Find out what to expect when you arrive, how to conduct yourself, and what you need to do when you serve as a juror.
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A jury summons is an official court summons. The court could hold you in contempt and / or impose a $50 fine for each time you fail to appear. If you lose your jury summons, contact the Clerk of Superior Court office in your county as soon as possible to obtain reporting information.
Procedures to request an excuse or deferral vary from county to county. Read your summons for specific instructions or you may find more information for jury service in your county through the dropdown list at the top of this page. Generally, you must contact the clerk of superior court office or the chief district court judge’s office if you want to be excused or defer your jury service. You must have a compelling reason why you cannot serve on the assigned date.
Any person summoned as a juror who is a full-time student at an out of state educational institution and who wishes to be excused or who is 72 years or older and who wishes to be excused, deferred, or exempted, may make the request without appearing in person by filing a signed statement of the ground of the request at any time five business days before the date upon which the person is summoned to appear.
Any person summoned as a juror who has a disability that could interfere with the person's ability to serve as a juror and who wishes to be excused, deferred, or exempted may make the request without appearing in person by filing a signed statement of the ground of the request, including a brief explanation of the disability that interferes with the person's ability to serve as a juror, at any time five business days before the date upon which the person is summoned to appear. Upon request of the court, medical documentation of any disability may be submitted. Any privileged medical information or protected health information described in this section shall be confidential.
The Judicial Branch is committed to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity to benefit from all court services, programs, and activities. If you require an accommodation to participate in jury service (not for an excusal or deferral), please let the court know as soon as possible prior to the date you are summoned to appear. This will allow sufficient time to make arrangements to accommodate your request. You may request a reasonable accommodation:
Your jury summons provides the date, time, and place to report for jury duty. Check in with the jury staff when you arrive.
Bring reading materials to occupy your time. While efforts will be made to reduce delays and to avoid long waiting periods, some waiting time should be anticipated.
Dress comfortably, but not too casually. Dress for court in a manner that maintains the dignity of the court. For example, many judges do not allow anyone to come to court wearing halter or tank tops, cut-off jeans, or shirts with offensive wording and / or images. You will be acting as part of the court while serving as a juror, so dress appropriately. Wear layered clothing since courtroom temperatures may vary considerably.
Jury Service Scams WARNING: If you fail to appear, you cannot be fined by telephone or email. Any phone call stating that a (bench) warrant has been issued for your arrest due to not reporting for jury service is a scam. Further, it is a scam if payment by telephone is demanded to satisfy the bench warrant. Court staff and the Sheriff's Office do not call or email citizens requesting Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, money, pre–paid debit card numbers, or any other sensitive financial information.
Learn more about how to avoid jury duty scams.
The Clerk of Court will issue payment by check by U.S. mail a few days after your jury service concludes.
It is against the law for an employer to fire or demote an employee because he or she served as a juror or grand juror. However, the law does not require that the employee be paid in full while serving. Notify your employer as soon as you receive a jury summons and check with your employer regarding the payment policy for jury service. Read more in the Employers' Guide to Jury Service.
In smaller counties, your jury summons may tell you whether you are summoned for a criminal or civil session of court. In larger counties, several court sessions are held at the same time, so you may hear either criminal or civil matters. If you are seated for a trial, you must serve until the trial ends, which could be two days to several weeks. However, most jurors only serve for one or two days.
If a family emergency occurs while you are serving, you may be contacted through the Clerk of Court’s office or at an emergency number given to you by a bailiff. Court staff will make certain that you receive any emergency messages.
When you report to the courthouse, you may be required to watch a juror orientation video. Court staff will give you additional information. All jurors will take an oath. Once a trial begins and you are sworn in, you will be given a juror badge to wear until you are released by the judge. The judge will instruct you on your duties as a juror.
It is extremely rare for a jury to be sequestered or kept in a hotel during a trial. You should expect to go home at the end of each court day.