Indiana Jury Duty Laws: Pay, Exemptions and Employer Rules

Indiana state-court jury service is governed by chapter 28-5 of Title 33 of the Indiana Code and the Indiana Jury Rules, with disqualifications, deferral and exemptions in IC 33-28-5-18. Circuit and superior court jurors receive $30 a day until the jury is impaneled, then $80 a day through the fifth day of trial and $90 a day after that, plus mileage (IC 33-37-10-1).

If you notify your employer of the summons within a reasonable time, your employer may not take any adverse action against you over jury service, and it may not make you use vacation or sick leave for it (IC 33-28-5-24.3). A person at least 75 years old may ask to be exempted.

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 Indiana state courts. A summons from a federal court in Indiana follows federal law, summarized on our jury duty laws by state hub.

Do you have to go? The short answer

Yes, unless you are disqualified, exempt, or the court defers or excuses you. Indiana Jury Rule 6 says a person may claim exemption "only if the person (1) has completed a term of jury service in the twenty-four (24) months preceding the date of the person's summons, or (2) is exempt from jury service pursuant to an exemption expressly provided by statute" (Ind. Jury Rule 6).

The statutory exemptions found in the research are age 75 and older, recent birth with breastfeeding, and active or ordered military duty. We found no general exemption for students, caregivers or most occupations in the sections searched. Everyone else who has a conflict uses the one-time deferral. To see which route might fit before you contact the court, try our jury duty exemption checker.

Who can serve on a jury in Indiana

Under IC 33-28-5-18(b), a prospective juror is disqualified if any of these conditions exist:

• the person is not a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age, and a resident of the county;
• the person is unable to read, speak and understand English well enough to fill out the juror qualification form;
• the person is incapable of rendering satisfactory jury service due to physical or mental disability (the court may require a physician's or authorized Christian Science practitioner's certificate);
• a guardian has been appointed for the person because of mental incapacity; or
• the person has had the right to vote revoked by reason of a felony conviction and the right has not been restored.

A person with a disability who is otherwise qualified is evaluated for whether they could serve with reasonable accommodation (IC 33-28-5-18(a)).

Two narrower bars also apply. A law enforcement officer may not serve as a juror "if the trial is for a criminal case" (Ind. Jury Rule 5(h)), so officers can still sit on civil juries. And under IC 33-28-5-18(e), "A person may not serve as a petit juror in any county if the person served as a petit juror in the same county within the previous three hundred sixty-five (365) days in a case that resulted in a verdict."

Felony convictions

Indiana ties the felony bar to voting rights, not to the conviction itself. The jury statute disqualifies a person whose right to vote was revoked by a felony conviction and not restored.

Under Indiana's voter-registration law, a person convicted and imprisoned "is eligible to register when the person is no longer: (1) imprisoned; or (2) otherwise subject to lawful detention" (IC 3-7-13-5). People on probation, parole, home detention or in community corrections are eligible to register and vote (IC 3-7-13-6(b)), so they are not disqualified on that ground. In practice, the felony bar ends when imprisonment or lawful detention ends.

Exemptions, deferrals and excuses in Indiana

Age 75 and older

Under IC 33-28-5-18(d)(1), a prospective juror "may be exempted from jury service if the prospective juror notifies the jury administrator" that the person "Is at least seventy-five (75) years of age and wishes to be exempted from jury service."

This is the only age-out rule in the sections searched, and it works on request. Nothing removes you from the jury pool automatically at any age. The statute does not say whether the exemption lasts permanently or covers only the current summons, so ask the jury administrator when you claim it.

Breastfeeding mothers

P.L.69-2026 (Senate Enrolled Act 139) added a second exemption to IC 33-28-5-18(d), effective July 1, 2026. A prospective juror may be exempted on notice to the jury administrator if she "(A) has given birth in the preceding three hundred sixty-five (365) days; (B) is currently breastfeeding the baby; and (C) wishes to be exempted from jury service." All three conditions must be met.

Military service members and the Indiana National Guard

Under IC 10-16-16-1, "An individual who serves on: (1) active duty; or (2) reserve duty while on military orders; in the armed forces of the United States or the Indiana National Guard is exempt from service on any jury in any court of Indiana." A reservist or Guard member who is not on orders is not covered by this section.

Federal law adds a separate route for active-duty members: a member 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 (10 U.S.C. § 982).

