Jury duty is a legal obligation, not optional, but you have real options for postponement or release
When you receive a jury summons, you are being ordered to appear in court on a specific date. Ignoring it can result in fines, contempt charges, or a warrant for your arrest. However, you are not locked into serving on that exact date — most courts allow you to request a postponement to a time that works better for you, and some people are released from service entirely based on hardship or disqualification.
The summons itself will tell you which court issued it, when you must appear, and how to contact them if you cannot make that date. Read it carefully, because the deadline to respond is usually 10 to 14 days, and missing that deadline is what creates legal trouble.
Key Takeaways
- A jury summons is a court order, and ignoring it can lead to fines or arrest warrants, but you can request postponement by contacting the court before your scheduled date.
- Hardship reasons — childcare, medical conditions, financial burden, caregiving duties — are legitimate grounds for release, but you must explain them in writing to the court.
- During jury selection, attorneys and judges will ask you questions to determine if you can be impartial; answering honestly about bias, prior experience, or conflicts is how you either get seated or dismissed.
- Jurors are typically paid a small daily fee (often $15 to $50 per day) by the court, and employers are generally prohibited from firing you for jury service.
- If you are convicted of a felony, not a U.S. citizen, or unable to speak English, you will be disqualified before selection even begins.
How the summons process works and what the court is asking
A jury summons arrives by mail and includes a date, time, and courthouse location. It also includes a juror questionnaire or instructions to call a phone number or visit a website to confirm your attendance. Some courts require you to respond online; others want a phone call or a returned form. The summons will specify which method applies to you.
When you respond, you are confirming that you received the summons and will appear, or you are requesting to be excused or postponed. Do not simply ignore it and hope it goes away. Courts track non-responses, and a second summons or a fine notice can follow.
The questionnaire often asks about your employment, health, prior jury service, and whether you know anyone involved in the case. Answer these questions truthfully. The court uses them to narrow down who will be called for jury selection on the actual trial date.
Requesting postponement or release from service
If the date on your summons does not work for you, contact the court listed on the summons before that date arrives. Most courts have a phone number or online portal where you can request a postponement. You do not need a lawyer to do this, and you do not need a formal reason — many courts will move you to a later date simply because you asked.
If you have a serious hardship — you are the sole caregiver for a child or elderly parent, you have a medical condition that makes sitting in court difficult, you will lose your job or housing if you miss work, or you are experiencing financial crisis — explain that in writing when you request postponement. Courts take documented hardship seriously. Bring medical records, a letter from your employer, or proof of caregiving responsibility if you have it.
Some people are disqualified before they ever reach the courthouse. You cannot serve if you are a convicted felon (in most states), not a U.S. citizen, under 18, unable to speak English, or subject to a restraining order involving the court or parties in the case. The court will determine this from your questionnaire responses.
What happens during jury selection
If you are not postponed or excused, you will report to the courthouse on your assigned date. You will be placed in a waiting area with other potential jurors. At some point, you will be called into a courtroom for a process called voir dire, which is when attorneys and the judge ask you questions to determine whether you can be fair and impartial in the case.
The questions are not a test with right answers. Attorneys are looking for bias — whether you have a personal connection to someone in the case, whether you have strong opinions about the type of crime or dispute involved, or whether something in your background would prevent you from following the judge's instructions. Answer honestly. If you say what you think the attorney wants to hear, and you are seated, you may later realize you cannot actually be impartial, and that creates problems for everyone.
After questioning, the judge and attorneys will dismiss some potential jurors. This is called a strike or challenge. If you are dismissed, you are free to leave. If you are not dismissed, you are seated as a juror and the trial begins.
Pay, time commitment, and employer protections
Jurors are paid by the court, though the amount varies widely by jurisdiction. Many courts pay $15 to $50 per day for the first few days, then increase the rate if the trial is longer. Some pay nothing for the first day. The summons or the court's website will tell you what your court pays.
The time commitment depends on the type of case. A civil dispute might take one or two days. A criminal trial can last weeks or months. You will not know the length until you are in the courtroom and the attorneys give opening statements.
Federal law prohibits employers from firing, threatening, or punishing you for jury service. This protection applies to private employers, government employers, and contractors. If your employer retaliates against you for serving, you can file a complaint with your state's labor board or attorney general's office. Keep records of any negative treatment — emails, performance reviews, or termination notices — that occur after you disclose jury service.
What disqualifies you before selection begins
Courts screen out certain people before jury selection even starts. You will be disqualified if you are a convicted felon (rules vary by state; some restore rights after a certain time), not a U.S. citizen, under 18 years old, unable to speak and understand English, or subject to a court order that prevents you from being in the courthouse.
Some courts also disqualify people with severe mental illness, active substance abuse, or medical conditions that make sitting in court impossible. If any of these apply to you, disclose it on your questionnaire or tell the judge during voir dire. Do not try to hide it — the court will find out, and honesty is the fastest way to be released.
What happens if you ignore the summons
Ignoring a jury summons is treated as contempt of court. The first consequence is usually a fine, which ranges from $100 to $1,000 depending on your state and the court. If you ignore a second summons or a fine notice, the court can issue a warrant for your arrest. You could be arrested, brought before a judge, and ordered to pay the fine or serve jail time.
This is entirely avoidable. If you received a summons and cannot serve, call the court. If you lost the summons, call the court and ask them to resend it or confirm your information. Courts expect people to have conflicts and hardships — they do not expect people to vanish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be fired for serving on a jury?
No. Federal law prohibits employers from firing, threatening, or demoting you because of jury service. If your employer retaliates, document it and file a complaint with your state's labor board or attorney general. Some states also allow you to sue your employer for damages.
What if I cannot afford to miss work for jury duty?
Tell the court this during your hardship request or during jury selection. Courts understand financial hardship and often release people who would lose housing or income. Bring documentation — a letter from your employer stating your pay, proof of benefits you receive, or a statement of your expenses. The court may postpone you to a slower time or release you entirely.
Do I have to answer questions honestly during jury selection if I want to be dismissed?
Yes. Lying during voir dire is perjury. If you are dishonest to avoid service and are later discovered, you can be charged with perjury. If you genuinely cannot be fair in the case, say so — that is the honest answer that gets you dismissed.
What if I receive a summons but I am not a U.S. citizen?
You are disqualified and should notify the court immediately. Include a copy of your green card, visa, or other immigration document with your response. You will not be required to serve.
How long does jury duty usually last?
It depends on the case. Some trials last one or two days; others last weeks or months. You will not know the length until you are seated and the trial begins. If you are in jury selection but not seated, you may be released the same day.