A federal jury summons is a court order to appear, and the first thing to do is respond to it by the deadline printed on the notice, using the juror identification number assigned to you. You can usually reply through the court’s online portal, by mail, or through an automated phone line. Ignoring the summons can cost you up to $1,000 in fines, up to three days in jail, mandatory community service, or any combination of the three.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1866 – Selection and Summoning of Jury Panels Responding is straightforward once you know what the court is looking for.
How to Respond to the Summons
Look for the juror identification number printed near your name and address. That number is the key to every method of response, so write it down and keep it somewhere separate from the summons itself in case the original goes missing.
Most federal courts now accept responses through a secure online portal, and that is the fastest route. You log in with your juror number, complete the qualification questionnaire, and get a digital confirmation on the spot. If you prefer paper, fill out the enclosed questionnaire in ink and return it in the prepaid envelope. Some courts also take responses through an automated phone system. Whichever route you choose, act promptly. Most summonses give you roughly five to ten days from receipt.
The questionnaire collects basic information: your contact details, legal name, occupation, and any prior experience with the legal system. It also asks about potential conflicts that could affect your ability to serve. Keep a copy of whatever you submit, whether that is a screenshot of the digital confirmation or a photocopy of the paper form. If the court’s system later flags you as non-responsive, that receipt is your proof.
Who Has to Serve and Who Doesn’t
Federal eligibility is set by statute and applies uniformly across districts. To serve, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and a resident of the judicial district for at least one year. You also need to be able to read, write, speak, and understand English well enough to follow the proceedings and complete the qualification form.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1865 – Qualifications for Jury Service
Two groups are automatically disqualified. Anyone with a mental or physical condition that would prevent adequate service cannot be seated, though courts will provide reasonable accommodations when possible.3United States Courts. Juror Qualifications, Exemptions and Excuses Anyone currently facing felony charges, or previously convicted of a felony without having their civil rights restored, is also ineligible.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1865 – Qualifications for Jury Service
Federal law also carves out three categorical exemptions tied to professional role:4Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1863 – Plan for Random Jury Selection
- Members of the Armed Forces on active duty.
- Members of any fire or police department at the federal, state, or local level.
- Public officers in the executive, legislative, or judicial branches at any level of government who are actively performing official duties.
If one of these applies to you, still respond to the summons and identify your basis for exemption on the questionnaire. Silence is treated as non-response, not as a claim of exemption.
Asking for a Deferral or Excuse
A deferral and an excuse are different, and knowing which one to request matters. A deferral postpones your service to a later date — you still serve, just not now. An excuse releases you from service for this term entirely. Courts generally grant deferrals more freely than excuses.
Federal jury selection plans let courts excuse people whose service would cause undue hardship or extreme inconvenience.4Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1863 – Plan for Random Jury Selection For a medical excuse, get a signed letter from your doctor describing the condition and explaining why it prevents service. If you were summoned in error because you are not a U.S. citizen, send documentation of your immigration status, such as a permanent resident card or visa, so the court can remove you from the pool.
Financial hardship takes more than a note that work is busy. Self-employed people, sole caregivers, and employees whose employers do not offer paid jury leave typically need written statements or records showing genuine economic harm. Specific and documented requests get granted. Vague ones get denied.
What Happens If You Ignore the Summons
Under 28 U.S.C. § 1866(g), a person summoned for jury service who fails to appear can be ordered to come to court and explain why. If the judge finds the explanation insufficient, the penalties include a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to three days, community service, or any combination of those.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1866 – Selection and Summoning of Jury Panels
In practice, most courts do not jump to jail for a first-time no-show. The usual next step is a second summons or a show-cause order, which is a formal demand to appear and explain yourself. If you respond at that point, apologize, and show willingness to serve, many judges will simply reschedule. The people who end up with fines and jail time are usually repeat no-shows, or people who also ignore the show-cause order.
A bench warrant is a real possibility once court communications are ignored. Once a warrant is issued, law enforcement can arrest you and bring you in for a contempt hearing. Those enforcement actions become part of your public legal record and can create complications with background checks. Responding to the original summons, even to request a deferral or excuse, prevents all of this.
What to Expect When You Report
Your summons will specify a reporting date and time. Many federal courts use a one-day-or-one-trial system: you report for one day, and if you are not seated on a trial, your service is done. If you are seated, you serve through the end of that trial. Most federal trials run a few days, though some go longer. Courts often require you to remain on call for a set period, typically about two weeks, during which you check in by phone or online to find out whether to come in the next day.
Dress as you would for a professional meeting. Business-casual clothing is the standard expectation; shorts, jeans, t-shirts, tank tops, and sweatshirts generally are not allowed. Security screening is similar to an airport. Weapons of any kind, including pocket knives, are prohibited, and so are cameras, recording devices, and anything that could disrupt proceedings.5U.S. Marshals Service. What To Expect When Visiting a Courthouse Cell phone rules vary by courthouse: some allow silenced phones, others ban them from courtrooms entirely. Most courthouses do not provide storage for prohibited items, so leave anything questionable at home or in your car.
If you are called into a courtroom for a specific case, you will go through voir dire. The judge describes the case, identifies the parties and attorneys, and asks the group questions aimed at uncovering personal connections, bias, or any reason you could not be impartial. Attorneys may also ask questions, depending on the judge. Jurors can be removed for cause when their answers show a specific reason not to serve, and each side also has a limited number of peremptory challenges that require no reason. Once the challenges are done, the panel is seated and the trial begins.
Pay and Job Protection
Federal jurors are paid $50 per day of attendance.6Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1871 – Fees If a trial runs longer than ten days, the presiding judge can raise that to $60 per day for each additional day.7United States Courts. Juror Pay Grand jurors become eligible for the same increase after 45 days of service. Federal government employees receive their regular salary instead of the juror fee.
Travel reimbursement follows the General Services Administration mileage rate, $0.725 per mile as of January 2026.8U.S. General Services Administration. Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) Mileage Reimbursement Rates Some courts also reimburse parking. If a trial requires an overnight stay, jurors receive a subsistence allowance for meals and lodging set by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.6Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1871 – Fees Federal law does not require private employers to pay your regular wages while you serve.
Federal law does make it illegal for any employer to fire, threaten, intimidate, or coerce a permanent employee because of jury service or scheduled jury service in federal court.9Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1875 – Protection of Jurors Employment Most states have parallel laws covering state court service. An employer that violates the federal protection can be ordered to pay the lost wages and benefits, reinstate you with full seniority as though you had been on approved leave, pay a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation per employee, and perform community service.
If you believe you have been retaliated against for federal jury service, you can file an action in the federal district court where the employer is located. If the court finds your claim has merit, it will appoint an attorney to represent you at no cost, and a prevailing employee can recover reasonable attorney’s fees. Employers can only recover fees from you if the court finds your claim was frivolous or brought in bad faith.9Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1875 – Protection of Jurors Employment
Spotting Jury Duty Scams
Scammers routinely impersonate court officials, U.S. Marshals, or police officers, calling or emailing people to say they missed jury duty and will be arrested unless they pay a fine immediately.10Federal Trade Commission. That Call or Email Saying You Missed Jury Duty and Need to Pay? Its a Scam They demand payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps, all chosen because they are nearly impossible to reverse.
Real courts do not demand payment over the phone. Legitimate court contact about jury service comes through the U.S. mail. No court official will ask for your Social Security number, credit card information, or bank account details during a phone call. If someone contacts you this way, hang up and call the clerk’s office directly using the number on the court’s official website, not any number the caller gives you.