How you find out you have jury duty

You find out you have jury duty when you receive official mail from your court — usually a jury summons or jury duty notice. This is a legal document that tells you which court, what date, and what time to show up. It comes from the clerk's office of your state or federal court, not from a lawyer or private company.

The summons arrives by regular mail at the address where you're registered to vote or where your driver's license is on file. Some courts now send a notice by email or text message in addition to mail, but the official summons is always mailed. You cannot receive jury duty by phone call or email alone.

If you've moved recently and didn't update your voter registration or driver's license, you might not receive the summons at all — but that doesn't mean you don't have jury duty. The court sent it to the address they have on record. If you think you should have received one, you can call your local court clerk to check whether your name was drawn.

Key Takeaways

  • A jury summons is official mail from your court's clerk office that tells you the date, time, and location where you must appear.
  • The summons is mailed to the address on your voter registration or driver's license, so updating your address with both helps you receive it.
  • You may be excused from jury duty for certain reasons — age, hardship, prior conviction, or lack of citizenship — but you must respond to the summons to request an excuse.
  • Ignoring a jury summons can result in fines or a court order to appear, so responding within the important date is important even if you cannot serve.
  • If you're unsure whether you received a real summons, call your court clerk directly rather than relying on email or phone contact from someone claiming to represent the court.

What the summons document looks like

A jury summons is a formal letter on court letterhead with the court's name, address, and phone number at the top. It includes your name, the date you must appear, the time you must arrive, and the courthouse address. It also lists what to bring — usually a photo ID and proof of citizenship or residency.

The summons explains that jury duty is a legal obligation and that failure to respond can result in fines or contempt of court charges. It may also include a questionnaire asking about your job, health, prior convictions, or other facts the court uses to decide whether you can serve fairly. Some courts ask you to fill out and return the questionnaire before your appearance date.

Real summonses come only from the court clerk's office. They do not ask you to pay money, click a link, or provide personal information like your Social Security number or bank account details. If you receive something claiming to be a jury summons but asking for payment or sensitive information, it is a scam — call your court clerk to verify.

When you must respond to a summons

You must respond to a jury summons by the important date printed on the document, even if you cannot serve. The important date is usually 7 to 14 days after you receive it. Responding means either confirming you will appear on the date listed, or requesting to be excused or postponed.

If the summons includes a questionnaire, fill it out completely and return it by the important date. Do not leave questions blank or write "N/A" — the court uses your answers to screen for conflicts of interest or reasons you cannot serve. If you need more time to respond, call the court clerk before the important date and ask for an extension.

Some courts now allow you to respond online through their website or by phone. The summons will tell you which methods are available. If you're unsure how to respond, call the number on the summons and ask the clerk's office for instructions.

Reasons you might be excused from jury duty

You may be excused from jury duty if you meet certain conditions. These vary by state and court, but common reasons include being over a certain age (often 70 or 75), having a serious medical condition, being the primary caregiver for someone who cannot be left alone, or having a financial hardship that serving would create.

You may also be disqualified if you are not a U.S. citizen, do not speak English well enough to follow the trial, have been convicted of a felony and have not had your rights restored, or are currently under a restraining order. Some courts excuse people who have already served jury duty within a certain time period, such as the past two years.

To request an excuse, you must respond to the summons and explain your reason in writing or by phone. straightforward ignoring the summons does not excuse you — you have to tell the court why you cannot serve. If the court denies your request, you must appear on the date listed or risk being held in contempt.

What happens if you ignore a jury summons

Ignoring a jury summons is a violation of court order. The consequences vary by state and court, but typically include a fine ranging from $100 to $1,000 or more. Some courts issue a second notice or hold a hearing to determine whether you had a valid reason for not responding.

If you miss your court date without being excused, the judge may issue a bench warrant for your arrest. This means you could be arrested if you are stopped by police. The court may also hold you in contempt, which can result in jail time in addition to fines.

If you received a summons but genuinely did not see it — because you moved and did not update your address, or because it was lost in the mail — contact the court clerk as soon as you realize there is a problem. Explain what happened and ask what you should do. Courts are usually more lenient when you come forward on your own than when they have to track you down.

How courts select jurors from the summons list

Courts use voter registration and driver's license records to create a pool of potential jurors. They randomly select names from this pool and mail summonses to those people. This random selection is called venire, and it is designed to create a cross-section of the community.

Not everyone who receives a summons will actually serve on a jury. When you arrive at court on your summons date, you go through a process called voir dire, where lawyers and the judge ask you questions to decide whether you can be fair and impartial. Based on your answers, you may be dismissed from that particular case but still required to stay for other cases that day, or you may be sent home.

If you are selected to serve on a jury, the court will tell you how long the trial is expected to last. Some trials last one day; others last weeks. You are required to serve for the entire trial unless the judge excuses you during the process.

Scams that look like jury summonses

Scammers sometimes send fake jury summonses by email or text message claiming you owe a fine or must pay a fee to be excused from duty. Real courts do not ask for payment by email, text, or phone. They do not ask you to click links or provide personal information like your Social Security number or bank account details.

If you receive a message claiming to be from a court and you are unsure whether it is real, do not respond to the message. Instead, call your local court clerk directly using the phone number listed on the court's official website. Tell them what you received and ask whether it is legitimate.

Real jury summonses come only by mail on official court letterhead. If you receive a jury duty notice by any other method asking for money or personal information, it is a scam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be called for jury duty if I'm not registered to vote?

Yes. Courts use both voter registration and driver's license records to build their jury pools. If your driver's license is current and on file with your state, you can be summoned even if you are not registered to vote. Updating both your voter registration and driver's license address helps may support you receive the summons if you are selected.

What if I didn't receive my jury summons in the mail?

Call your local court clerk and explain that you did not receive a summons. They can check whether your name was drawn and whether the summons was mailed to the correct address. If it was sent to an old address, ask what you should do next. Do not assume you are off the hook — the court may reschedule you or issue a new summons.

Do I have to tell my employer I have jury duty?

Yes. You should notify your employer as soon as you receive the summons so they can plan for your absence. By law, employers cannot fire, threaten, or punish you for serving jury duty. If your employer retaliates, you may have a legal claim against them. Bring a copy of your summons to work if your employer questions your absence.

Can I postpone my jury duty to a different date?

Many courts allow you to request a postponement if the date on your summons is inconvenient. You must respond to the summons by the important date and explain why you need a different date. The court will tell you whether it can reschedule you. Do not straightforward skip your court date and hope the court forgets — you must formally request a postponement.

What if I have a medical condition and cannot serve?

Respond to your summons and explain your medical condition in writing or by phone. Include any documentation from your doctor if possible. The court will decide whether your condition excuses you from duty. You may be asked to provide more information or to have your doctor contact the court directly. Do not assume your condition automatically excuses you — you must request it through the proper process.