Arizona Jury Duty Laws: Pay, Exemptions and Employer Rules

Arizona sets the rules for state-court jury service in Title 21 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, starting with the qualifications in A.R.S. § 21-201 and the excuse grounds in A.R.S. § 21-202. The county pays jurors $12 for each day of attendance plus mileage (§ 21-221), and superior court trial jurors may apply to a state fund for $40 to $300 a day in lost earnings, subject to available money (§ 21-222).

Your employer may not fire or penalize you for serving, and may not require or ask you to use vacation, sick or annual leave for jury time (§ 21-236). A person who is at least 75 may ask in writing to be excused, and the court then excuses them; it is not automatic (§ 21-202(C)).

Information last verified on October 7, 2026. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This page covers trial and grand jury service in Arizona state courts (superior court and justice court). A summons from the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona follows federal law, summarized on our jury duty laws by state hub.

Do you have to go? The short answer

Yes, unless you are not qualified or the court excuses or postpones you. Arizona allows two postponements on request, a set of temporary excuses on "timely application to the court," and an excuse on request for anyone 75 or older (§§ 21-202, 21-336).

The Arizona Judicial Branch says you may ask to be excused through your summons or the local jury office, and that "Each request is reviewed individually" (Arizona Judicial Branch, Jury Service FAQ). To see which category might fit your situation before you respond, try our jury duty exemption checker.

Who can serve on a jury in Arizona

Under A.R.S. § 21-201, every grand and trial juror must be at least 18 and must:

• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Be a resident of the jurisdiction in which the juror is summoned to serve. A person whose name and address appear on the master jury list is presumed to be a resident.
• "Never have been convicted of a felony, unless the juror's civil rights have been restored."
• Not be currently adjudicated mentally incompetent or insane.

Section 21-201 does not list an English-language requirement. Instead, a person who cannot currently understand English may ask to be excused under § 21-202(B)(3), covered below.

How names are chosen

The judiciary explains that the list used to summon jurors "is created by combining the county's voter registration list and Arizona Department of Transportation records," and that "Arizona law does not allow people to volunteer for jury service" (Jury Service FAQ).

Felony convictions

Section 21-201 bars a person convicted of a felony unless that person's civil rights have been restored, so the bar can end. The Arizona Judicial Branch's FAQ says: "If the conviction was a first-time felony, and all terms of the sentence are completed (monies paid, probation, etc.) then civil rights and the right to sit on a jury are automatically restored. If the conviction was a second-time felony (or more), you must apply to have civil rights restored."

The statutes are narrower than "monies paid." A felony conviction suspends "The right to serve as a juror" (A.R.S. § 13-904(A)(3)). Under A.R.S. § 13-907(A), a person with no prior felony whose Arizona conviction ends with completed probation or an absolute discharge from prison automatically regains civil rights, including jury service, if the person pays all victim restitution imposed. A first offender convicted in another state or federal court must file an application, which the court shall grant without a hearing (§ 13-907(B)). After completing probation or receiving an absolute discharge, a person with a prior felony or unpaid victim restitution may apply to the superior court under § 13-908, and restoration is in the judge's discretion. If you have a felony conviction and a summons, ask the jury office on your summons how the rule applies to you.

Who is disqualified from a particular case

Some people are qualified in general but cannot sit on a specific case. Under § 21-211, witnesses in the action, people interested directly or indirectly in the matter, people related to a party within the fourth degree by blood or marriage, and people biased for or against a party are disqualified from that action.

Exemptions, excuses and postponements in Arizona

The excuse grounds in § 21-202 are not automatic exemptions. Arizona works through temporary excuses that a judge or jury commissioner grants on timely application, a discretionary good-cause excuse, an excuse on request at age 75, and postponements.

Medical excuses

To be excused under § 21-202(B)(1), the juror or the juror's personal representative must give the court or jury commissioner a medical statement from a licensed physician, physician assistant or registered nurse practitioner. If none is available, the statute allows a sworn statement from a professional caregiver that the court or jury commissioner accepts instead, and these documents are not public records.

Hardship excuses and what counts

The hardship ground in § 21-202(B)(4) is narrow. It covers situations where no substitute caregiver is available, where serving would cause costs that substantially affect the necessary daily living expenses of the juror or of people the juror employs or supports, or where serving would cause physical hardship resulting in illness or disease.

The statute is blunt about work: "Undue or extreme physical or financial hardship does not exist solely based on the fact that a prospective juror will be required to be absent from the prospective juror's place of employment." A person asking under this ground "shall provide the judge or jury commissioner with documentation that supports the request to be excused, such as federal and state income tax returns, payroll records, medical statements ... proof of dependency or guardianship or other similar documents." You must also take the steps needed to get a ruling before your scheduled date.

