California
California Jury Duty Laws: Pay, Excuses and Employer Rules (2026)
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 7, 2026). · 31 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
California's rules for state-court jury service sit mainly in the Code of Civil Procedure, starting with the qualifications list in Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 203. Jurors are paid $15 a day plus 34 cents a mile, but only from the second day of service (§ 215).
Your employer cannot fire you for serving (Gov. Code § 12945.8), but no state law makes a private employer keep paying you. California has no age exemption today; a permanent excuse by written attestation for people 80 and older takes effect on January 1, 2028.
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 California's superior courts. A summons from a federal court (a U.S. District Court sitting in California) follows federal law, summarized on our jury duty laws by state hub.
Who can serve on a jury in California
Everyone is eligible to serve on a California trial jury except the people listed in Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 203(a). Section 203(b) adds that no one may be excluded for any other reason.
You are not qualified if you:
- are not a U.S. citizen
- are under 18
- are not domiciled in California, or do not live in the county (the court's jurisdiction) that summoned you
- were convicted of malfeasance in office and your civil rights have not been restored
- do not have sufficient knowledge of English
- are currently serving as a grand or trial juror in any California court
- are the subject of a conservatorship
- are incarcerated in a prison or jail
- were convicted of a felony and are currently on parole, postrelease community supervision, felony probation or mandated supervision for it
- are currently required to register as a sex offender under Penal Code § 290 based on a felony conviction
These disqualifications apply automatically by status; they are not favors the court grants. The jury commissioner may require anyone to answer questions under oath about their qualifications (§ 196(a)).
A felony record no longer disqualifies you by itself
Since January 1, 2020, a past felony conviction alone does not keep a Californian off a trial jury. The Judicial Council's jury service page explains that only current status counts: a person still on parole, postrelease community supervision, felony probation or mandated supervision for a felony remains disqualified. The same page notes the change does not affect grand jury criteria.
English and disability
The statute says no one is incompetent to serve solely because of a loss of sight or hearing, or another disability that affects communication or mobility (§ 203(a)(6)). The Judicial Council tells jurors they do not need to speak perfect English, because the court uses common, everyday language.
How California finds jurors
Each county builds its master list from registered voters, DMV licensed drivers and ID cardholders and, since 2022, the Franchise Tax Board list of resident state tax filers (§ 197). So you can be summoned even if you have never registered to vote.
Can you get out of jury duty in California?
California is strict here. Section 204 says no eligible person is exempt because of occupation, economic status, or any characteristic listed in Gov. Code § 11135, "or for any other reason." A person may be excused "only for undue hardship, upon themselves or upon the public, as defined by the Judicial Council."
That leaves three lawful routes: a disqualification (above), a hardship excuse the jury commissioner decides, or a postponement. You can check which categories may fit your situation with our jury duty exemption checker.
| Category | Who it covers | How it works | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent prior service | A person who served on a grand or trial jury, or was summoned and appeared for jury service, in any state or federal court in the previous 12 months | Must be excused on request; the jury commissioner may set a longer period | Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.1008(e) |
| No transportation | A person with no reasonably available public or private way to get to court | Court decides | Rule 2.1008(d)(1) |
| Excessive travel distance | Travel time over one and a half hours from home to court, unless a statute or local rule sets a different standard | Court decides | Rule 2.1008(d)(2) |
| Extreme financial burden | A person whose service would cause extreme financial hardship | Court decides, weighing household income, any income reimbursement, expected length of service and the effect on supporting dependents | Rule 2.1008(d)(3) |
| Risk to property | Undue risk of material injury to the person's property | Court decides | Rule 2.1008(d)(4) |
| Disability or impairment | A physical or mental condition that would expose the person to undue risk of harm | Court decides; verification may be required unless the person is 70 or older | Rule 2.1008(d)(5) |
| Public health and safety | A person whose services are immediately needed for public health and safety | Court decides | Rule 2.1008(d)(6) |
| Caregiving | A person who must personally care for a sick, aged or infirm dependent, or a child who needs personal care, with no practical substitute | Court decides; verification may be required | Rule 2.1008(d)(7) |
| Permanent medical excuse | A person whose permanent disability makes them incapable of jury service | On written request with a signed note on the treating provider's letterhead, submitted on or before the appearance date | Rule 2.1009 |
| Breastfeeding | A person who is breastfeeding a child | Deferral of up to one year, renewable while breastfeeding; must be granted if requested in writing under penalty of perjury | Rule 2.1006 |
| Certain peace officers | Officers defined in Penal Code §§ 830.1, 830.2(a) and 830.33(a) (civil and criminal cases), and § 830.2(b)-(c) (criminal cases) | Not selected for voir dire; this is a jury-selection rule, not an exemption from the summons | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 219(b) |
What "undue hardship" means in practice
The hardship grounds come from rule 2.1008(d) of the California Rules of Court. The rule also sets two limits. Deferral is preferred to an excuse for a temporary or marginal hardship, and "inconvenience to a prospective juror or an employer is not an adequate reason to be excused," though it may support a deferral (rule 2.1008(b)(3)-(4)).
