Jury Duty in the USA: A New Citizen's Guide
Once you become a U.S. citizen, you may receive an official summons for jury duty — here's your guide to your obligations and rights, and how to spot scam calls impersonating the court.
In short: Federal jury duty is a legal obligation restricted to U.S. citizens, 18 or older, with adequate English proficiency. Your employer cannot fire you over it under federal law. Most phone calls demanding immediate payment of a "missed jury duty fine" are almost certainly a scam — a real court contacts you by mail, not an urgent call.
What jury duty is, and why it matters to you as a new citizen
A jury is a group of ordinary citizens randomly summoned to help decide a criminal or civil case in court, and it's a core pillar of the U.S. justice system. The moment you become a U.S. citizen, your name becomes eligible to appear in random summons pools, and you may receive an official summons letter with no prior warning — sometimes years after you naturalized.
Who is legally qualified for federal service
Under the Jury Selection and Service Act, you must meet all of the following to be qualified:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be 18 years old or older.
- Have resided in the federal judicial district for at least one year.
- Be able to adequately read, write, understand, and speak English well enough to follow court proceedings.
- Have no mental or physical condition that would prevent you from serving.
- Not currently face a felony charge carrying more than one year in prison.
- Never have been convicted of a felony, unless your civil rights were officially restored.
Who is permanently exempt
| Group | Exemption status |
|---|---|
| Active military and National Guard members | Permanently exempt |
| Full-time professional firefighters | Permanently exempt |
| Full-time professional police officers | Permanently exempt |
| Full-time elected or appointed government officials | Permanently exempt |
Temporary exemptions and postponements based on hardship
Beyond the permanently exempt categories, a court can grant you a temporary exemption or postponement if you demonstrate genuine hardship, such as:
- Being over 70 years old.
- Having actually served on a jury within the past two years.
- Being an active volunteer emergency responder.
If you have another circumstance that makes service genuinely impossible (such as caring for a child as a sole parent, or an urgent medical situation), contact the federal court clerk's office listed on your summons letter directly to explain your situation and request a formal postponement — instead of ignoring the summons entirely.
What happens if you ignore an official summons
Ignoring an official jury summons is a serious matter you should never do without any formal response. If you have a valid reason preventing you from attending, don't ignore the letter — call or write to the court clerk's office listed on the summons itself and explain your situation clearly. Federal courts are usually flexible with genuine excuses that are formally reported, but completely ignoring the summons with no response at all is what can actually get you into legal trouble.
Protecting your job while you serve
This is a very common worry: "Will I lose my job if I'm out for days serving on a jury?" The answer: your employer is not allowed to fire, threaten, or pressure you because of federal jury service — this is explicitly protected under federal law (28 U.S.C. § 1875). If an employer violates this law, they're liable for lost-wage damages, court-ordered reinstatement, and a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation. Keep your official summons letter and show it to your employer as proof, and don't be afraid to report any threat or harassment you experience because of this legal duty.
Watch out: fake calls impersonating the court
This is a widespread scam that specifically targets people unfamiliar with official procedures. The usual pattern: a call or message claiming you "missed" a prior jury service, threatening an immediate fine or arrest unless you pay or give sensitive information (Social Security number, bank card details) right away.
If you get a call or message like this, don't provide any information, and contact your local federal court clerk's office directly to verify whether any claimed summons is genuine, or report the attempt to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
How the summons process actually works
It usually starts with a Juror Qualification Questionnaire that arrives by mail, asking basic information to verify you meet the requirements. If you pass this stage, you may later receive an actual summons with a date and time to appear at the courthouse. Showing up doesn't necessarily mean you'll be selected to serve on an actual case; many people who show up are dismissed the same day without being chosen for a jury, so appearing itself doesn't necessarily mean days of service ahead.
Do you get paid during service?
Yes, jurors are paid for each day of actual service, and may also be eligible for reimbursement of additional expenses like travel. This government pay is usually less than your normal daily wage, so check your own employer's policy; some employers pay the difference or your full salary during service as an internal policy beyond the legal minimum, and some don't, so ask your HR department early so you can plan financially.
A note specifically for Arab immigrants
"Adequate" English for jury service doesn't mean perfect fluency or a flawless accent; the standard is being able to reasonably follow and understand court proceedings. If you genuinely feel your English isn't sufficient to follow a complex case, you can say so honestly during jury selection (Voir Dire), the stage where the judge and attorneys ask questions to confirm you're a good fit for that specific case — and this won't be held against you. The goal is a jury that can actually understand the case accurately.
Common mistakes
- Completely ignoring an official summons letter instead of requesting a formal postponement or excuse if you have a reason.
- Paying or giving personal information in response to a sudden phone call claiming an instant fine.
- Not telling your employer early about an official summons, which can cause unnecessary workplace misunderstanding.
- Wrongly believing a green card holder can or must serve, when federal service is restricted to citizens only.
What to do next
If you're still preparing for naturalization, check our N-400 naturalization guide first. Once you have citizenship, remember that voting and jury duty are both part of the rights and responsibilities of new citizenship, so also see our guide to voting after naturalization. And if you're worried about how a summons might affect your job, check our workplace rights guide to understand your legal protections more broadly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to serve on a federal jury?
Yes. Federal jury service requires you to be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, a resident of the judicial district for at least one year, and able to adequately read, write, and understand English.
Who is permanently exempt from service?
Active military and National Guard members, full-time professional firefighters and police officers, and full-time elected or appointed government officials are permanently exempt from federal jury service.
Can I request an exemption or postponement for other reasons?
Yes, the court may excuse you based on genuine hardship, such as being over 70, having served on a jury within the past two years, or being a volunteer emergency responder.
What happens if I ignore a jury summons?
Ignoring an official summons is a serious legal matter you shouldn't do; instead of ignoring it, contact the federal court clerk's office listed on the summons itself to request a postponement or official excuse if you have a valid reason.
Can my employer fire me for serving on a jury?
No. Under federal law (28 U.S.C. § 1875), an employer is prohibited from firing, threatening, or intimidating any permanent employee because of federal jury service, and violations carry damages plus a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation.
Someone called claiming I 'missed jury duty' and demanding an immediate fine over the phone — is this real?
Almost certainly a scam. A real federal court contacts most prospective jurors by mail, and never asks for sensitive information or immediate payment by phone or email.
Official sources we reviewed
- U.S. Courts — Jury Service ↗
- U.S. Courts — Juror Qualifications, Exemptions, and Excuses ↗
- U.S. Courts — Juror Scams ↗
- Cornell Law — 28 U.S.C. § 1875 (employer protection for jury service) ↗