Separately, § 21-202(B)(6) lets a judge or jury commissioner excuse a person "for good cause based on a showing of undue or extreme hardship under the circumstances, including being temporarily absent from the jurisdiction or a lack of transportation." That one is a matter of the court's discretion.

Your job is usually not an excuse

The judiciary's FAQ says court staff cannot excuse jurors based on what they do for a living, except peace officers who meet Title 21's requirements, and that moral or religious beliefs are not an excuse (Jury Service FAQ). Section 21-202 also covers state Department of Corrections employees in the correctional officer class series.

Temporary versus permanent excuses

Most Arizona excuses are temporary. When a temporary excuse expires, the person is eligible to be summoned again. Under § 21-202(E), "A person may be permanently excused only if the deciding judge or jury commissioner determines that the underlying grounds for being excused are permanent in nature" or the person is permanently excused under the age-75 rule, and the person must be notified.

Age: the 75-and-older excuse

"Notwithstanding subsection B of this section, a prospective juror who is at least seventy-five years of age may submit a written statement to the court requesting that the person be excused from service. The prospective juror may request to be excused temporarily or permanently. On receipt of the request, the judge or jury commissioner shall excuse the prospective juror from service" (§ 21-202(C)).

So the excuse is yours for the asking, but you must ask; no age removes you from the jury pool automatically. The judiciary's FAQ says to mark that option on the summons and return it. The minimum age to serve is 18.

Military service members

Section 21-202 does not list military service as its own excuse ground. Separately, A.R.S. § 26-166(C) says a member of the National Guard "while on active duty shall not be liable for jury duty." Federal law also says an active-duty member of the armed forces may not be required to serve on a state or local jury if the member's branch Secretary determines that service would unreasonably interfere with military duties or adversely affect unit readiness, and that determination is conclusive (10 U.S.C. § 982). It is a determination by the Secretary, not an automatic exemption, so ask your command if it applies to you.

Postponing your jury date

Under § 21-336, "Persons who are scheduled to appear for jury service may postpone the date of their initial appearance for jury service two times only." You can ask in person, by phone or email, or in writing, and the new date must be one when the court is in session, within a period the jury commissioner sets.

After that, a jury commissioner may approve another postponement "only in the event of an extreme emergency that could not have been anticipated at the time the initial postponement was granted," and you may be resummoned at the commissioner's discretion. Maricopa County Superior Court says its online response offers postponements of 60 or 90 days (Maricopa County Superior Court, Jury Service).

Small employers get one more protection. Under § 21-236(D), a court shall postpone and reschedule a summoned juror whose employer has five or fewer full-time employees, or their equivalent, if another employee of that employer is serving as a juror during the same period. The statute says this postponement does not affect your own postponement rights under § 21-336, so tell the jury office if it applies to you.

How much does jury duty pay in Arizona?

Under A.R.S. § 21-221, each juror is paid by the county "For each day's attendance upon the superior court or justice court, twelve dollars," plus an amount for each mile necessarily traveled from home to court and back equal to the mileage paid to state officers and employees under § 38-623(A).

The $12 figure applies statewide, and § 21-221 has no higher tier for long trials. Maricopa County Superior Court says selected jurors receive "$12.00 per day plus mileage," calculated "from the middle of your home zip code to the courthouse," at a rate that is "currently $0.67 per mile" (Maricopa County Superior Court, Juror Compensation). That mileage figure is Maricopa's statement; we did not confirm the current state rate ourselves, and we did not check other counties' pay pages.

The judiciary's FAQ adds that "Courts differ in how often they compensate jurors for jury service (daily, weekly, or bi-weekly)." Maricopa says it mails checks twice a month.

The Fair Jury Improvement Fund (lost-wage replacement)

Under § 21-222, subject to available money, the fund pays "full or partial earnings replacement or supplementation to jurors who serve as petit jurors in the superior court and who receive less than full compensation," in an amount of "at least $40 but not more than $300 per day per juror beginning on the first day of jury service."

The payment covers the gap between what you normally earn and what you receive, after counting anything your employer pays. To apply, you need your employer's verification of earnings or, if you are self-employed, a sworn affidavit (§ 21-222(D)). Unemployed jurors who are not eligible under those provisions may be paid $40 a day (§ 21-222(E)).

Maricopa County calls this the Arizona Jury Fund and says applicants have "30 days from the conclusion of the trial to submit a claim form" (Maricopa County Superior Court, Arizona Jury Fund). Ask your county's jury office for its form and deadline. The fund was renamed by Laws 2025, ch. 55 (SB 1006), and § 21-222 is currently scheduled for repeal on July 1, 2031.

