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How Jury Duty Works in the US

Getting a jury duty summons in the mail can be confusing if you've never gone through the process. Here is the general pattern most US courts follow.

  1. You are selected at random from public records

    Courts typically pull prospective juror names at random from lists like registered voters and licensed drivers within the court's jurisdiction, not because of anything specific to you personally.

  2. You receive a summons, not a request

    A jury summons is a court order requiring you to appear (or check in, since many courts now use phone or online systems) on a specific date, not an optional invitation. It legally obligates you to respond, even if the ultimate answer is a request to be excused.

  3. Basic eligibility is broad

    In general, you must be a US citizen, at least 18, a resident of the court's jurisdiction, and mentally competent, with no disqualifying felony conviction depending on the jurisdiction. There is no federal maximum age limit, though many states allow older citizens to request a permanent excusal.

  4. Request an excusal or postponement if you qualify

    Common grounds for excusal or postponement include specific occupational exemptions (such as active-duty military or full-time police and fire personnel in many jurisdictions), full-time student status in some states, and documented undue hardship, such as being the sole caregiver for a dependent. This is generally a formal request made through the court, not a decision you make unilaterally.

  5. Report for jury selection (voir dire)

    If you don't get excused ahead of time, you report to the courthouse where attorneys and the judge question a pool of potential jurors, a process called voir dire, to select the actual jury for a specific case.

  6. You may serve on a case or be released the same day

    Not everyone called for jury selection ends up on a jury; you may be dismissed after voir dire, or a case may settle or plead out before a jury is even needed. Many people report for jury duty and are released without ever sitting on a case.

  7. Employer protections during jury service

    Federal law and most states prohibit employers from firing or otherwise penalizing an employee for attending jury duty, though whether the employer must continue paying regular wages during jury service varies significantly by state and by company policy.

Ignoring a summons is a real legal risk, not just an inconvenience

Because a jury summons is a court order, failing to respond can lead to real consequences, including fines and, in some jurisdictions, contempt of court charges, rather than simply being dropped from consideration. Courts generally expect at least a response, such as a formal excusal request, even from people who ultimately cannot or should not serve.

The process differs between federal and state courts

Federal jury service and state jury service are separate systems with their own summons, eligibility details, and pay rates, so an experience with one does not necessarily predict the other. Most jury summonses an individual receives come from state or local courts, since state courts handle the large majority of jury trials in the US.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get paid for jury duty?

Federal courts and most states pay a modest daily stipend, though the exact amount varies and is generally far below typical daily wages. Some employers separately choose to continue paying regular salary during jury service as a matter of company policy, though this is not universally required by law.

Can I be excused just because I don't want to serve?

Simply not wanting to serve is not, by itself, a recognized reason for excusal in most jurisdictions. Courts generally require a specific qualifying reason, such as a statutory exemption, a documented hardship, or an inability to be impartial about the specific case.

What happens if I show up but am not picked for a jury?

You are typically released and your service obligation for that summons is considered fulfilled, even if you never actually sit on a jury. Being questioned during voir dire and not selected is a normal, common outcome, not a failure of any kind.