The Federal Jury Office handles jury duty for federal courts, not state courts

The Federal Jury Office is the administrative arm of the federal court system that manages jury selection, scheduling, and logistics for cases heard in U.S. District Courts. If you receive a summons with a federal court name and location on it — not a state or county court — the Federal Jury Office for that district is the office you contact and report to.

Each of the 94 U.S. District Courts across the country has its own Federal Jury Office. That office pulls names from voter registration and driver's license records in its district, sends out summonses, processes questionnaires, and handles the day-to-day work of getting jurors to the courthouse. The judges and attorneys do not run the jury system; the Federal Jury Office does.

The key difference from state jury duty: federal cases tend to be longer, the rules are stricter, and the Federal Jury Office is more formal about attendance and important date. If you ignore a federal summons, the consequences are more serious than they typically are for state court.

Key Takeaways

  • The Federal Jury Office is part of the U.S. District Court in your region and manages all jury operations for federal cases in that court.
  • Each of the 94 federal districts has its own office, and you contact the specific office listed on your summons, not a national number.
  • Federal jury duty often lasts longer than state jury duty because federal cases are typically more complex.
  • The Federal Jury Office enforces attendance strictly — missing a federal summons without valid reason can result in fines or contempt charges.
  • You can request a postponement or excuse through the Federal Jury Office by mail, phone, or online, depending on what your summons says.

How to find your district's Federal Jury Office

Your summons will list the specific U.S. District Court and the jury office phone number or mailing address. Do not search for a general "Federal Jury Office" — each district's office is separate, and you need the one for your district.

If you have lost your summons or need to verify which district covers your area, go to uscourts.gov and look for the district court locator. Type in your state and county, and it will show you which U.S. District Court serves your area and provide contact information for that court's jury office.

Once you have the correct office, save the phone number and any online portal information. You will use this contact if you need to reschedule, request an excuse, or ask questions about your summons.

What the Federal Jury Office will ask you to do

After you receive a summons, the Federal Jury Office typically sends a juror questionnaire — either by mail or through an online portal — asking about your background, work, health, and ability to serve. This questionnaire is not optional. You must return it by the important date stated, even if you think you cannot serve.

The office uses your answers to decide whether to call you in for jury selection (called voir dire). Some people are excused based on their questionnaire responses; others are called to the courthouse on a specific date. The office will tell you which category you fall into and when to report if you are called.

If you are called to the courthouse, you will check in with the Federal Jury Office staff, sit through jury selection, and potentially be sworn in as a juror. Federal trials can last days, weeks, or even months, depending on the case. The office does not decide how long you serve — the judge and attorneys do — but the office handles your scheduling and any logistical issues that come up.

Requesting a postponement or excuse from the Federal Jury Office

You can ask to postpone your jury duty to a later date or request to be excused entirely. The Federal Jury Office has a process for both, but you must request it before your scheduled date. Waiting until the day you are supposed to report makes it much harder to get relief.

Most summonses include a phone number, website, or mailing address where you can submit a request. Some federal courts have online portals where you fill out a form; others want you to call or send a letter. Follow the instructions on your summons exactly. Include your juror number, the case or court date, and a clear reason for your request.

Valid reasons for postponement include work conflicts, medical issues, caregiving responsibilities, or financial hardship. Valid reasons for an excuse include age over 70 in most districts, severe health problems, or being the sole caregiver for someone who cannot be left alone. The Federal Jury Office reviews your request and either grants it, denies it, or asks for more information.

If you are granted a postponement, you will be rescheduled for a later date. If you are excused, you will not be called for that round of jury duty, though you may be summoned again in the future.

What happens if you do not respond to a federal summons

Ignoring a federal jury summons is taken seriously. If you do not return your questionnaire or do not show up on your scheduled date without a valid reason, the Federal Jury Office will send you a reminder. If you still do not respond, the judge can hold you in contempt of court.

Contempt of court for missing jury duty can result in a fine (amounts vary by district but can be several hundred dollars) or, in rare cases, jail time. The Federal Jury Office does not want to pursue this — they want you to either serve or request an excuse — but they will if you ignore multiple notices.

If you have a genuine emergency on the day you are supposed to report, call the Federal Jury Office when ready and explain. Most offices will work with you if you contact them before your scheduled time. Calling after you have already missed your time slot is much less effective.

Federal jury duty length and pay

Federal jury duty typically lasts longer than state jury duty. A federal trial can run for several weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the case. You will not know the length when you are called; the judge will tell you during jury selection.

The federal government pays jurors a small daily fee — currently $50 for the first three days, then $100 per day after that, though this amount can vary slightly by district. This is not meant to cover your full lost wages; it is a token payment. If you are self-employed or lose significant income, you can ask the judge for a hardship excuse, but you must do this before or during jury selection, not after you have already been seated.

Your employer is required by law to let you take time off for federal jury duty. They cannot fire you, demote you, or threaten you for serving. If your employer retaliates, you can report it to the Federal Jury Office or contact the U.S. Attorney's Office in your district.

The difference between federal and state jury duty

Federal jury duty is administered by the Federal Jury Office and involves cases in U.S. District Courts — cases involving federal law, disputes between states, bankruptcy, immigration, and other matters under federal jurisdiction. State jury duty is run by your state or county court system and involves cases under state law.

Federal cases are often more complex and take longer. Federal courts are also stricter about attendance and important date. If you receive a summons from a state or county court, you contact that court's jury office, not the Federal Jury Office. The rules and pay may differ slightly.

You can be summoned for both federal and state jury duty at different times. Serving in one does not excuse you from the other, though you can request a postponement if the dates overlap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be excused from federal jury duty because of my job?

A job conflict alone is usually not enough to be excused, but it may be enough to postpone your service to a later date. If your job involves work you cannot reschedule or if missing jury duty would cause severe financial hardship, explain this in your request to the Federal Jury Office. They will consider it, but they may ask your employer to confirm the conflict or may straightforward reschedule you for a later time.

What if I did not receive my federal jury summons?

Contact the Federal Jury Office for your district when ready and tell them you did not receive it. They can resend the summons or provide the information you need. If you ignore a summons you never received, you could still face contempt charges, so do not wait — call as soon as you realize it is missing.

Do I have to serve on a federal jury if I am over 70?

Most federal districts excuse people over 70 from jury duty, but the rule varies by district. Check your summons or call the Federal Jury Office to confirm the age limit in your district. If you are over the age limit, you can request an excuse based on age.

How long does federal jury selection usually take?

Jury selection (voir dire) in federal court typically takes one to three days, though it can be longer in complex cases. You will be told the expected length when you report. If you are not selected as a juror, you are usually excused that day or the next.

Can I request time off work for federal jury duty?

Yes. Your employer must let you take time off for federal jury duty and cannot retaliate against you. If your employer refuses or threatens you, report it to the Federal Jury Office or the U.S. Attorney's Office in your district.