You get jury duty through a random selection process run by your court

You do not explore for jury duty or volunteer for it. Your local court selects jurors at random from a list of registered voters, driver's license holders, or state ID holders in your county. The court sends you a summons in the mail telling you when and where to report. Ignoring the summons can result in fines or a court order to appear.

The selection process varies slightly by state and county, but the basic steps are the same everywhere: the court pulls names randomly, sends out summonses, screens people for conflicts or hardship, and then attorneys and judges choose the final jury from those who remain.

You cannot prevent yourself from being selected, but you can request to be excused if you have a genuine hardship. The court decides whether your reason is valid enough.

Key Takeaways

  • Courts select jurors randomly from voter registration lists or driver's license records, not from volunteers or applications.
  • A summons arrives by mail and tells you the date, time, and courthouse location where you must report.
  • You can request to be excused for hardship, but the judge decides whether your reason is valid.
  • Ignoring a summons without permission can result in fines, contempt charges, or a warrant for your arrest.
  • The selection process includes a screening called voir dire, where attorneys ask questions to find bias or conflicts.

Where your name comes from

Courts maintain jury pools drawn from public records. Most states use voter registration lists as the primary source, and many also pull from driver's license or state ID records. Some counties use property tax records or utility customer lists as supplemental sources. The court's computer system selects names at random from these lists.

You cannot opt out of the jury pool just by not voting or not having a driver's license. If you are a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, a resident of the county for at least one year, and able to speak English, you can be selected regardless of whether you registered to vote.

The court does not know who you are before the summons goes out. The selection is purely random, like a lottery.

What happens when you receive a summons

A jury summons is an official court document that arrives by mail. It includes the courthouse address, the date and time you must report, what to bring, and instructions on what to do if you cannot attend. Read it carefully because the date and time are mandatory unless you get permission to reschedule.

Some summonses ask you to fill out a questionnaire before you arrive. This questionnaire asks about your job, your health, whether you know any of the parties or attorneys involved, and whether you have strong opinions about the case topic. Return it by the important date even if you think you will be excused, because the court uses it to screen the jury pool.

If you lose the summons or are unsure whether you received one, call the courthouse listed on any paperwork you have. Do not ignore it and hope it goes away.

The screening process at the courthouse

On the day you report, you will sit in a jury assembly room with dozens or hundreds of other summoned people. Court staff will explain the process and answer basic questions. Then the judge or court clerk will ask whether anyone has a hardship that makes jury service impossible or extremely difficult.

Hardships that courts often excuse include medical conditions that prevent you from sitting for hours, caregiving responsibilities with no backup, financial hardship from lost wages, or pre-planned travel that cannot be rescheduled. Courts are less likely to excuse you for general inconvenience, a busy work schedule, or dislike of jury duty. If you have a genuine hardship, bring documentation: a doctor's note, a letter from your employer, proof of a non-refundable plane ticket, or a custody agreement.

If the judge excuses you, you leave. If not, you move to the next phase: voir dire.

Voir dire: how attorneys choose the jury

Voir dire is the questioning process where attorneys and the judge ask potential jurors about bias, conflicts of interest, and their views on the case. In some courtrooms, the judge asks all the questions. In others, attorneys ask directly. The process can last from a few minutes to several hours depending on the case.

Attorneys are looking for jurors who can be fair and impartial. They will ask whether you know anyone involved in the case, whether you have been a victim of a similar crime, whether you have strong feelings about the type of case being tried, and whether anything in your background would make it hard for you to follow the judge's instructions. Answer honestly. If you have a bias or conflict, say so — that is the point of the questioning.

After voir dire, attorneys can remove jurors in two ways. A challenge for cause removes someone because the judge agrees there is a real reason they cannot be fair. A peremptory challenge lets attorneys remove a small number of people without giving a reason, though they cannot use it to remove people based solely on race, gender, or other protected characteristics.

If you are selected as a juror

Once both sides have used their challenges, the remaining people become the jury. The judge will swear you in and explain your duties. You will hear the evidence, follow the judge's instructions on the law, and deliberate with the other jurors to reach a verdict.

Jury service typically lasts from one day to two weeks, though some trials run longer. You will receive a small payment from the court — usually between $15 and $50 per day depending on your state and county. Some employers are required by law to pay you your regular wages while you serve, but not all are. Check your employee handbook or ask your HR department.

You cannot be fired, threatened, or punished for serving on a jury. If your employer retaliates against you for jury service, that is illegal.

What happens if you ignore a summons

Ignoring a jury summons is treated as contempt of court. The court will send you a notice asking why you did not appear. If you do not respond to that notice, the judge can issue a fine (typically $100 to $1,000 depending on your state), order you to appear in person to explain yourself, or issue a warrant for your arrest.

If you genuinely did not receive the summons, bring proof to the courthouse — for example, if you moved and the mail was not forwarded. If you received it but had an emergency, contact the court when ready and explain. Courts are usually willing to work with people who communicate, but they are strict with people who straightforward do not show up.

If you are unsure whether you are required to respond, call the courthouse. It is always safer to ask than to assume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reschedule my jury duty to a different date?

Yes. Call the courthouse number on your summons and ask to postpone to a date that works better for you. Courts usually allow one or two postponements. You will receive a new summons for the rescheduled date. Do this before your original date, not after you miss it.

What if I have a job interview or vacation scheduled?

Tell the court when you report or call ahead. A job interview usually does not count as a hardship that excuses you, but a pre-paid, non-refundable vacation may. Bring proof of the vacation booking. The judge makes the final decision.

Do I have to answer questions honestly during voir dire if I want to get out of jury duty?

Yes. Lying during voir dire to avoid jury duty is perjury, which is a crime. If you have a real bias or conflict, say so — that is the legitimate way to be excused. If you do not have one, you cannot create one by lying.

Will I lose pay if I serve on a jury?

That depends on your employer and your state. Some states require employers to pay you your regular wages while you serve. Others do not. The court will pay you a small daily fee, but it usually does not cover your full lost wages. Ask your employer or HR department what their policy is.

Can I be excused because I do not believe in the death penalty or I distrust police?

Those beliefs alone do not automatically excuse you. However, if your belief is so strong that you could not follow the judge's instructions or be fair to one side, tell the judge during voir dire. The judge or an attorney may then excuse you for cause. Lying about your beliefs to get excused is perjury.