A hardship request must be in writing (or on the record) and explain the facts and why a deferral would not solve the problem (rule 2.1008(c)). Under Code Civ. Proc. § 218, every excuse must be in writing, set out the basis and be signed by the juror. The commissioner may accept it without a personal appearance, but the Judicial Council warns you may still be required to come to court to speak with the judge.
Permanent medical excuse
A person with a permanent physical or mental disability can ask for a permanent medical excuse under rule 2.1009. The request goes to the jury commissioner in writing, with a signed letter, memo or note on the treating health care provider's letterhead stating that the permanent disability makes the person incapable of jury service. The request and note must reach the jury commissioner on or before the date you are summoned to appear (rule 2.1009(c)(2)).
Being capable, under the rule, means being able to pay attention for up to six hours a day with breaks, with or without accommodations. A person who can serve with accommodations may not be excused solely because of a disability. Someone denied may reapply at any time, and someone granted may ask in writing to be reinstated.
Other situations
The statutes and rules reviewed for this page create no separate excuse category for students, military members, first responders other than the peace officers above, public officials or religious observance. Those situations go through the general undue-hardship request or a deferral. Caregivers are covered by rule 2.1008(d)(7).
Is there an age limit for jury duty in California?
No. California has no age exemption and no automatic age-out today. The Judicial Council's page lists "advanced age" among the reasons no one is exempt.
Age matters in one narrow way. Under rule 2.1008(d)(5), a juror 70 or older who asks to be excused for a disability or impairment cannot be required to furnish verification of it. The rule does not excuse anyone because of age alone; the commissioner still decides the request.
The 80-and-older permanent excuse starting in 2028
AB 1359, signed September 14, 2026 (Stats. 2026 ch. 195), adds a new § 204(c) that becomes operative on January 1, 2028. From that date, a person 80 or older who has an impairment permanently rendering them incapable of jury service can be permanently excused by giving the jury commissioner a written attestation saying so. No note from a health care provider will be required.
Until January 1, 2028, people 80 and older use the same routes as everyone else: a hardship excuse, or a permanent medical excuse under rule 2.1009 with a provider's note.
How much does jury duty pay in California?
The fee is set statewide by Code Civ. Proc. § 215, and the $15 rate has applied since July 1, 2000. The statute sets no higher rate for long trials and no county supplement.
| Item | Amount | When it starts | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily juror fee | $15 a day | Second day of attendance (the first day is unpaid) | § 215(a) |
| Mileage | $0.34 per mile actually traveled to and from court | Second day of attendance | § 215(c) |
| Public transit | No-cost transit through a court program, or reimbursement set by the court up to $12 a day | The Judicial Council says the first day | § 215(d) |
| Telephone standby | No pay; each day available counts as service credit | Paid only if you are actually required to appear | § 213 |
| Sequestered criminal juries | Food and lodging may be provided at county expense | When the court directs | § 217 |
The transit duty does not apply where no public transit operator provides service reasonably available to the courthouse (§ 215(e)). The Judicial Council summarizes the travel benefit as at least 34 cents a mile, or up to $12 for public transit.
