How to Respond to a Jury Duty Summons
A jury summons looks official and scary. But the process is simple and clear. Reply by the deadline. Check if you qualify. You can ask to move your date. You can also claim an exemption if you truly have a good reason. Show up if you are picked. Ignoring it is the only truly bad choice. Here is the whole flow.
At a glance
- Cost:
- Free (only 8 states + DC require employers to keep paying wages)
- Total time:
- Response: 15 min. Service: 1 day – 2 weeks
- Steps:
- 8 steps
- Where to apply:
- uscourts.gov
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due October 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official US sources(October 2026).
0 of 8 steps
- Before You Go 10 min
Read the summons carefully and note the deadline
The summons lists your reporting date. It also lists the courthouse address and your participant or juror number. Most important, it lists a reply deadline. That deadline is before the service date. Courts pick jurors from voter rolls and DMVDepartment of Motor Vehicles — Your state agency for driver's licenses, state IDs, and vehicle registration. Some states call it the BMV, DPS, MVD, or DDS.Click for official info ↗ records. So getting a summons does not mean anyone suspects you of anything. Put the reply deadline in your calendar the day the letter arrives.
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- Before You Go 10 min
Check whether you qualify
For a federal jury, you must meet these rules. You must be a US citizen. You must be 18+. You must have lived in the judicial district for 1 year. Your English must be good enough to fill out the juror form. You must have no disqualifying felony conviction, unless your rights were restored. State courts set their own rules. But they require citizenship everywhere. A few add extra rules, so read your summons closely. Non-citizens do not qualify. But they must SAY so on the response form. Never just ignore the summons.
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- Fill / Prepare 15 min
Respond — online in most courts
Use the court's online juror portal. The address is on the summons. Or return the paper questionnaire. You will confirm you can serve. Or you will claim disqualification, for example as a non-citizen, not a resident, or because you moved. Or you can request a postponement or exemption. Reply even if you do not qualify. Courts clear non-citizens quickly once they know. But no reply can look like contempt. The law requires this step.
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- Before You Go 20 min
Postpone or claim an exemption if you genuinely cannot serve
A postponement is nearly automatic. You can do it one time. You pick a new date within months. It is the best option for work conflicts, travel, exams, or medical procedures. Exemptions vary by court. They can cover full-time caregivers and active military. They can cover recent service, if you served on a jury within 1–2 years. They can cover age, often 70+ optional. They can cover certain public officials. They can also cover medical hardship with a doctor's letter. Be honest when you claim one. False exemption claims are prosecuted.
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- Go Half day to full day
Show up on your reporting date
Dress business-casual. Bring the summons and photo ID. Arrive early to clear courthouse security. No weapons are allowed, including pocket knives. Plan for a security line. You will join a jury pool of dozens to hundreds. Bring a book. Waiting is the main activity of day one. Many pools are dismissed by phone or email the night before. Check the court's call-in system the evening before. That way you do not make a trip you do not need.
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- Fill / Prepare Half day
If called to a courtroom: jury selection (voir dire)
The judge and lawyers question the pool to pick fair jurors. Answer honestly. Attorneys can sense evasion. False answers to screening questions can get you removed or punished later. This includes questions like knowing a party or officer. Each side can strike a limited number of jurors without cause. So rejection is normal. It is not personal. If you are not selected, you return to the pool. Or you are released for the day/term.
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- Wait 1 day – 2 weeks
If selected: serve the trial
Most trials last 1–3 days. Rare complex cases run longer. Listen to the evidence. Follow the judge's instructions. Do not research the case. Do not post about it online. That can be contempt. Then deliberate with the other jurors. Pay is typically $15–50/day plus mileage from the court. Federal petit jurors get $50/day. It rises to up to $60/day after day 10 at the judge's discretion. Grand jurors get up to $60/day after 45 days. Many employers pay wages by choice during service. But federal law does not require it. Only AL, CO, CT, LA, MA, NE, NY, TN, and DC require employers to keep paying you by law. State laws differ. So ask HR before you go.
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- Receive 15 min
Get your proof of service and return to work
The court gives you a certificate of attendance. Your employer needs this document to confirm you served. It also starts any wage duties they have. Keep a copy for your records. Employers sometimes dispute attendance. You are typically excused from jury service for 1–2 years afterward. So you will not be summoned again right away.
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Be Careful
Don't make these mistakes
Ignoring the summons. Reply by the deadline on the summons. No reply can look like contempt, and you may get fines, commonly 100 to 1,000 dollars, or in rare cases a bench warrant. If you missed your date, call the jury office right away.
Throwing it away because you are not a citizen. Non-citizens do not qualify for jury service, but they must say so on the response form. Reply and state that you are not a US citizen. Never just ignore the summons.
Claiming a false exemption. Exemptions vary by court and can cover full-time caregivers, active military, recent service, age, or medical hardship with a doctor letter. Be honest when you claim one. False exemption claims are prosecuted.
Lying during jury selection. Answer honestly when the judge and lawyers question the pool. Attorneys can sense evasion, and false answers to screening questions, including knowing a party or officer, can get you removed or punished later.
Researching the case or posting about it. If you are selected, listen to the evidence and follow the judge instructions. Do not research the case and do not post about it online. That can be contempt.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I just ignore the summons?
It varies by court. It can get serious. You may get a second summons. You may get fines (commonly $100–1,000). In rare cases, you may face contempt-of-court charges with a bench warrant. Courts rarely pursue first-time no-shows hard. But the risk and the hassle of fixing it later are far more than 15 minutes of responding. If you missed your date, call the jury office right away. Courts are usually lenient with people who call first.
I am not a citizen but got summoned. Do I have to respond?
Yes. Reply and state that you are not a US citizen. That is a valid disqualification. You may need to show proof, such as a green cardPermanent Resident Card — The ID card proving lawful permanent resident status — live and work in the US permanently.Click for official info ↗, visa, or naturalizationBecoming a US citizen by application — The process a green card holder goes through to become a US citizen — application, interview, test, and oath.Click for official info ↗ status. Do not just throw the letter away. Some courts treat no reply as contempt. They issue fines before they check your status.
Will my employer fire me or force me to skip it?
Federal law bans firing employees for jury service. Most state laws ban it too. Retaliation is also banned. It is illegal. Only AL, CO, CT, LA, MA, NE, NY, TN, and DC require employers to pay wages during service. Elsewhere it is voluntary, though many employers do pay. Tell your employer as soon as you get the summons. Give them the court schedule. If they resist, the court can issue a letter. Retaliation claims are enforceable too.
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