You can be ordered to serve, but you have options to get out of it
When you receive a jury summons, you are legally required to respond — but showing up on the date listed is not your only choice. You can request to be excused, ask to postpone your service to a better time, or claim a hardship that makes service impossible. Courts understand that jury duty disrupts work and family life. The key is responding to the summons itself, not ignoring it. Ignoring a summons can result in fines, contempt charges, or a warrant for your arrest.
The rules vary by state and by court, so what works in one place may not work in another. Some courts are stricter about excuses than others. Some allow you to serve on a different date with just a phone call. Others require written documentation of your hardship before they will consider letting you out.
Key Takeaways
- You must respond to a jury summons, even if you do not want to serve — ignoring it can lead to fines or arrest.
- You can request to be excused or postponed by contacting the court listed on your summons, usually by phone or mail.
- Courts accept hardship claims like medical conditions, caregiving duties, financial burden, or work obligations that cannot be rescheduled.
- If you are selected for a trial and seated as a juror, you cannot leave without the judge's permission, even if a hardship arises during the trial.
- The consequences for ignoring a summons range from fines to contempt of court charges, depending on your state and the court's policy.
What happens if you ignore a jury summons
Ignoring a jury summons is treated as disobeying a court order. The court has your address and knows you received the notice. If you do not respond or show up, the court will typically send a second notice or attempt to contact you by phone. If you still do not respond, the court can hold you in contempt.
Contempt of court can result in fines ranging from $100 to $1,000 or more, depending on your state and the specific court. Some courts will issue a bench warrant, which means police can arrest you if they pull you over or if the court decides to enforce it. A few states have jailed people for repeated failure to respond to jury summons, though this is rare. The safest approach is always to respond to the summons, even if you plan to request an excuse.
How to request to be excused from jury duty
The summons you receive will include instructions on how to contact the court. Most courts allow you to call a jury hotline, send a written request by mail, or respond online through the court's website. Read your summons carefully — it will tell you the important date for requesting an excuse and which method the court prefers.
When you contact the court, explain your reason clearly and honestly. Courts hear hundreds of excuse requests and can usually tell when someone is being truthful. Common reasons that courts accept include serious medical conditions, caregiving for a dependent with no alternative care, financial hardship that would result from missing work, and pre-planned travel that cannot be changed. Some courts will excuse you on the spot; others will ask you to provide documentation like a doctor's note or a letter from your employer.
If the court denies your request, you have the option to ask the judge in person on your jury duty date. Judges sometimes grant excuses that the court clerk denied, especially if your situation has changed or if you can show new documentation.
Postponing jury duty to a later date
If you want to serve but the date does not work for you, many courts will let you postpone to a different time. This is often easier to get approved than a full excuse. You can usually postpone once or twice without much explanation — courts understand that people have work important date, family events, or medical appointments.
To request a postponement, contact the court using the same method you would use to request an excuse. Tell them the date you received and ask if you can serve during a different month or season. Some courts have a list of upcoming jury duty dates and will let you choose one that works better. Others will assign you to the next available pool. The court will send you a new summons with your new date.
Hardships the court will consider
Courts recognize that jury duty can create real problems for some people. They are most likely to excuse you if you can show that serving would cause serious harm or impossible burden. Medical conditions that make sitting in court difficult or dangerous — chronic pain, mobility issues, severe anxiety — are usually accepted, especially with a doctor's letter. Caregiving duties for a child, elderly parent, or disabled family member with no one else to provide care are also commonly accepted.
Financial hardship is trickier. If you are self-employed or paid hourly and will lose significant income, some courts will excuse you. Others will not, because they argue that everyone loses income during jury duty. Bring documentation: a letter from your employer, proof of hourly wages, or a statement of your business income. Pre-planned travel, especially if you have already paid for flights or hotels, may be accepted if you request the excuse before your service date.
Courts are less likely to excuse you for work obligations, school, or minor inconvenience. If your employer says you cannot miss work, that is usually not enough on its own — many employers are required by law to allow employees time for jury duty. However, if you work in a critical role where your absence would genuinely harm others (like a surgeon or a single parent running a daycare), the court may listen.
What happens if you are selected and seated as a juror
Once you are sworn in as a juror and the trial begins, you cannot leave without the judge's permission. Even if a hardship arises during the trial — a family emergency, a medical crisis, a work disaster — you must tell the judge, not just disappear. The judge may grant a mistrial or allow you to leave, but that decision is theirs to make.
Trials can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks or longer. Before you are seated, the judge and lawyers will ask questions about your availability. This is your chance to mention any upcoming obligations or concerns. If you tell the court during jury selection that you cannot serve for the full length of the trial, they will likely excuse you before you are sworn in.
State and local differences in jury duty rules
Jury duty rules are set by state law and individual court systems, so the process and the consequences vary. Some states are more lenient about excuses; others are stricter. Some courts have moved to online jury duty systems where you can respond to your summons entirely by email or website. Others still require you to call or mail in your response.
The fines for ignoring a summons also differ. Some states cap fines at $100; others allow fines of $500 or more. A few states have more aggressive enforcement and will issue warrants more quickly. If you are unsure about the rules in your area, the court's website or the summons itself will usually explain the consequences of not responding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be arrested for not showing up to jury duty?
Yes, if you ignore a summons and do not respond to follow-up notices, the court can issue a bench warrant for your arrest. However, this is uncommon — most courts will fine you first or give you multiple chances to respond. The risk increases if you ignore multiple summons over time.
What if I have a job that will not let me take time off?
Many employers are required by law to allow employees time for jury duty and cannot fire or punish you for serving. If your employer is refusing to let you go, you can tell the court this during jury selection or when requesting an excuse. Bring documentation like an email from your boss. The court may still require you to serve, but they will know about the pressure you are facing.
Can I get out of jury duty by lying?
You can try, but courts hear thousands of excuses and can usually tell when someone is lying. If you lie under oath during jury selection, you could be charged with perjury. It is safer and easier to tell the truth about your situation and let the court decide whether it is a valid reason to excuse you.
How long does jury duty usually last?
It depends on the type of case. Jury selection and a short trial might take a few days. A complex civil case could take weeks. A criminal trial can last anywhere from a few days to several months in rare cases. The court will tell you the expected length when you arrive for jury duty or during jury selection.
Do I get paid for jury duty?
Most courts pay jurors a small amount — often $15 to $50 per day, though some pay nothing for the first few days. The amount varies by state and court. You will not be paid for the time you spend waiting to be selected, only for the time you actually serve on a jury. This is why financial hardship is sometimes accepted as an excuse.