Government workers are treated differently. A juror employed by a federal, state or local government entity or another public entity who receives regular pay and benefits during jury service is not paid the $15 fee (§ 215(b)).
The higher-pay pilot is suspended
A state-funded pilot that paid jurors $100 a day and higher mileage in seven superior courts was suspended in 2025. The Superior Court of Alameda County announced that "any jurors selected after June 4, 2025, will receive the normal $15 a day and $0.34 per mile compensation." Treat any claim of higher statewide juror pay with caution and confirm with your county's jury office.
Does your employer have to pay you or hold your job?
California protects your job but not your paycheck.
Job protection
Under Gov. Code § 12945.8(a)(1), an employer may not "discharge or in any manner discriminate against an employee for taking time off to serve as required by law on an inquest jury or trial jury." The law counts as an employer anyone who directly employs one or more people for wages or a salary, plus the state, its subdivisions and cities (§ 12945.8(j)(3)), so there is no minimum company size.
The protection has one condition. The employee must give the employer reasonable advance notice of the time off, unless advance notice is not feasible (§ 12945.8(c)(1)). The Judicial Council tells jurors to let their employer know as soon as the summons arrives.
It is also unlawful for an employer to interfere with, restrain or deny the exercise of these rights (§ 12945.8(f)). On the court's side, the jury commissioner must tell each juror about this protection at orientation (Code Civ. Proc. § 214).
Pay during jury service
No California statute requires a private employer to pay wages while you serve. The Judicial Council's employer page states that "state law does not require employers to compensate employees who are absent because of jury service," while noting that many employers have jury-leave policies that do.
An employee may use vacation, personal leave, paid sick leave or compensatory time off that is otherwise available under the terms of employment, unless a collective bargaining agreement provides otherwise (§ 12945.8(g)). The statute frames this as the employee's option; it does not address whether an employer can require it.
There is one pay-continuation rule for some public school staff. Under Education Code § 44037, school districts must give classified employees (positions not requiring certification) jury leave with pay up to the difference between their regular earnings and their juror fees, and § 87036 gives community college classified staff the same paid leave. A K-12 district may limit paid jury leave under § 44037 to a set share of its staff at one time, no less than 2 percent. Students' absences for jury duty are excused under Education Code § 48205(a)(5).
If you are fired or punished for serving
The Judicial Council says employees who are harassed or fired for jury service can file a claim with the California Civil Rights Department. Because § 12945.8 sits in the Fair Employment and Housing Act's Article 1, a complaint generally must be filed within three years of the unlawful practice (Gov. Code § 12960(e)(5)).
You may still see Labor Code § 230 cited as the jury-duty protection. That section now applies only to conduct on or before December 31, 2024, and is repealed on January 1, 2035 (Lab. Code § 230(k)-(l)). For anything since 2025, the governing law is Gov. Code § 12945.8.
What happens if you ignore a California jury summons
The process runs through notices before any penalty. Under Code Civ. Proc. § 209(b), a court using the sanctions process may send a second summons, no earlier than 90 days after the first failure to appear. If you miss that too, the court may send a failure-to-appear notice, and if you do not attend as that notice directs, the court issues an order to show cause.
From there the court has two options:
- Contempt. A summoned juror who fails to attend or respond "may be attached and compelled to attend," and after an order to show cause hearing may be found in contempt, "punishable by fine, incarceration, or both" (§ 209(a)).
- Monetary sanctions. After notice and a chance to be heard, the court may impose sanctions instead of contempt (§ 209(b)), with only one sanction per juror pool cycle (§ 209(c)(2)).
| Violation | Maximum monetary sanction |
|---|---|
| First | $250 |
| Second | $750 |
| Third and any later violation | $1,500 |
Paying a sanction "does not relieve the person of his or her obligation to perform jury duty" (§ 209(b)). A sanction may be excused for undue hardship under § 204(b) or in the interests of justice.
