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Jury Duty in Arkansas

Who can be excused from jury duty in Arkansas, what happens if you skip it, juror pay, and whether your employer must let you serve.

Short answer: A person 80 or older may choose to exempt themselves from, or decline, jury service at any time. A court may excuse or defer anyone summoned when their own health or their family's health reasonably requires their absence, or when the court believes the person's own interests or the… Ark. Code Ann. § 16-31-103 (secondary source: public copy of the state code; check the official code)

Who can be excused from jury dutyA person 80 or older may choose to exempt themselves from, or decline, jury service at any time. A court may excuse or defer anyone summoned when their own health or their family's health reasonably requires their absence, or when the court believes the person's own interests or the public's interests would be materially harmed by their attendance; the court sets how long the excuse lasts or the later term of service. Members of the General Assembly are entitled to defer service summoned within 30 days before or during a legislative session until 30 days after adjournment.
Read on codes.findlaw.com (a public copy of the official code); check against the official code. Page marked current as of March 28, 2024;
Source: Ark. Code Ann. § 16-31-103 (secondary source: public copy of the state code; check the official code)
Jury duty pay and your jobAn Arkansas employer may not fire an employee, take away sick or vacation leave, or impose any other penalty because the employee is absent from work for jury duty, as long as the employee gives the employer reasonable notice of the summons. Violating this law is a Class A misdemeanor. The statute does not require employers to pay wages during jury service.
Read on codes.findlaw.com (a public copy of the official code); check against the official code. Page marked current as of March 28, 2024;
Source: Ark. Code Ann. § 16-31-106 (secondary source: public copy of the state code; check the official code)

More Arkansas criminal law

FAQ

Who is exempt from jury duty in Arkansas?
A person 80 or older may choose to exempt themselves from, or decline, jury service at any time. A court may excuse or defer anyone summoned when their own health or their family's health reasonably requires their absence, or when the court believes the person's own interests or the public's interests would be materially harmed by their attendance; the court sets how long the excuse lasts or the later term of service. Members of the General Assembly are entitled to defer service summoned within 30 days before or during a legislative session until 30 days after adjournment.
Does your employer have to let you serve on a jury in Arkansas?
An Arkansas employer may not fire an employee, take away sick or vacation leave, or impose any other penalty because the employee is absent from work for jury duty, as long as the employee gives the employer reasonable notice of the summons. Violating this law is a Class A misdemeanor. The statute does not require employers to pay wages during jury service.

Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.

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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.