Arkansas Jury Duty Laws: Pay, Exemptions and Employer Rules (2026)

Arkansas state-court jury service is governed by chapters 31, 32 and 34 of Title 16 of the Arkansas Code. The qualifications are in Ark. Code § 16-31-101, and excuses, deferrals and an opt-out for people 80 and older are in § 16-31-103. A juror seated on a grand or petit jury is paid $50 a day, and a person who reports but is excused or not seated gets at least $15 a day, as set by the county (§ 16-34-103).

Once you give your employer reasonable notice of the summons, you may not be fired or lose sick leave or vacation time because of jury duty (§ 16-31-106). Arkansas's jury statute does not require private employers to keep paying you while you serve.

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

Jurisdiction scope: This page covers jury service in Arkansas state (circuit) courts. A summons from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern or Western District of Arkansas follows federal law, summarized on our jury duty laws by state hub.

Do you have to serve? The short answer

If you are qualified and the court has not excused or deferred you, yes. The jury chapter has few automatic outs. Apart from the disqualifications in § 16-31-102 and the choice given to people 80 and older, almost every request goes to the judge, who decides whether your health, your family's health, or a material injury to your interests justifies an excuse or a later date.

The Arkansas Judiciary tells jurors: "You must appear in person in the courtroom unless the court has excused you." To sort out which route might fit your situation before you contact the court, try our jury duty exemption checker.

Who can serve on a jury in Arkansas

Under Ark. Code § 16-31-101, a person is legally qualified to serve as a grand or petit juror if the person is a U.S. citizen, a resident of Arkansas and of the county that issued the summons, and a registered voter. In counties that use an enhanced prospective jury list, licensed drivers and people issued a state identification card also qualify. The section sets no minimum length of residence.

Who is disqualified

Ark. Code § 16-31-102(a) disqualifies these people from serving as grand or petit jurors:

• People who do not meet the qualifications in § 16-31-101.
• People unable to speak or understand English.
• People unable to read or write English, although the circuit judge may waive this when the person is otherwise capable of performing a juror's duties.
• People convicted of a felony who have not been pardoned.
• People who are not of good character or approved integrity, who lack sound judgment or reasonable information, who are intemperate, or who are not of good behavior.
• People who, because of a physical or mental disability, cannot render satisfactory jury service. The statute adds that "no person shall be disqualified solely on the basis of loss of hearing or sight in any degree."
• People under 18 at the time they are required to appear.

For a particular case, § 16-31-102(b) also keeps a person off the petit jury, except by consent of all parties, if the person is related to a party or attorney within the fourth degree, is a witness in the case, has formed or expressed an opinion that may influence his or her judgment, has a material interest in the outcome, is biased, or was a petit juror in an earlier trial of the case or of another case involving the same questions of fact. The court can still strike a juror for cause.

Felony convictions

The jury statute's felony rule is short: it disqualifies "Persons who have been convicted of a felony and have not been pardoned." The jury statute itself makes no exception for having finished a sentence. Separately, Arkansas's record-sealing law says a person whose record has been sealed under that law "shall have all privileges and rights restored," and that the sealed record does not affect his or her civil rights or liberties "unless otherwise specifically provided by law." It also treats the underlying conduct as a matter of law never to have occurred, and it singles out only voting and firearms rights (Ark. Code § 16-90-1417). Sealing is not automatic, and our research did not find a court ruling applying § 16-90-1417 to jury service. If you have a felony record and receive a summons, answer the court's questions truthfully and ask the circuit clerk whether you are eligible.

Jurors who are Deaf, hard of hearing or visually impaired

Hearing or sight loss alone does not disqualify anyone. Under Ark. Code § 16-31-108(a), "The state, through the Administrative Office of the Courts, shall provide and pay the cost of reasonable accommodations for the Deaf, deaf, Hard of Hearing, and visually impaired when necessary to enable a person with those disabilities to act as a venireperson or juror." Tell the court that summoned you what you need.

Exemptions, excuses and postponements in Arkansas

Health, family and hardship excuses

Ark. Code § 16-31-103(b) lets a person be excused "for such period as the court deems necessary," or have service "deferred to another specified term of court," when "the state of his or her health or that of his or her family reasonably requires his or her absence, or when, for any reason, his or her own interests or those of the public will, in the opinion of the court, be materially injured by his or her attendance." Every one of these is the court's call.

The Arkansas Judiciary's juror guide describes how courts apply this: "An individual may be excused if the judge finds that either the juror's health or family responsibilities reasonably require his or her absence. The law does not allow a juror to be excused because of occupation or employment. A request must state the nature of your conflict or hardship" (Justice By Jury guide). A busy job, by itself, is not a ground the Judiciary recognizes.

Postponing (deferring) your service

The same subsection lets the court move your service to "another specified term of court." Section 16-31-103(b) sets no statewide limit on how many deferrals you may receive or how long one lasts, so the circuit court that summoned you decides.

