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Jury duty

As a U.S. citizen, you may be asked to serve on a jury. Here's how to respond to a summons, what the day looks like, and how to avoid scams.
Illustration of a diverse group of adults waiting calmly in a bright courthouse jury room, one holding a letter.

Why new citizens get summoned

Serving on a jury is one of the ways U.S. citizens take part in the justice system. Courts choose people at random, often from voter registration lists and sometimes from driver's license lists — so many people receive their first summons after registering to vote.

Most jury service happens in state or county courts. Some happens in federal courts. Your summons says which court sent it. Rules, pay, and how to ask for a new date differ by court, so always follow the instructions on your own summons.

U.S. Courts: Jury service(opens uscourts.gov in a new tab)

Your summons, step by step

What to do from the day the letter arrives.

What to expect at the courthouse

Every court is a little different. Your summons and the court's website have the details for your day.

  1. Check in

    Arrive at the time on your summons and bring it with a photo ID. Security screening is common, so leave extra time.

  2. Wait in the jury room

    You may wait for a while before being called. Bring a book or something quiet to do. Some people are sent home without being called — that still counts as serving.

  3. Jury selection

    The judge and lawyers ask a group of people questions to pick a fair jury. This is sometimes called "voir dire." Answer honestly. Not being chosen is normal and says nothing bad about you.

  4. Serving on a trial

    Listen to the evidence and follow the judge's instructions. Don't research the case or talk about it with anyone — including online — until the judge says you may.

  5. Pay and help

    Courts pay jurors a small daily amount and sometimes travel costs. Amounts differ by court. If you need a disability accommodation, contact the court before your date.

U.S. Courts: Jury service — what to expect(opens uscourts.gov in a new tab)Handbook for trial jurors (U.S. District Courts, PDF)(opens uscourts.gov in a new tab)U.S. Courts: Juror pay(opens uscourts.gov in a new tab)

Jury duty scams

Scammers pretend to be court officers to scare people into paying. Knowing the signs keeps you safe.

Warning signs

  • Someone calls, texts, or emails saying you missed jury duty and a warrant has been issued for your arrest.
  • They claim to be a U.S. Marshal, police officer, or court official — and their caller ID may even look real.
  • They already know your name or address, to seem believable.
  • They demand a "fine" right away, paid by gift card, payment app, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or cash in person.
  • They ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, or bank details to "verify" you.
  • They send you to a website or a fake "court" document to pay or upload information.

What real courts do

  • Courts contact potential jurors mainly by mail.
  • Federal courts do not ask for personal or financial information by phone or email, and do not demand payment over the phone.
  • No real court or officer will ask you to pay with a gift card, payment app, or cryptocurrency.

If you get a call like this

  1. Hang up or don't reply. Don't click links or open attachments.
  2. Look up the court's contact information yourself and call to ask whether there is any problem.
  3. Report the scam to the FTC.
  4. If you already paid or shared information, contact your bank or payment company right away.
U.S. Courts: Juror scams(opens uscourts.gov in a new tab)FTC: Calls threatening arrest for missing jury duty(opens consumer.ftc.gov in a new tab)FTC: Fake websites in jury duty scams(opens consumer.ftc.gov in a new tab)Report fraud to the FTC (ReportFraud.ftc.gov)(opens reportfraud.ftc.gov in a new tab)