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Jury Duty in Kentucky

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

Short answer: In Kentucky, a person 70 or older may ask on the juror qualification form to be excused for the period summoned, and a judge may grant a permanent exemption for a permanent medical condition that makes service impossible. KRS 29A.080(2)(h), (3); 29A.100; 29A.130

Who can be excused from jury dutyIn Kentucky, a person 70 or older may ask on the juror qualification form to be excused for the period summoned, and a judge may grant a permanent exemption for a permanent medical condition that makes service impossible. A judge must excuse a mother who is breastfeeding or expressing breast milk until she stops. A judge may excuse or postpone service (up to 24 months) for undue hardship, extreme inconvenience or public necessity; requests can be made to the Chief Circuit Judge or court staff before assignment, or heard on the day jurors report. No one has to serve more than 30 court days as a trial juror, or on more than one grand jury, in any 24-month period.
Source: KRS 29A.080(2)(h), (3); 29A.100; 29A.130
Penalty for skipping jury dutyIf you are summoned for jury service in Kentucky and fail to appear, the court will order you to come in right away and explain why. If you cannot show good cause, you may be punished for contempt of court; a juror who leaves or fails to finish service without the court's permission can also be held in contempt.
Source: KRS 29A.150
Jury duty pay and your jobKentucky employers may not fire, threaten or pressure an employee because the employee gets a jury summons, responds to it, serves or attends court for jury selection. A fired employee may sue within 90 days for lost wages and reinstatement with full seniority and benefits, plus attorney's fees if successful, and an employer who violates the law commits a Class B misdemeanor (up to 90 days in jail and a $250 fine). Jurors are paid $5 per day plus $7.50 per day for expenses.
Source: KRS 29A.160; 29A.990(1); 29A.170; 532.090; 534.040

More Kentucky criminal law

FAQ

Who is exempt from jury duty in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, a person 70 or older may ask on the juror qualification form to be excused for the period summoned, and a judge may grant a permanent exemption for a permanent medical condition that makes service impossible. A judge must excuse a mother who is breastfeeding or expressing breast milk until she stops. A judge may excuse or postpone service (up to 24 months) for undue hardship, extreme inconvenience or public necessity; requests can be made to the Chief Circuit Judge or court staff before assignment, or heard on the day jurors report. No one has to serve more than 30 court days as a trial juror, or on more than one grand jury, in any 24-month period.
What happens if you miss jury duty in Kentucky?
If you are summoned for jury service in Kentucky and fail to appear, the court will order you to come in right away and explain why. If you cannot show good cause, you may be punished for contempt of court; a juror who leaves or fails to finish service without the court's permission can also be held in contempt.
Does your employer have to let you serve on a jury in Kentucky?
Kentucky employers may not fire, threaten or pressure an employee because the employee gets a jury summons, responds to it, serves or attends court for jury selection. A fired employee may sue within 90 days for lost wages and reinstatement with full seniority and benefits, plus attorney's fees if successful, and an employer who violates the law commits a Class B misdemeanor (up to 90 days in jail and a $250 fine). Jurors are paid $5 per day plus $7.50 per day for expenses.

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.