All Laws Decoded

Jury Duty in Kansas

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

Short answer: Kansas excuses from jury service anyone who served as a juror in the same county within the past year, a mother who is breastfeeding (her service is postponed until she stops), people who cannot understand English well enough to answer the jury questionnaire, people judged incompetent… K.S.A. 43-158, 43-159

Who can be excused from jury dutyKansas excuses from jury service anyone who served as a juror in the same county within the past year, a mother who is breastfeeding (her service is postponed until she stops), people who cannot understand English well enough to answer the jury questionnaire, people judged incompetent, and people convicted of a felony within the past 10 years. A court may also excuse people too physically or mentally infirm to serve, people needed elsewhere for public welfare, health or safety, and people for whom service would cause extraordinary or compelling personal hardship. Requests go to the court that sent the summons.
Source: K.S.A. 43-158, 43-159
Penalty for skipping jury dutyIf you are summoned for jury duty in Kansas and do not show up without a reason the court accepts, the court can fine you up to $100 for each day of unexcused absence. Courts may also enforce their jury rules by attachment and a fine of up to $100.
Source: K.S.A. 43-165
Jury duty pay and your jobKansas employers may not fire or threaten to fire a permanent employee because of jury service. An employer who does is liable for lost wages, actual damages and benefits, must reinstate the employee without loss of seniority, and can be ordered to stop; a winning employee may get attorney fees. The lawsuit must be filed within 1 year after the firing or threat. Jurors are paid by the county $10 to $50 per day (set by the county commission) plus mileage.
Source: K.S.A. 43-173, 43-171, 60-514(d)

More Kansas criminal law

FAQ

Who is exempt from jury duty in Kansas?
Kansas excuses from jury service anyone who served as a juror in the same county within the past year, a mother who is breastfeeding (her service is postponed until she stops), people who cannot understand English well enough to answer the jury questionnaire, people judged incompetent, and people convicted of a felony within the past 10 years. A court may also excuse people too physically or mentally infirm to serve, people needed elsewhere for public welfare, health or safety, and people for whom service would cause extraordinary or compelling personal hardship. Requests go to the court that sent the summons.
What happens if you miss jury duty in Kansas?
If you are summoned for jury duty in Kansas and do not show up without a reason the court accepts, the court can fine you up to $100 for each day of unexcused absence. Courts may also enforce their jury rules by attachment and a fine of up to $100.
Does your employer have to let you serve on a jury in Kansas?
Kansas employers may not fire or threaten to fire a permanent employee because of jury service. An employer who does is liable for lost wages, actual damages and benefits, must reinstate the employee without loss of seniority, and can be ordered to stop; a winning employee may get attorney fees. The lawsuit must be filed within 1 year after the firing or threat. Jurors are paid by the county $10 to $50 per day (set by the county commission) plus mileage.

Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.

How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources

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.