The Judiciary says you "must request to be excused or to postpone your term of service as soon as you become aware of a conflict." Do not wait until the week you are due to report.

Age: an opt-out at 80

Ark. Code § 16-31-103(d) says: "A person who is eighty (80) years of age or older may voluntarily exempt himself or herself from or decline to participate in jury service at any time." It is not an automatic age-out. You can still serve if you want to, and the statute does not describe a procedure for opting out, so contact the court or circuit clerk named on your summons instead of simply not appearing.

A person under 80 has no age-based exemption under § 16-31-103, but can ask for an excuse or deferral on health grounds under § 16-31-103(b).

Military service members

The Arkansas jury sections our research covered (Ark. Code §§ 16-31-101 to 16-31-108) do not list an exemption for the military or the National Guard, and we did not review Arkansas law outside those sections for one. If you are in the Guard or reserves and your duty conflicts with your summons, raise it with the court as a hardship or deferral request under § 16-31-103(b).

Federal law separately 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 decision by the Secretary, not an automatic exemption.

How much does jury duty pay in Arkansas?

Arkansas sets a statewide figure for seated jurors and a floor for everyone else. Under Ark. Code § 16-34-103, you are paid only if you actually appear and the circuit clerk notes your appearance.

The statute sets no higher rate for long trials. The county pays jurors "from funds appropriated for that purpose by the quorum court," and the state reimburses counties for part of the cost (Ark. Code § 16-34-106).

We did not review individual county ordinances, so the exact amount for a person who is not seated, and whether mileage is paid at all, depends on your county. Your summons or the circuit clerk can tell you. If you prefer, Ark. Code § 16-34-107 lets you donate your per diem or mileage to an eligible nonprofit on a list kept by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Arkansas employer rules for jury duty

Job protection

Ark. Code § 16-31-106(a) says a person summoned for jury duty "shall not be subject to discharge from employment, loss of sick leave, loss of vacation time, or any other form of penalty as a result of his or her absence from employment due to jury duty, upon giving reasonable notice to his or her employer of the summons." A second sentence bars every employer from imposing those penalties on an employee absent "by reason of jury duty."

The section sets no minimum employer size and does not limit protection to full-time workers. It does make "reasonable notice" a condition, without defining a deadline or form, so give your employer a copy of the summons as soon as you receive it.

Does your employer have to pay you?

Arkansas's jury statute does not require private employers to pay your regular wages while you serve. Section 16-31-106 bars the loss of sick leave or vacation time as a penalty for jury absence, but it does not expressly say whether an employer may ask you to use paid leave for the days you serve. Check your employer's policy or any union contract.

Under federal wage rules, an employer that pays you as a salaried exempt employee generally cannot deduct jury-duty absences from your salary for a week in which you do any work, although it may offset the jury fees you receive (29 C.F.R. § 541.602(b)(3)).

Public employees

Two statutes outside the jury chapter protect government workers:

• No deduction of jury fees. Under Ark. Code § 21-5-104, "No state, county, or municipal employer in this state shall deduct from the usual compensation of any employee, all or any part of the fees or compensation received by the employee" for jury duty. A violating employer is guilty of a violation and fined $25 to $250, and the violation is grounds for dismissal from office or position.
• Full pay for state employees. Ark. Code § 21-4-213(a) says: "An employee serving as a juror in state or federal court shall be entitled to full compensation in addition to any fees paid for such services, and such services or necessary appearances in any court shall not be counted as annual leave." The state's personnel policy on jury service restates this (OPM Policy 58).

Our research did not confirm whether these rules reach school-district employees, so school employees should check their own district's leave rules.

If your employer punishes you

Under § 16-31-106(b), "Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor." The section does not itself state a right to sue for reinstatement or back pay, and the jury statute does not state a filing deadline; the general limitations statutes may set one for any claim you do have. If you were fired or penalized, talk to a lawyer licensed in Arkansas promptly. For how this fits with other limits on firing, see our page on Arkansas at-will employment laws.

What happens if you miss jury duty in Arkansas

Arkansas courts summon jurors by first-class mail, telephone or personal service. A mailed notice gives a date by which you must confirm receipt with the sheriff or the court, and the statutory form warns: "If you do not notify the sheriff [or the court] to confirm this notice, the sheriff [or the court] will contact you and there will be added cost" (Ark. Code § 16-32-106).

If you do not show up, § 16-32-106(d) provides that "Unless excused by the circuit judge, a juror who has been legally summoned and who shall fail to attend on any date when directed to do so may be fined in any sum not less than five dollars ($5.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500)." The same subsection preserves the court's inherent power to punish for contempt.

If you missed your date, call the circuit clerk or the court right away and explain why.

Answering questions truthfully

Under Ark. Code § 16-31-107, a verdict or indictment is not void just because a juror lacked a qualification, "unless a juror shall knowingly answer falsely any question on voir dire relating to his qualifications." A juror who knowingly fails to answer a question that would reveal a disqualification is treated as having answered falsely.

