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Jury Duty in California

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

Short answer: California has no exemption based on age; jurors must be at least 18, and someone who served on a jury in the last 12 months is not qualified to serve again. Judicial Branch of California, Jury Service

Who can be excused from jury dutyCalifornia has no exemption based on age; jurors must be at least 18, and someone who served on a jury in the last 12 months is not qualified to serve again. A juror may ask to be excused for hardship: no transportation, excessive travel distance, a physical or mental impairment, caring for a dependent when no one else can, or extreme financial burden. People with a serious health problem may be excused or postpone (a doctor's note may be required, and disabled people may request a permanent medical excuse), and a breastfeeding mother may postpone for up to one year. To ask, mark the right category on the summons response form and return it to the court right away, or follow the summons instructions to postpone; you may still have to appear before a judge.
Judicial Branch of California, official Jury Service page. Statute text (Code Civ. Proc. jury sections, Gov.
Source: Judicial Branch of California, Jury Service
Penalty for skipping jury dutyAnyone who fails to respond to a jury summons when required may be fined up to $1,500, jailed, or both.
Judicial Branch of California, official Jury Service page. Statute text (Code Civ. Proc. jury sections, Gov.
Source: Judicial Branch of California, Jury Service
Jury duty pay and your jobCalifornia employers must allow employees time off for jury service, and employees are protected from being fired or harassed for serving; the court's jury page points to Government Code section 12945.8 for this protection, and to Education Code provisions for teachers and school employees. Jurors are paid $15 per day starting on the second day of service, plus at least 34 cents per mile each way from the second day, or up to $12 for public transit starting on the first day. Government employees receive their full pay and benefits from their employers instead of juror pay.
Judicial Branch of California, official Jury Service page. Statute text (Code Civ. Proc. jury sections, Gov.
Source: Judicial Branch of California, Jury Service

More California criminal law

FAQ

Who is exempt from jury duty in California?
California has no exemption based on age; jurors must be at least 18, and someone who served on a jury in the last 12 months is not qualified to serve again. A juror may ask to be excused for hardship: no transportation, excessive travel distance, a physical or mental impairment, caring for a dependent when no one else can, or extreme financial burden. People with a serious health problem may be excused or postpone (a doctor's note may be required, and disabled people may request a permanent medical excuse), and a breastfeeding mother may postpone for up to one year. To ask, mark the right category on the summons response form and return it to the court right away, or follow the summons instructions to postpone; you may still have to appear before a judge.
What happens if you miss jury duty in California?
Anyone who fails to respond to a jury summons when required may be fined up to $1,500, jailed, or both.
Does your employer have to let you serve on a jury in California?
California employers must allow employees time off for jury service, and employees are protected from being fired or harassed for serving; the court's jury page points to Government Code section 12945.8 for this protection, and to Education Code provisions for teachers and school employees. Jurors are paid $15 per day starting on the second day of service, plus at least 34 cents per mile each way from the second day, or up to $12 for public transit starting on the first day. Government employees receive their full pay and benefits from their employers instead of juror pay.

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.