Arizona employer rules for jury duty

Your job is protected

A.R.S. § 21-236(B) says: "An employer shall not refuse to permit an employee to serve as a juror. No employer may dismiss or in any way penalize any employee because the employee serves as a grand or trial juror."

You also keep your place. Under § 21-236(C), "An employee shall not lose seniority or precedence while absent from employment due to serving as a member of a grand or trial jury," and on return you must be put back in your previous position or a higher one "commensurate with the employee's ability and experience as seniority or precedence would ordinarily entitle the employee."

Section 21-236 states no minimum employer size and no condition that you give your employer notice. Telling your employer as soon as the summons arrives is still the practical way to avoid a dispute.

You cannot be made to use vacation or sick leave

Under § 21-236(A), "An employer shall not require or request an employee to use annual, vacation or sick leave for time spent responding to a summons for jury duty, participating in the jury selection process or actually serving on a jury." The section does not require an employer to give leave to employees who are not otherwise entitled to it.

Does your employer have to pay you?

No, not under Arizona's jury statute. Section 21-236(B) states: "An employer is not required to compensate an employee when the employee is absent from employment because of jury service." That is why the Fair Jury Improvement Fund exists. Arizona state employees covered by the State Personnel System receive paid civic duty leave while serving as jurors on substantiated application, generally must report to work when the court does not need them, and remit juror fees other than mileage to their agency (Ariz. Admin. Code R2-5A-B606). School and local government employees should check their employer's policy.

If your employer violates the law

"A person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor" (§ 21-236(E)). Section 21-236 itself states only that criminal penalty. Separately, Arizona's employment statute gives an employee a claim against an employer who fires them in retaliation for "Service on a jury as protected by section 21-236" (A.R.S. § 23-1501(A)(3)(c)(iv)), and a lawsuit for damages for wrongful termination must be filed within one year (A.R.S. § 12-541(4)). That claim covers firing; if you were fired or otherwise penalized over jury service, talk to an Arizona employment lawyer promptly. For how this rule fits with other limits on firing, see our page on Arizona at-will employment laws.

What happens if you miss jury duty in Arizona

Arizona sends a second summons before any fine or body attachment. Under § 21-331(D), a person who fails to appear after a summons sent by first-class mail is resummoned and is not subject to a body attachment or fine unless they also fail to appear in response to that second summons.

If you ignore the second summons, § 21-223 applies: "If the person fails to respond to a second summons the court may issue a body attachment as for a direct contempt of the court. The person may be fined an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars and may be compelled to attend for jury service on another date." Section 21-223 also makes it unlawful to willfully fail to attend, without reasonable excuse, after not obtaining a postponement or excuse.

A fine does not end your obligation: the court may still order you to serve on a new date. If you missed your date, contact the jury office on your summons right away.

The jury questionnaire

Answer the juror questionnaire truthfully. The jury commissioner "may investigate the accuracy of the answers to the questionnaire and may call on law enforcement agencies and the county attorney for assistance in an investigation" (§ 21-314), and may subpoena a person to testify under oath about qualifications (§ 21-315).

Answers have consequences beyond jury service. A questionnaire answer that you are not a citizen or not a resident leads to cancellation of your voter registration, and a summons returned as undeliverable triggers a notice to the county recorder and can move you to the inactive voter list (§§ 21-314, 21-331).

How long jury duty lasts in Arizona

Arizona uses a one-trial or one-day rule. Under § 21-332, your obligation is fulfilled when you do any one of these:

1. Serve on one trial until excused or discharged.
2. Appear at court but are not assigned to a trial division for jury selection before the end of that day.
3. Are assigned on one day to one or more trial divisions for jury selection and serve through the end of selection or are excused.
4. Follow a request to call the court or check its website about whether to report, for four days within a 30-day period.
5. Give the court a valid phone number and stand ready to serve the same day, for two days.

A county can get an exemption from these rules from the Arizona Supreme Court for up to one year. The judiciary's FAQ says trials usually end within three to five days.

How often you can be called

"A juror who has been summoned and selected to serve on a jury in this state is not required to serve again as a juror in any court in this state for two years following the last day of the juror's service" (§ 21-335). That statute covers jurors who were selected. A county's presiding judge may apply to the Supreme Court for an exemption from this two-year rule for a period of up to one year (§ 21-335(B)). The judiciary's FAQ says people who appeared but were not chosen are exempt for a period the jury commissioner sets, generally one to two years, which is a court practice rather than a statute. A grand juror may ask to be excused if summoned within four years after grand jury service (§ 21-202(B)(7)).