Your one deferral

Under IC 33-28-5-18(c), "A person scheduled to appear for jury service has the right to defer the date of the person's initial appearance for jury service one (1) time upon a showing of hardship, extreme inconvenience, or necessity." The court shall grant the deferral if:

1. you have not previously been granted a deferral;
2. you ask the jury administrator by telephone, email, in writing or in person;
3. you pick a new date not more than one year after your original date, when the court will be in session; and
4. the court finds the deferral is necessary because of hardship, extreme inconvenience or necessity.

The Indiana Judicial Branch says, "Generally, courts do not require you to appear in court to request a deferral" (Indiana Judicial Branch, Serving Jury Duty). Facts supporting a deferral are recorded under oath (Ind. Jury Rule 8).

Religious objection

Under Jury Rule 5, "Upon timely advance request from the prospective juror, the court may excuse from reporting for jury service any person whose bona fide religious conviction and affiliation with a religion prevents the prospective juror from performing jury service." The court decides, and the request must come in advance.

How much does jury duty pay in Indiana?

IC 33-37-10-1 sets the fees for circuit, superior, county and probate court jurors and grand jurors. A summoned juror who reports on the specified day counts as in actual attendance even if not seated.

A county fiscal body may adopt an ordinance to pay a supplemental fee from county funds on top of the statutory amounts, and a county, city or town may pay jurors' parking fees by ordinance in place of mileage (IC 33-37-10-1(b), (d), (f)). The statute does not print the current mileage rate, so check your summons or ask the jury administrator.

Hamilton County's court page illustrates the schedule: "Each juror selected to serve is paid $80 per day for Days 1-5 of service, but then $90 per day from Day 6 until the conclusion of the trial. Each juror who reports for jury selection but is not chosen to serve as a juror is paid $30." It adds that checks "will be mailed within 30-60 days after completion of service" (Hamilton County, Jury Duty). Other counties may differ.

Indiana employer rules for jury duty

Notice and job protection

Under IC 33-28-5-24.3(a), if you are summoned and notify your employer "within a reasonable period: (A) after receiving the jury summons; and (B) before the person appears for jury service; the person's employer may not subject the person to any adverse employment action as the result of the person's jury service."

Notice is the condition, so tell your employer as soon as the summons arrives. The section sets no minimum employer size for this protection and does not distinguish full-time from part-time workers.

No forced use of vacation or sick leave

IC 33-28-5-24.3(b) says "An employee may not be required or requested to use annual leave, vacation leave, or sick leave for time spent: (1) responding to a summons for jury service; (2) participating in the jury selection process; or (3) serving on a jury." The same subsection adds that it does not require an employer to provide those leave benefits to an employee not otherwise entitled to them.

Does your employer have to pay you?

Indiana's jury statute does not require private employers to keep paying your regular wages while you serve. The sections searched (IC 33-28-5-24.3, IC 35-44.1-2-11 and IC 34-28-4-1) contain no wage-continuation rule; the juror fee under IC 33-37-10-1 is what the law provides. For employees in Indiana state civil service, the State Personnel Department treats jury duty as an authorized absence without loss of pay, with the juror fee deducted so total pay equals base salary (Indiana State Personnel Department, Leaves and Absences). School and local government employees should check their own employer's leave rules.

Small employers: coworkers are not called at the same time

Under IC 33-28-5-24.3(c), if you work for an employer with no more than 10 full-time employees (or their equivalent), another employee of that employer is already serving, and either of you notifies the court that you share an employer, "the court shall reschedule the prospective juror's jury service for a date that does not overlap with the jury service of the other employee."

If you are fired over jury service

Firing you over jury service can be a crime. Under IC 35-44.1-2-11, a person who knowingly or intentionally dismisses an employee, deprives an employee of employment benefits, or threatens either, "because the employee has received or responded to a summons, served as a juror, or attended court for prospective jury service commits interference with jury service, a Class B misdemeanor."

You also have a civil remedy, with a short deadline. Under IC 34-28-4-1, a person dismissed in violation of that section "may bring a civil action, within ninety (90) days of the dismissal," to recover lost wages and to obtain an order of reinstatement, and if the person wins, "the court shall award a reasonable attorney's fee." The civil action is tied to dismissal. If you were fired, talk to an Indiana employment lawyer promptly. For how this fits with other limits on firing, see our page on Indiana at-will employment laws.

