in a jury assembly room with other summoned jurors; bring reading material because waits often run two hours or longer.
  • During jury selection, attorneys and the judge will ask you questions about your background, beliefs, and ability to be fair; answer honestly and do not volunteer information.
  • If you are selected for a trial, you will hear evidence over days or weeks, take notes if allowed, and deliberate with other jurors until you reach a verdict.
  • You are required to stay for the entire trial and all deliberations; leaving early or ignoring a summons can result in fines or a contempt charge.

Jury selection: how attorneys and the judge choose jurors

If a trial needs jurors that day, you may be called into a courtroom for voir dire — the process where attorneys and the judge question potential jurors. You will sit in the jury box or in the gallery with other candidates. The judge will explain the case in general terms: what it is about, who the parties are, and how long the trial will last.

Then attorneys for both sides will ask you questions. They want to know whether you have personal experience with the subject matter, whether you know any of the people involved, whether you have biases that would prevent you from being fair, and whether you can commit the time. Answer truthfully. If a question makes you uncomfortable, you can ask to speak to the judge privately. Do not lie or exaggerate to get out of jury duty — courts take that seriously.

After questioning, attorneys can remove jurors they believe cannot be fair. The judge can also remove jurors for cause — meaning a real reason to doubt impartiality. If you are removed, you are done for the day and may be dismissed from the entire panel. If you are selected, you will be sworn in and the trial begins.

What happens during the trial itself

The trial will follow a set order: opening statements from both sides, evidence presented by the prosecution or plaintiff, cross-examination by the other side, more evidence, closing arguments, and then jury instructions from the judge. Trials can last one day or several weeks depending on the case.

You will sit in the jury box throughout. You cannot talk to anyone about the case — not other jurors, not people outside the courtroom, not even your spouse at home. The judge will give you specific instructions about this. You may be allowed to take notes; the judge will tell you at the start of the trial. Do not do any research on your own, do not visit the scene of an incident, and do not look up facts on your phone or computer.

You will be given breaks, usually in the morning and afternoon. During breaks, you still cannot discuss the case. If you need to use the restroom or have a medical issue, raise your hand and ask the judge. If you become ill or have a genuine emergency, tell the judge immediately — do not simply leave.

Deliberation: how jurors reach a verdict

After closing arguments and jury instructions, you will be sent to the jury room with the other jurors. A foreperson will be chosen — either by vote or by the judge. Your job is to discuss the evidence, apply the law as the judge explained it, and reach a verdict.

In most criminal cases, the verdict must be unanimous — all jurors must agree. In some civil cases and in some states, a verdict can be reached by a supermajority (often 10 out of 12). The judge will tell you the standard before you begin. Deliberations can take hours or days. You cannot leave the jury room without permission, and you cannot tell anyone outside what is being discussed.

If jurors cannot reach a verdict after a reasonable time, the judge may declare a mistrial. If you do reach a verdict, you will return to the courtroom, the verdict will be read aloud, and you will be dismissed. Your jury duty is then complete.

Pay, time off work, and what your employer must allow

Juror pay varies widely by state and county. Some courts pay $15 to $50 per day; others pay nothing for the first few days and then a small amount. A few states and some counties pay more — $50 to $100 per day or higher. Check your summons or the court's website for the rate in your jurisdiction.

Your employer must allow you to take time off for jury duty. Federal law and most state laws prohibit employers from firing, threatening, or punishing you for serving on a jury. If your employer retaliates, you may have grounds for a legal claim. Keep records of any threats or negative treatment and report it to the court or to your state's labor board.

If jury duty will cause you genuine financial hardship — you are self-employed with no income during service, or you are the sole caregiver for a dependent — you can request postponement or excusal before your trial date. Submit a written request to the court with documentation. The judge will decide whether to grant it.

What disqualifies you or gets you excused

You cannot serve on a jury if you are not a U.S. citizen, not a resident of the county, under 18 years old, or a convicted felon (rules vary by state on when rights are restored). You also cannot serve if you do not speak English well enough to understand the proceedings.

You may be excused for hardship — severe illness, being the sole caregiver for a child or elderly parent, financial crisis, or a pre-planned trip you cannot change. You must request excusal in writing before your trial date and provide documentation. The judge decides whether the hardship is genuine enough to excuse you.

If you ignore a summons, miss your court date without contacting the court, or lie during jury selection, you can be held in contempt of court. Penalties include fines (often $100 to $1,000 or more) and in some cases jail time. If you have a legitimate reason you cannot attend, call the court immediately and explain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my phone into the courtroom?

Most courts allow phones in the jury assembly room but not in the courtroom itself. Some courts allow phones but require them to be silenced and put away. The judge will tell you the rule at the start of the trial. If you need your phone for a medical device or emergency contact, tell the judge before the trial begins.

What if I cannot afford to miss work for jury duty?

Request postponement or excusal before your trial date by submitting a written request to the court. Include documentation of your financial situation if possible. The judge will decide whether to grant it. You can also ask for a shorter trial or a trial date that works better for your schedule, though the court cannot always accommodate this.

Do I have to answer personal questions during jury selection?

Yes. Attorneys need to know whether you can be fair and impartial. If a question feels too private, you can ask to speak to the judge alone. You must answer honestly — lying during jury selection is perjury and can result in criminal charges. If you are uncomfortable with a question, say so, but do not refuse to answer.

What happens if I disagree with the other jurors during deliberation?

You discuss your views, listen to theirs, and try to reach agreement. You are not required to change your mind, but you must participate in good faith. If the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict (or the required majority), the judge may declare a mistrial. Your job is to apply the law as given to you, not to judge the law itself.

Can I be fired for serving on a jury?

No. Federal law and most state laws prohibit employers from firing, threatening, or punishing you for jury service. If your employer retaliates, document it and report it to the court or your state's labor board. You may also have grounds for a legal claim against your employer.