How to respond to an Arizona jury summons

Each county's jury office runs jury service, so the summons in your hand is the controlling document. We did not find a single statewide juror response portal on the Arizona Judicial Branch website, which points readers to the summons and the local jury office. The steps that apply statewide:

1. Read your summons for the court, your report date and the response instructions.
2. If you want to postpone, ask using the method on the summons; you get two postponements on request (§ 21-336).
3. If you are 75 or older and want to be excused, mark that option on the summons and return it, or send a written statement (§ 21-202(C)).
4. For a medical, hardship or other excuse, apply before your date with the documents the statute and your summons ask for, and wait for a ruling (§ 21-202(B)).
5. Treat your report date as firm until the court confirms its decision.

In Maricopa County, the state's largest, you can respond and request a postponement online through the Superior Court's jury page, or call the Jury Office at 602-506-5879.

Watch for jury duty scam calls

Maricopa County Superior Court warns of callers who claim a warrant has been issued for missing jury service and demand a fine paid by cash or prepaid card. The court's Jury Scam Notice says: "This is a scam. If you feel you are being targeted for this scam, write down the phone number the person is calling from and hang up. DO NOT give the caller any personal information about yourself or agree to provide any money." The court adds that fines for missing jury duty "can only be ordered by a judge in court" and not over the phone (Maricopa County Superior Court press release).

To check your real status in Maricopa County, call the Jury Office at 602-506-5879; elsewhere, use the number printed on your summons. Our guide to government impersonation scams explains how these schemes work, and our page on Arizona scam and fraud laws covers where to report.

Disclaimer: This page is general legal information about Arizona jury service, not legal advice. The court that summoned you decides every excuse and postponement request. Information verified October 7, 2026. For questions about your summons, contact the jury office listed on it; for an employment dispute, consult a lawyer licensed in Arizona.

Related pages

• Jury duty laws by state
• Arizona at-will employment laws
• Arizona court records
• Arizona scam and fraud laws

Last updated: October 7, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does jury duty pay in Arizona?

Arizona counties pay $12 for each day of attendance plus mileage at the state-employee rate, and a juror excused on the first day receives mileage only (A.R.S. § 21-221). Superior court trial jurors who receive less than full pay may also apply to the Fair Jury Improvement Fund for $40 to $300 a day, subject to available money (§ 21-222).

Can I get out of jury duty in Arizona if I am over 75?

A person who is at least 75 may submit a written statement asking to be excused temporarily or permanently, and the judge or jury commissioner shall excuse them (A.R.S. § 21-202(C)). It is not automatic; you must ask, for example by marking that option on the summons.

Does my employer have to pay me for jury duty in Arizona?

Arizona's jury statute does not require it: A.R.S. § 21-236(B) says an employer is not required to compensate an employee absent for jury service. Your employer also cannot require or request that you use vacation or sick leave. State employees covered by the State Personnel System receive paid civic duty leave while serving as jurors (Ariz. Admin. Code R2-5A-B606); school and local government employees should check their own leave rules.

Can I be fired for jury duty in Arizona?

No. Under A.R.S. § 21-236, an employer may not refuse to let you serve, dismiss you or penalize you in any way because you serve as a juror, and you keep your seniority. A violation is a class 3 misdemeanor. If you are fired in retaliation for jury service, A.R.S. § 23-1501(A)(3)(c)(iv) gives you a claim against the employer, and a lawsuit for damages for wrongful termination must be filed within one year (A.R.S. § 12-541(4)).

What happens if I ignore a jury summons in Arizona?

You are first sent a second summons. If you fail to respond to that one, the court may issue a body attachment as for direct contempt, fine you up to $500 and order you to serve on another date (A.R.S. §§ 21-331(D), 21-223).

How many times can I postpone jury duty in Arizona?

Two times, on request, to a date when the court is in session within a period the jury commissioner sets (A.R.S. § 21-336). Any further postponement requires an extreme emergency that could not have been anticipated.

Does missing work get me excused from jury duty in Arizona?

Not by itself. A.R.S. § 21-202(B)(4) says hardship does not exist solely because you will miss work; you must show a qualifying caregiver, financial or physical hardship and provide documents such as tax returns or payroll records.

How long is jury duty in Arizona?

Arizona uses a one-trial or one-day rule: your obligation ends when you serve one trial, or appear for a day without being assigned to jury selection, among the other options in A.R.S. § 21-332. A selected juror does not have to serve again in any Arizona court for two years (§ 21-335).

Can a felon serve on a jury in Arizona?

A.R.S. § 21-201 bars a person convicted of a felony unless that person's civil rights have been restored. The Arizona Judicial Branch says rights are restored automatically after a first-time felony. Under A.R.S. § 13-907, that applies to an Arizona conviction once probation or the prison term is completed and all victim restitution is paid; a second or later felony requires an application that a judge decides (A.R.S. § 13-908).