How long jury duty lasts in Arkansas

Ark. Code § 16-31-104(b) says: "No petit juror shall be required to report for jury duty on more than ten (10) days or for more than a four-month period during the calendar year for which he or she is selected." A juror already hearing a case when that period runs out serves until the trial ends, and your summons must describe these maximum periods.

After you are sworn onto a grand or petit jury, you are ineligible to serve on another jury in the same county for two years from the date the court or the law releases you (§ 16-31-104(a)).

One practical point: under Ark. Code § 16-31-105, a person engaged in actual service as a juror in any state or federal court in Arkansas cannot be fined for overtime parking. Ask the clerk of court for the certificate that shows you were serving.

How to respond to an Arkansas jury summons

Each county's circuit court runs its own jury process, and our research found no statewide online juror or excusal portal on the Arkansas Judiciary site. The Judiciary's Jury Service page and Justice By Jury guide explain the process in general terms.

1. Read your summons for the date by which you must confirm receipt, and confirm it with the sheriff or court named on it.
2. If you need an excuse or a later date, contact the circuit court that issued the summons as soon as you know about the conflict, and state the nature of your conflict or hardship.
3. If you are 80 or older and choose not to serve, tell the court or circuit clerk; do not just skip your date.
4. Treat your report date as firm until the court tells you that you have been excused or deferred.

If someone calls claiming you missed jury duty and demands payment, read our guide to government impersonation scams before you do anything. The summons process in § 16-32-106 runs through the sheriff or the court.

Recent changes to Arkansas jury law

The statute text on this page comes from the 2025 Arkansas Code as compiled on Justia. Justia notes that its compilation may not reflect the most recent version, so we checked for later changes against the Arkansas Legislature's index of amended code sections.

Recent amendments include:

• 2021: Act 222 added the legislator deferment and the opt-out for people 80 and older, now § 16-31-103(c) and (d).
• 2023: Act 177, a technical-corrections act, amended the legislator deferment in § 16-31-103(c), and Act 178 amended § 21-5-104 on public employers and jury fees.

The Legislature's index shows no change to these jury sections, or to §§ 21-4-213 and 21-5-104, in the 2025 regular session or the 2026 fiscal session. If your summons or the court's instructions differ from this page, follow the court.

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

Related pages

• Jury duty laws by state
• Arkansas at-will employment laws
• Arkansas court records
• Arkansas scam and fraud laws
• Tennessee jury duty laws
• Texas jury duty laws

Last updated: October 7, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does jury duty pay in Arkansas?

A juror selected and seated on a grand or petit jury is paid $50 a day. A person who appears but is excused or not seated gets at least $15 a day, as set by the county quorum court (Ark. Code § 16-34-103). Mileage is paid only where the county has adopted a mileage ordinance (Ark. Code § 16-34-104).

Can I get out of jury duty in Arkansas if I am over 80?

Yes, if you choose. A person who is 80 or older may voluntarily exempt himself or herself from, or decline to participate in, jury service at any time (Ark. Code § 16-31-103(d)). Let the court or circuit clerk on your summons know rather than simply not appearing.

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

Arkansas's jury statute does not require private employers to pay your wages while you serve. State, county and municipal employers may not deduct jury fees from your usual pay (Ark. Code § 21-5-104), and state employees get full compensation without using annual leave (Ark. Code § 21-4-213). If you are a salaried exempt employee, federal rules generally bar deducting jury absences from your salary for a week in which you do any work, though the employer may offset jury fees (29 C.F.R. § 541.602(b)(3)). School employees should check their district's leave rules.

Can I be fired for jury duty in Arkansas?

No. Once you give reasonable notice of the summons, an employer may not fire you, take away sick leave or vacation time, or impose any other penalty because of your jury service. A violation is a Class A misdemeanor (Ark. Code § 16-31-106).

Can I be excused from jury duty in Arkansas because of my job?

The Arkansas Judiciary says the law does not allow a juror to be excused because of occupation or employment. The court may excuse or defer you when your health or your family's reasonably requires it, or when your interests or the public's would be materially injured (Ark. Code § 16-31-103(b)).

What happens if I miss jury duty in Arkansas?

Unless the circuit judge excused you, a legally summoned juror who fails to attend may be fined $5 to $500, and the court can also punish for contempt (Ark. Code § 16-32-106(d)).

Can a felon serve on a jury in Arkansas?

The jury statute disqualifies persons convicted of a felony who have not been pardoned (Ark. Code § 16-31-102(a)(4)). If a court has sealed the felony record, Ark. Code § 16-90-1417 restores all privileges and rights unless otherwise specifically provided by law. Ask the circuit clerk to confirm your eligibility if your record has been sealed or you have received other relief.

How long is jury duty in Arkansas?

A petit juror cannot be required to report on more than 10 days, or for more than a four-month period, in the calendar year selected, except to finish a trial already underway (Ark. Code § 16-31-104(b)). After serving on a sworn jury, you are ineligible for another jury in the same county for two years.