If sanctions were imposed by default, you can move to set them aside no later than 60 days after they were imposed (rule 2.1010). The court must set them aside on a showing of good cause, but the motion does not end your duty to serve.
Ignoring the qualification questionnaire has its own consequence: the court may summon you to answer it, or simply treat you as qualified (§ 196(c)).
Honesty matters once you arrive. Before jury selection, jurors agree under penalty of perjury to answer all questions about their qualifications and ability to serve truthfully, and are told that "failure to do so may result in criminal prosecution" (§ 232(a)).
How long jury duty lasts in California
California uses a one-day-or-one-trial system under rule 2.1002(c). Your obligation is fulfilled when you have done any one of these:
- served on one trial until discharged
- been assigned on one day to one or more courtrooms for jury selection and served through the end of selection, or until excused
- attended court but were not assigned to a courtroom before the end of that day
- served one day on call
- served on standby for no more than five court days
Jurors on one-hour telephone standby get credit for each day they are available (§ 213). A summons sent by mail must be mailed at least 10 days before your appearance date, and the jury commissioner may later change the date, time or place by written, telephone or direct communication (§ 208).
How often can you be called? The Judicial Council's page lists "not served on a jury in the last 12 months" among its qualifications, but § 203 contains no such rule. The 12-month protection works through rule 2.1008(e): if you served or appeared for jury service in any state or federal court in the previous year, you must be excused when you ask.
How to respond to a California jury summons
There is no statewide juror portal. Each of the 58 superior courts runs its own jury office, and the Judicial Council's local jury page links to every county's jury information. Use the phone number or website printed on your summons.
The main ways to respond:
- Confirm your service through the court's online system or phone line, as the summons directs.
- Ask for a postponement. Under rule 2.1004(a), the jury commissioner "should" grant a one-time deferral on request, and a request made in writing under penalty of perjury or through the court's electronic system should not require an in-person visit. The Judicial Council's employer page says courts will "in most cases" allow one postponement to a date the employee chooses.
- Ask to be excused in a signed written request that explains the hardship (§ 218 and rule 2.1008(c)).
- Report a disqualification. If the summoned person cannot respond, someone who knows that may respond for them (§ 196(b)).
Peace officers covered by Penal Code § 830.5 may apply for a scheduling accommodation, which the jury commissioner must make on an application stating why it is needed (rule 2.1004(b)).
Watch for jury duty scams
The Judicial Council says superior court staff "will never ask past or prospective jurors for personal information like financial history, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, or Social Security numbers." The San Diego Superior Court adds that it does not phone people to ask for money or threaten arrest, and its jury page states that California law does not permit paying a fine in lieu of jury duty.
Real sanctions follow the written § 209 process above. If a caller demands payment for a missed jury date, hang up and contact the jury office listed on your summons. Our guide to government impersonation scams explains how these schemes work and where to report them.
Disclaimer: This page provides general legal information about jury service in California state courts, not legal advice. The court that summoned you decides every excuse, postponement and sanction 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 California.
Related pages
- Jury duty laws by state
- California at-will employment laws
- California court records
- California scam and fraud laws
Last updated: October 7, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does jury duty pay in California?
California pays $15 a day plus 34 cents a mile, starting on the second day of service; the first day is unpaid by statute (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 215). Courts also offer no-cost public transit or reimburse it up to $12 a day where transit reasonably serves the courthouse.
Does my employer have to pay me for jury duty in California?
No state law requires a private employer to pay wages during jury service. Your employer cannot fire or discriminate against you for serving under Gov. Code § 12945.8, and you may choose to use available vacation, personal leave, paid sick leave or comp time.
Can I get out of jury duty in California if I am over 70?
Not because of age alone; California has no age exemption. A person 70 or older who asks to be excused for a disability cannot be required to furnish verification of it (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.1008(d)(5)), and from January 1, 2028 a person 80 or older can be permanently excused for an impairment by written attestation.
What happens if I miss jury duty in California?
