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Jury Duty in Maryland

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

Short answer: A person is exempt from jury service only if he or she is at least 70 and asks the jury commissioner in writing, is an elected member of the federal Legislative Branch, is an active-duty armed forces member exempted under federal law, or is an organized-militia member exempted under… Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §§8-306, 8-310(c)(2)

Who can be excused from jury dutyA person is exempt from jury service only if he or she is at least 70 and asks the jury commissioner in writing, is an elected member of the federal Legislative Branch, is an active-duty armed forces member exempted under federal law, or is an organized-militia member exempted under state law. Except as a jury plan allows or to finish a case, a person may not be required to serve or attend court for jury service more than once in any 3-year period. Other excuses or rescheduling are handled by the local jury commissioner.
Source: Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §§8-306, 8-310(c)(2)
Penalty for skipping jury dutyFailing to appear for jury service as summoned can lead a jury judge to order you to show cause; without good cause you face a fine up to $1,000, up to 60 days in jail, or both. Failing to complete jury service as directed carries up to $1,000 and/or 90 days, and failing to return the juror qualification form carries up to $1,000 and/or 30 days.
Source: Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §§8-503, 8-504, 8-505
Jury duty pay and your jobAn employer may not fire, coerce, intimidate or threaten to fire an employee for losing work time to answer a jury summons or serve. An employee who appears for 4 or more hours (including travel) cannot be required to work a shift starting at or after 5 p.m. that day or before 3 a.m. the next day. An employer also may not require the employee to use annual, sick or vacation leave for jury service. Each violation is subject to a fine up to $1,000. The statutes read do not require the employer to pay wages during service.
Source: Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §§8-501, 8-502

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FAQ

Who is exempt from jury duty in Maryland?
A person is exempt from jury service only if he or she is at least 70 and asks the jury commissioner in writing, is an elected member of the federal Legislative Branch, is an active-duty armed forces member exempted under federal law, or is an organized-militia member exempted under state law. Except as a jury plan allows or to finish a case, a person may not be required to serve or attend court for jury service more than once in any 3-year period. Other excuses or rescheduling are handled by the local jury commissioner.
What happens if you miss jury duty in Maryland?
Failing to appear for jury service as summoned can lead a jury judge to order you to show cause; without good cause you face a fine up to $1,000, up to 60 days in jail, or both. Failing to complete jury service as directed carries up to $1,000 and/or 90 days, and failing to return the juror qualification form carries up to $1,000 and/or 30 days.
Does your employer have to let you serve on a jury in Maryland?
An employer may not fire, coerce, intimidate or threaten to fire an employee for losing work time to answer a jury summons or serve. An employee who appears for 4 or more hours (including travel) cannot be required to work a shift starting at or after 5 p.m. that day or before 3 a.m. the next day. An employer also may not require the employee to use annual, sick or vacation leave for jury service. Each violation is subject to a fine up to $1,000. The statutes read do not require the employer to pay wages during 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.