Got a jury summons? What the letter means and how to check it

What a jury summons is

Courts need ordinary people to serve as jurors. Jurors listen to testimony, review evidence and decide civil and criminal cases. To find them, courts select residents at random from the area they serve and contact them, most often by mail.

The letter you received might be one of two things:

• A qualification questionnaire. The court asks questions to check whether you're eligible. Federal courts often have you complete it online.

• A summons to appear. The court tells you when and where to report, or how to check whether you're needed.

Some courts combine both. Read the heading and the first paragraph to see which one you have.

Federal or state court?

Jury service can be for a federal court or a state or local court, and the rules differ. The letter names the court. Federal district courts follow federal rules. State and county courts follow their own state's rules, which set things like qualifications, excuses and pay.

This guide uses the federal rules published at uscourts.gov as a verified example. For a state or county summons, check the court's own website, usually found through your state's judicial branch site.

The details to find

1. The court's name. For example, a U.S. District Court or a county superior court.

2. Your juror number or participant ID. You'll need it online or by phone.

3. The response date for any questionnaire.

4. Your service date or period, and the location.

5. How to check if you're needed, often by phone or online.

6. How to ask for a postponement or excuse.

Sample (synthetic): Northgate County Superior Court. Juror ID: 4471-208. Complete your juror questionnaire online within 10 days. Your service date is Monday, January 11.

Check that it's genuine

Juror scams are common enough that federal courts warn about them. Scammers call or email saying you missed jury duty and must pay a fine or face arrest.

From uscourts.gov:

• Most contact between a federal court and a prospective juror is through the U.S. mail.

• Federal courts don't require anyone to provide sensitive information in a phone call or email.

• Scammers threaten fines and jail time.

If something seems wrong, don't share information. Contact the clerk of court for the court named on the letter, using details from the court's official website. For federal courts, the Federal Court Finder on uscourts.gov lists contact information. You can also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission.

Warning signs:

• A demand for payment by phone, gift card, wire or crypto to "clear" a missed summons

• Requests for your Social Security number, bank details or card number by phone or email

• A threat of immediate arrest

• A website that isn't the court's official site

Who can serve on a federal jury

Uscourts.gov says federal jurors must:

• Be U.S. citizens

• Be at least 18 years old

• Have lived primarily in the judicial district for at least one year

Other criteria cover English ability, mental or physical capacity (with accommodation available), and certain felony history. State courts set their own criteria.

Exemptions, excuses and postponements

For federal jury service, uscourts.gov lists three exempt groups: active-duty members of the armed forces and National Guard, members of non-federal professional fire and police departments, and full-time public officers.

Federal courts may also grant permanent excuses to some groups, such as people over 70, and temporary deferrals for undue hardship or extreme inconvenience. Excuses are at the court's discretion. To ask, contact the court that selected you. Have the reason ready and any document that supports it, such as a work schedule, travel booking or caregiving letter.

State and county courts have their own excuse rules. The summons or the court's website explains how to ask.

Don't ignore it

Uscourts.gov doesn't spell out the consequences of ignoring a federal summons, and state rules vary. Answering the questionnaire and following the instructions, or asking properly for a postponement, keeps things simple. If you can't meet a date, contact the court before it passes.

Pay and your job

Federal jurors are paid for each day of service and may be eligible for reimbursements, according to uscourts.gov. State courts set their own rates. Your summons or the court's website should explain pay and any reimbursements.

If you're worried about work, tell your employer as soon as you have your service date. Many employers have a jury duty policy. Check your state's rules or the court's website for any employee protections that apply.

If you've moved or the details are wrong

If the summons went to an old address, or you now live outside the area the court serves, tell the court. For federal courts, uscourts.gov says jurors must have lived primarily in the judicial district for at least one year. Contact the clerk using details from the court's website and explain the change.

A quick checklist

• Court name confirmed, and contact details found on its official website

• Questionnaire completed by the date given

• Service date and reporting instructions in your calendar

• Postponement or excuse requested before the deadline, if needed

• Employer told, with a copy of the summons if they ask

• No personal or payment details shared by phone or email

Get the summons explained

A summons can include several dates and codes. EasyToDecode, launching soon, will read your own letter, quote the court, your juror ID, each date and the steps it asks for, and list questions to raise with the clerk. See how it works or join the waitlist to hear when it opens.