The court can send a second summons, a failure-to-appear notice and an order to show cause, then either hold you in contempt or impose sanctions of up to $250, $750 and $1,500 for a first, second and third violation (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 209). Paying a sanction does not end your duty to serve.
How do I postpone jury duty in California?
Ask your county's jury office through the method on your summons; under rule 2.1004(a), the jury commissioner should grant a one-time deferral on request. A breastfeeding juror may defer for up to one year, renewable, under rule 2.1006.
How often can you be called for jury duty in California?
You can be summoned again, but if you served or appeared for jury service in any state or federal court in the previous 12 months, the court must excuse you on request (rule 2.1008(e)). The jury commissioner may set a longer period.
Can a felon serve on a jury in California?
Yes, a past felony conviction alone no longer disqualifies a person from a California trial jury. A person currently on parole, postrelease community supervision, felony probation or mandated supervision for a felony, or required to register as a sex offender based on a felony, remains disqualified (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 203(a)).
Can I be fired for jury duty in California?
No. Gov. Code § 12945.8 bars any employer with one or more employees from firing or discriminating against you for jury service, as long as you give reasonable advance notice when feasible. A complaint generally goes to the Civil Rights Department within three years.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
California Code of Civil Procedure
§ 203In force
(a) All persons are eligible and qualified to be prospective trial jurors, except the following: (1) Persons who are not citizens of the United States. (2) Persons who are less than 18 years of age. (3) Persons who are not domiciliaries of the State of California, as determined pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 2020) of Chapter 1 of Division 2 of the Elections Code. (4) Persons who are not residents of the jurisdiction wherein they are summoned to serve. (5) Persons who have been convicted of malfeasance in office and whose civil rights have not been restored. (6) Persons who are not possessed of sufficient knowledge of the English language, provided that no person shall be deemed incompetent solely because of the loss of sight or hearing in any degree or other disability which impedes the person’s ability to communicate or which impairs or interferes with the person’s mobility. (7) Persons who are serving as grand or trial jurors in any court of this state. (8) Persons who are the subject of conservatorship. (9) Persons while they are incarcerated in any prison or jail.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
§ 12In force
The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
§ 15In force
Words giving a joint authority to three or more public officers or other persons are construed as giving such authority to a majority of them, unless it is otherwise expressed in the Act giving the authority.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
§ 196In force
(a) The jury commissioner or the court shall inquire as to the qualifications of persons on the master list or source list who are or may be summoned for jury service. The commissioner or the court may require any person to answer, under oath, orally or in written form, all questions as may be addressed to that person, regarding the person’s qualifications and ability to serve as a prospective trial juror. The commissioner and his or her assistants shall have power to administer oaths and shall be allowed actual traveling expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. (b) Response to the jury commissioner or the court concerning an inquiry or summons may be made by any person having knowledge that the prospective juror is unable to respond to such inquiry or summons. (c) Any person who fails to respond to jury commissioner or court inquiry as instructed, may be summoned to appear before the jury commissioner or the court to answer the inquiry, or may be deemed to be qualified for jury service in the absence of a response to the inquiry. Any information thus acquired by the court or jury commissioner shall be noted in jury commissioner or court records.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
§ 197In force
(a) All persons selected for jury service shall be selected at random, from a source or sources inclusive of a representative cross section of the population of the area served by the court. Sources may include, in addition to other lists, customer mailing lists, telephone directories, or utility company lists. (b) (1) The list of registered voters and the Department of Motor Vehicles’ list of licensed drivers and identification cardholders resident within the area served by the court, are appropriate source lists for selection of jurors. Until January 1, 2022, only these two source lists, when substantially purged of duplicate names, shall be considered inclusive of a representative cross section of the population, within the meaning of subdivision (a). (2) The list of resident state tax filers is an appropriate source list for selection of jurors.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
§ 204In force
(a) No eligible person shall be exempt from service as a trial juror by reason of occupation, economic status, or any characteristic listed or defined in Section 11135 of the Government Code, or for any other reason. No person shall be excused from service as a trial juror except as specified in subdivision (b). (b) An eligible person may be excused from jury service only for undue hardship, upon themselves or upon the public, as defined by the Judicial Council.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
