Jury Duty in New York

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

Short answer: The commissioner of jurors may excuse a prospective juror or postpone service on the juror's application; N.Y. Judiciary Law §§ 517, 524

Who can be excused from jury duty	The commissioner of jurors may excuse a prospective juror or postpone service on the juror's application; a breastfeeding mother who submits a physician's or nurse practitioner's note must be excused or postponed (Judiciary Law § 517(a)). A first postponement can be to a date the juror picks within six months, and an initial postponement may be requested by telephone. If the commissioner denies the request, the person may apply to the court. Excuses are granted for a mental or physical condition that makes the person incapable of serving, or for undue hardship or extreme inconvenience to the person, someone in their care, or the public (§ 517(b)-(c)). After serving, a person is not required to serve again for six years (eight years after more than ten days of service), or half that period on request (§ 524). Recent service: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/JUD/524 Source: N.Y. Judiciary Law §§ 517, 524
Penalty for skipping jury duty	If you fail to return a juror questionnaire or fail to attend after being summoned, the commissioner of jurors may start a noncompliance proceeding and the court may impose a civil penalty not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250) and set a new date for your jury service (Judiciary Law § 527). A penalty requires proof that you received the summons and a notice of noncompliance; an unpaid penalty can become a civil judgment. Failing to obey the court's order can bring other criminal or civil penalties. Source: N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527
Jury duty pay and your job	An employee summoned for jury duty who notifies the employer before service starts may not be fired or penalized for the absence. Employers may withhold wages during jury service, but an employer with more than ten employees may not withhold the first seventy-two dollars of the juror's daily wages for the first three days. A violation is criminal contempt of court (Judiciary Law § 519). Jurors are paid seventy-two dollars per day of attendance, except employed jurors whose employer must pay those wages and who earn at least $72 a day (§ 521). Juror pay: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/JUD/521 Source: N.Y. Judiciary Law §§ 519, 521

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FAQ

Who is exempt from jury duty in New York?

The commissioner of jurors may excuse a prospective juror or postpone service on the juror's application; a breastfeeding mother who submits a physician's or nurse practitioner's note must be excused or postponed (Judiciary Law § 517(a)). A first postponement can be to a date the juror picks within six months, and an initial postponement may be requested by telephone. If the commissioner denies the request, the person may apply to the court. Excuses are granted for a mental or physical condition that makes the person incapable of serving, or for undue hardship or extreme inconvenience to the person, someone in their care, or the public (§ 517(b)-(c)). After serving, a person is not required to serve again for six years (eight years after more than ten days of service), or half that period on request (§ 524).

What happens if you miss jury duty in New York?

If you fail to return a juror questionnaire or fail to attend after being summoned, the commissioner of jurors may start a noncompliance proceeding and the court may impose a civil penalty not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250) and set a new date for your jury service (Judiciary Law § 527). A penalty requires proof that you received the summons and a notice of noncompliance; an unpaid penalty can become a civil judgment. Failing to obey the court's order can bring other criminal or civil penalties.

Does your employer have to let you serve on a jury in New York?

An employee summoned for jury duty who notifies the employer before service starts may not be fired or penalized for the absence. Employers may withhold wages during jury service, but an employer with more than ten employees may not withhold the first seventy-two dollars of the juror's daily wages for the first three days. A violation is criminal contempt of court (Judiciary Law § 519). Jurors are paid seventy-two dollars per day of attendance, except employed jurors whose employer must pay those wages and who earn at least $72 a day (§ 521).

Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.

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