How long does jury duty last?
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One day, one trial, or a term of months? How federal and state courts define jury service, and how to plan when you don't know.
The honest answer is "it depends on the court," which isn't much help when you're trying to plan work and childcare. Here's how the main models work, so you can read your summons and know what to expect.
Federal trial juries: one case
The U.S. Courts say federal petit (trial) jurors hear a maximum of one case and are then discharged. You may report and never be selected, or you may be selected for a trial. Most trials are short, but some run for weeks. The judge usually tells the panel the expected length during jury selection, which is the time to raise a serious conflict.
Federal grand juries: months, part-time
Federal grand jurors generally serve up to 18 months, extendable to 24, but they don't meet every day. A grand jury might meet one day every other week in a smaller district, or a couple of days a week in a busy one. See grand jury vs. trial jury.
State courts: several models
- One day or one trial. Many states and counties have adopted this approach. If you're not selected on your reporting day, your service is done. If you're selected, you serve for that trial. Colorado's judicial branch says people selected to serve on a jury are required to serve only for the duration of that trial, and that Colorado law since 1990 has limited how often a person must serve in a calendar year.
- A term of service. Some courts summon jurors for a term, and they report only on the days they're needed. Virginia's official juror guide says jurors serve for one term of court, that the term may last up to four months depending on where you live, and that the summons shows the dates.
- On-call weeks. Some courts put jurors on call for a week and ask them to check each evening whether to report.
Your summons will say which model applies. Your state's jury page usually explains it too.
Planning when you don't know
- Tell your employer the reporting date and that length is uncertain. Our employer letter is written for exactly that.
- Line up backup childcare for a few days, just in case.
- Check in the evening before each reporting day.
- If a long trial would be a real hardship, say so honestly during jury selection when the judge asks.
After a long trial
When your service ends, get proof of attendance for each day you served, and check your juror pay. Federal trial jurors on one case for more than 10 days may get up to $10 a day extra at the judge's discretion. See the pay calculator.