§ 208In force
The jury commissioner shall estimate the number of prospective jurors that may be required to serve the needs of the court, and shall summon prospective jurors for service. Prospective jurors shall be summoned by mailing a summons by first-class mail or by personal service or, in urgency situations, as elsewhere provided by law. The summons, when served by mail, shall be mailed at least 10 days prior to the date of required appearance. Once a prospective juror has been summoned, the date, time, or place of appearance may be modified or further specified by the jury commissioner, by means of written, telegraphic, telephonic, or direct oral communication with the prospective juror.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
§ 209In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) Any prospective trial juror who has been summoned for service, and who fails to attend as directed or to respond to the court or jury commissioner and to be excused from attendance, may be attached and compelled to attend. Following an order to show cause hearing, the court may find the prospective juror in contempt of court, punishable by fine, incarceration, or both, as otherwise provided by law. (b) In lieu of imposing sanctions for contempt as set forth in subdivision (a), the court may impose reasonable monetary sanctions, as provided in this subdivision, on a prospective juror who has not been excused pursuant to Section 204 after first providing the prospective juror with notice and an opportunity to be heard. If a juror fails to respond to the initial summons the court may issue a second summons indicating that the person failed to appear in response to a previous summons and ordering the person to appear for jury duty. The second summons may be issued no earlier than 90 days after the initial failure to appear.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Also relied on in: Jury Duty Laws by State (2026): Exemptions, Pay, Job Protection
§ 213In force
Unless excused by reason of undue hardship, all or any portion of the summoned prospective jurors shall be available on one-hour notice by telephone to appear for service, when the jury commissioner determines that it will efficiently serve the operational requirements of the court. Jurors available on one-hour telephone notice shall receive credit for each day of such availability towards their jury service obligation, but they shall not be paid unless they are actually required to make an appearance.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
§ 214In force
The jury commissioner shall provide orientation for new jurors, which shall include necessary basic information concerning jury service. The jury commissioner shall notify each juror of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 12945.8 of the Government Code.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
§ 215In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), on and after July 1, 2000, the fee for jurors in the superior court, in civil and criminal cases, is fifteen dollars ($15) a day for each day’s attendance as a juror after the first day. (b) A juror who is employed by a federal, state, or local government entity, or by any other public entity as defined in Section 481.200, and who receives regular compensation and benefits while performing jury service, shall not be paid the fee described in subdivision (a). (c) All jurors in the superior court, in civil and criminal cases, shall be reimbursed for mileage at the rate of thirty-four cents ($0.34) per mile for each mile actually traveled in attending and returning from court as a juror after the first day. (d) All jurors and prospective jurors who have been summoned shall be provided with access to existing public transit services at no cost utilizing one of the following options: (1) Courts may partner with public transit operators in their county to create new programs or continue existing public transit programs that provide no-cost service for jurors and prospective jurors who have been summoned.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Cited in 5 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2008
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- People v. Kraft (California Supreme Court 2000, 99 Cal. Rptr. 2d 1)“…repealed by Stats. 1988, ch. 1245, § 44, p. 4155; see now Code Civ. Proc., § 215) denied him due process of law and a fa…”
- Cassim v. Allstate Insurance (California Supreme Court 2004, 16 Cal. Rptr. 3d 374)“…persons, with or without compensation: ... in jury duty"]; Code Civ. Proc., § 215 [jurors compensated $15 per day plus mi…”
- People v. Carpenter (California Supreme Court 1997, 15 Cal. 4th 312)“…rors be paid more than the statutory amount of $5 per day. (Code Civ. Proc., § 215.) This issue was litigated below. So un…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 217In force
In criminal cases only, while the jury is kept together, either during the progress of the trial or after their retirement for deliberation, the court may direct the sheriff or marshal to provide the jury with suitable and sufficient food and lodging, or other reasonable necessities. The expenses incurred under this section shall be charged against the Trial Court Operations Fund of the county in which the court is held. All those expenses shall be paid on the order of the court.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
§ 218In force
