If you’ve been summoned for Collier County jury duty, your first obligation is to complete the online juror questionnaire within 10 days of receiving the summons, then check the standby system each evening during your assigned week to find out whether you actually need to report to the courthouse in Naples.1Collier Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. Jury Service Service runs through the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida, and most of it happens at the Collier County Government Center.
Respond to the Summons Within 10 Days
Your summons arrives by mail as a perforated two-part document listing your term of service, reporting location, and juror ID. Within 10 days of receiving it, go to the Collier County Clerk’s jury response website and fill out the juror questionnaire, which covers personal history, employment, and potential conflicts. If you don’t have a computer or smartphone, you can complete the questionnaire on a clerk-provided device when you report to the courthouse.1Collier Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. Jury Service
Respond within that 10-day window even if you plan to ask for an excusal or postponement. Ignoring the summons is not an option.
How the One-Week Standby System Works
Collier County uses a one-week standby system. Your summons lists a term running Monday through Friday, but you don’t automatically show up on the first day. Instead, check the Jury eResponse website or call the automated jury line at (855) 675-9300 to find out whether your group has been given a reporting date. If the system tells you to “Check Back” or “Call Back,” you aren’t needed yet. Check again each evening after 6:00 p.m. until your standby week ends.2Collier Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. Jury Service (PDF)
Make it through the whole week without being called in, and your service is done. Under Florida law, you’re then exempt from another summons for one year from your last day of service.3The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 40.013 – Persons Disqualified or Excused from Jury Service
If You’re Called In: Reporting to the Courthouse
When the automated system gives you a reporting date, go to the Collier County Government Center at 3315 Tamiami Trail East in Naples. Free covered parking is available on the third floor of the parking garage.4Collier Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. Reporting Instructions After building security, take the elevators to the fifth floor and follow the signs to the jury assembly room.1Collier Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. Jury Service
The Clerk’s office asks jurors to dress in business or business-casual attire; casual clothing is not considered appropriate. Bring a sweater or light jacket, because courtrooms run cold. Bring your summons and a valid photo ID, and expect to pass through metal detectors at the entrance.1Collier Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. Jury Service
Disability Accommodations
If you have a disability that requires accommodation, contact the Administrative Court Services Manager at (239) 252-8800 at least seven days before your scheduled appearance. The court provides assistance at no cost, including services for hearing- or vision-impaired jurors. Hearing- or voice-impaired jurors can also reach the office through Florida Relay at 711.1Collier Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. Jury Service
Who Can Be Excused or Postponed
Florida law lists several categories of people who can be excused on request, with no need to prove hardship:
- Anyone age 70 or older can request a one-time excusal or ask in writing to be permanently removed from future jury lists.3The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 40.013 – Persons Disqualified or Excused from Jury Service
- Expectant mothers are excused upon request with no additional documentation.
- Parents who are not employed full-time and have custody of a child under six qualify for excusal upon request.
- Primary caregivers for someone who cannot care for themselves due to mental illness, intellectual disability, or other incapacity can be excused upon request.
Beyond those categories, the presiding judge has discretion to excuse anyone who shows genuine hardship, extreme inconvenience, or a public-necessity conflict. The judge can also excuse practicing attorneys, practicing physicians, and people who are physically infirm.3The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 40.013 – Persons Disqualified or Excused from Jury Service A permanent excusal for a physical or mental condition that prevents self-care requires a written statement from a licensed physician.
If the assigned week just doesn’t work for your schedule, ask the Collier County jury office for a postponement to a different service term. Requests are handled as a courtesy by the court, so send yours as early as possible through the eResponse website or by phone, before your standby week begins.
Who Qualifies, and Who’s Disqualified
Florida sets a short list of baseline qualifications. You must be a United States citizen, at least 18 years old, and a legal resident of both Florida and Collier County. You also need a valid Florida driver’s license or state identification card, though you can file an affidavit as a substitute if you have neither.5The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 40.01 – Qualifications of Jurors
A separate statute spells out who cannot serve. You are disqualified if you are currently being prosecuted for any crime or if you have a felony conviction anywhere and your civil rights have not been restored. Sitting judges, clerks of court, the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and Cabinet officers are also barred. Full-time law enforcement officers and investigative personnel are automatically excused unless they volunteer.3The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 40.013 – Persons Disqualified or Excused from Jury Service
What Happens If You Don’t Show Up
Skipping jury duty in Florida carries real consequences. If you are properly summoned and fail to appear without a sufficient excuse, the court can fine you up to $100 and may also hold you in contempt of court.6Florida Senate. Florida Code 40.23 – Penalties for Failure to Attend Contempt carries additional penalties at the judge’s discretion, including possible jail time. The court typically sends follow-up notices before escalating, but counting on the system to forget about you is a losing bet.
If something legitimate comes up after you’ve been summoned, contact the Collier County jury office right away to explain and request a postponement. A phone call ahead of time is almost always enough to avoid any penalty.
Pay and Job Protection
Florida’s juror pay is modest. If your employer keeps paying your regular wages while you serve, you receive nothing from the state for the first three days. If you aren’t getting your usual pay during service, the state pays $15 per day for those first three days. Starting on day four, every juror receives $30 per day regardless of employment status. Florida does not reimburse jurors for mileage, parking, or other travel expenses, though courthouse parking is free.7The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 40.24 – Compensation and Reimbursement Policy
Your job is protected while you serve. Florida law makes it illegal for an employer to fire you or threaten to fire you because of jury service. An employer who violates that protection faces contempt of court charges and can be sued for compensatory damages, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney’s fees.8The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 40.271 – Jury Service If your employer pushes back when you share your summons, that statute is worth knowing about.