The jury commissioner shall hear the excuses of jurors summoned, in accordance with the standards prescribed by the Judicial Council. It shall be left to the discretion of the jury commissioner to accept an excuse under subdivision (b) of Section 204 without a personal appearance. All excuses shall be in writing setting forth the basis of the request and shall be signed by the juror.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
§ 219In force
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the jury commissioner shall randomly select jurors for jury panels to be sent to courtrooms for voir dire. (b) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), no peace officer, as defined in Section 830.1, subdivision (a) of Section 830.2, and subdivision (a) of Section 830.33, of the Penal Code, shall be selected for voir dire in civil or criminal matters. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), no peace officer, as defined in subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 830.2 of the Penal Code, shall be selected for voir dire in criminal matters.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
§ 232In force
(a) Prior to the examination of prospective trial jurors in the panel assigned for voir dire, the following perjury acknowledgment and agreement shall be obtained from the panel, which shall be acknowledged by the prospective jurors with the statement “I do”: “Do you understand and agree, under penalty of perjury, that you will accurately and truthfully answer all questions about your qualifications and ability to serve as a juror in this case, and that failure to do so may result in criminal prosecution?” (b) As soon as the selection of the trial jury is completed, the following acknowledgment and agreement shall be obtained from the trial jurors, which shall be acknowledged by the statement “I do”: “Do you understand and agree that you will carefully consider the case being heard in this court, and that you will reach a verdict based only on the evidence presented to you and the instructions on the law given by the court?”
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Education Code
§ 44037In force
The governing board of any district shall grant leave of absence to any employee, serving in a position not requiring certification qualifications, regularly called for jury duty in the manner provided for by law. The governing board shall grant such leave with pay up to the amount of the difference between the employee’s regular earnings and any amount he receives as juror’s fees. It is unlawful for the governing board or personnel commission of any school district to adopt or maintain any rule, regulation, or policy which has as its purpose or effect a tendency to encourage employees to seek exemption from jury duty, or to directly or by indirection solicit or suggest to any employee that he seek exemption from jury duty, or to discriminate against any employee with respect to assignment, employment, promotion, or in any other manner because of such employee’s service on any jury panel. The board or personnel commission may, however, provide by rule that only a percentage of its staff, which percentage shall not be less than 2 percent, shall be granted such leave, with pay, at any one time.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Government Code
§ 12945.8In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) An employer shall not do any of the following: (1) Discharge or in any manner discriminate against an employee for taking time off to serve as required by law on an inquest jury or trial jury. (2) Discharge or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against an employee, including, but not limited to, an employee who is a victim, for taking time off to appear in court to comply with a subpoena or other court order as a witness in any judicial proceeding. (3) Discharge or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against an employee who is a victim for taking time off from work to obtain or attempt to obtain any relief. Relief includes, but is not limited to, a temporary restraining order, restraining order, or other injunctive relief, to help ensure the health, safety, or welfare of the victim or their child.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
§ 12960In force
(a) This article governs the procedure for the prevention and elimination of practices made unlawful pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 12940) of Chapter 6. (b) For purposes of this section, filing a complaint means filing an intake form with the department and the operative date of the verified complaint relates back to the filing of the intake form. (c) Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an alleged unlawful practice may file with the department a verified complaint, in writing, that shall state the name and address of the person, employer, labor organization, or employment agency alleged to have committed the unlawful practice complained of, and that shall set forth the particulars thereof and contain other information as may be required by the department. The director or the director’s authorized representative may in like manner, on that person’s own motion, make, sign, and file a complaint. (d) Any employer whose employees, or some of them, refuse or threaten to refuse to cooperate with this part may file with the department a verified complaint asking for assistance by conciliation or other remedial action.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
§ 204In force
The State may require services of persons, with or without compensation: In military duty; in jury duty; as witnesses; as town officers; in highway labor; in maintaining the public peace; in enforcing the service of process; in protecting life and property from fire, pestilence, wreck, and flood; and in other cases provided by statute.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Labor Code
§ 230In force
(a) An employer shall not discharge or in any manner discriminate against an employee for taking time off to serve as required by law on an inquest jury or trial jury, if the employee, prior to taking the time off, gives reasonable notice to the employer that the employee is required to serve. (b) An employer shall not discharge or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against an employee, including, but not limited to, an employee who is a victim of a crime, for taking time off to appear in court to comply with a subpoena or other court order as a witness in any judicial proceeding. (c) An employer shall not discharge or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against an employee who is a victim for taking time off from work to obtain or attempt to obtain any relief. Relief includes, but is not limited to, a temporary restraining order, restraining order, or other injunctive relief, to help ensure the health, safety, or welfare of the victim or their child.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Penal Code
§ 219In force
Every person who unlawfully throws out a switch, removes a rail, or places any obstruction on any railroad with the intention of derailing any passenger, freight or other train, car or engine and thus derails the same, or who unlawfully places any dynamite or other explosive material or any other obstruction upon or near the track of any railroad with the intention of blowing up or derailing any such train, car or engine and thus blows up or derails the same, or who unlawfully sets fire to any railroad bridge or trestle over which any such train, car or engine must pass with the intention of wrecking such train, car or engine, and thus wrecks the same, is guilty of a felony and punishable with death or imprisonment in the state prison for life without possibility of parole in cases where any person suffers death as a proximate result thereof, or imprisonment in the state prison for life with the possibility of parole, in cases where no person suffers death as a proximate result thereof. The penalty shall be determined pursuant to Sections 190.3 and 190.4.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
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Sources and References
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 203, juror qualifications (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 215, juror fees, mileage and transit (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- Cal. Gov. Code § 12945.8, jury duty employment protection (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 204, exemptions and undue hardship (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- AB 1359 (2025-26), Stats. 2026 ch. 195, chaptered text (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 209, failure to appear, contempt and sanctions (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- California Rules of Court, rule 2.1002, one day or one trial (Judicial Council of California)(courts.ca.gov).gov
- California Rules of Court, rule 2.1008, excuses for undue hardship (Judicial Council of California)(courts.ca.gov).gov
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 196, juror inquiries (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- Jury Service (Judicial Council of California)(courts.ca.gov).gov
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 197, juror source lists (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 219, peace officers and voir dire (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 218, excuse requests (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- California Rules of Court, rule 2.1009, permanent medical excuse (Judicial Council of California)(courts.ca.gov).gov
- California Rules of Court, rule 2.1006, deferral for breastfeeding jurors (Judicial Council of California)(courts.ca.gov).gov
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 213, telephone standby (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 217, sequestered juries (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- Jury Duty Pilot Program Suspended, June 5, 2025 (Superior Court of California, County of Alameda)(www.alameda.courts.ca.gov).gov
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 214, juror orientation (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- Jury Service: Employer Information (Judicial Council of California)(courts.ca.gov).gov
- Cal. Educ. Code § 44037, jury leave for classified school employees (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- California Civil Rights Department(calcivilrights.ca.gov).gov
- Cal. Gov. Code § 12960, complaint filing periods (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- Cal. Lab. Code § 230, prior jury duty protection, conduct through 2024 (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- California Rules of Court, rule 2.1010, setting aside default sanctions (Judicial Council of California)(courts.ca.gov).gov
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 232, juror acknowledgment under penalty of perjury (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 208, summons timing (California Legislative Information)(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- Local Jury Info by county (Judicial Council of California)(courts.ca.gov).gov
- California Rules of Court, rule 2.1004, scheduling accommodations and deferral (Judicial Council of California)(courts.ca.gov).gov
- San Diego Superior Court warns of jury duty scams (Superior Court of California, County of San Diego)(www.sdcourt.ca.gov).gov
- Superior Court of California, County of San Diego: Jury Service(sdcourt.ca.gov).gov