What happens if you miss jury duty in Indiana

Under IC 33-28-5-17(a), "If a prospective juror fails to appear under the supervising judge's order or fails to show good cause for the failure to appear as directed by the jury administrator, the prospective juror is subject to criminal contempt." IC 33-28-5-24 adds that a person "who fails to appear or complete jury service as directed is subject to criminal contempt."

The jury statute sets no specific fine or jail term for this contempt. If you missed your date, contact the court that sent the summons right away and explain what happened.

Lying on the form is a separate offense. "A person who knowingly misrepresents a material fact on a juror qualification form for the purpose of avoiding or securing service as a juror commits a Class C misdemeanor" (IC 33-28-5-17(b)).

How long jury duty lasts in Indiana

Indiana uses a one-trial rule. Under IC 33-28-5-23, "A person who appears for service as a petit or grand juror serves until the conclusion of the first trial in which the juror is sworn, regardless of the length of the trial or the manner in which the trial is disposed. A person who appears for service but is not selected and sworn as a juror completes the person's service when jury selection is complete."

After you serve, you may not be picked for another panel until every nonexempt person in the jury pool has been called, unless the supervising judge orders otherwise (Ind. Jury Rule 9; IC 33-28-5-23(b)). A person not chosen may ask in writing to be placed back in the pool for more terms. Completing a term also lets you claim the 24-month exemption under Jury Rule 6.

How to respond to an Indiana jury summons

1. Complete the juror qualification form. The jury administrator sends it within 7 days after names are drawn, and it carries an oath or affirmation that your answers are true (IC 33-28-5-16).
2. Expect the summons on your county's schedule. Under Ind. Jury Rule 4, a county using the single-tier procedure sends the form and summons together at least six weeks before service; a county using the two-tier procedure summons jurors at least one week before service.
3. To claim an exemption or ask for your one deferral, contact the jury administrator of the court that sent the summons by phone, email, in writing or in person (IC 33-28-5-18).
4. Use your local court for everything else. The Indiana Judicial Branch says to seek information "through the local trial court to which you were called for duty. Start by looking up your county's website" (Indiana Judicial Branch, Serving Jury Duty).

If someone calls demanding money for a missed jury date, check with the court that sent your summons before you pay anything. Our guide to government impersonation scams explains how these schemes work, and our page on Indiana scam and fraud laws covers where to report.

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

Related pages

• Jury duty laws by state
• Indiana at-will employment laws
• Indiana court records
• Indiana scam and fraud laws
• Illinois jury duty laws
• Kentucky jury duty laws

Last updated: October 7, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does jury duty pay in Indiana?

Circuit and superior court jurors receive $30 a day until the jury is impaneled, $80 a day through the fifth day of trial, and $90 a day from the sixth day until discharge, plus mileage at the state employee rate (IC 33-37-10-1). Counties may add a supplemental fee by ordinance.

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

A person at least 75 years old who wishes to be exempted may be exempted by notifying the jury administrator (IC 33-28-5-18(d)(1)). It is not automatic, so you have to ask.

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

Indiana's jury statute does not require private employers to pay your regular wages, but your employer may not require or request that you use vacation or sick leave for jury service (IC 33-28-5-24.3(b)). State civil-service employees are paid for jury duty under State Personnel Department policy; school and local government employees should check their own leave rules.

Can I be fired for jury duty in Indiana?

No. Dismissing an employee over jury service is a Class B misdemeanor (IC 35-44.1-2-11), and a fired employee may sue within 90 days for lost wages and reinstatement (IC 34-28-4-1). The adverse-action protection in IC 33-28-5-24.3 depends on giving your employer timely notice of the summons.

Is there a breastfeeding exemption for jury duty in Indiana?

Yes. A woman who gave birth in the preceding 365 days, is currently breastfeeding and wishes to be exempted may be exempted by notifying the jury administrator (IC 33-28-5-18(d)(2), added by P.L.69-2026 effective July 1, 2026).

Can I postpone jury duty in Indiana?

You have the right to defer your first appearance once, to a date within one year when court is in session, on a showing of hardship, extreme inconvenience or necessity (IC 33-28-5-18(c)). Contact the jury administrator by phone, email, in writing or in person.

What happens if I miss jury duty in Indiana?

A prospective juror who fails to appear without good cause is subject to criminal contempt (IC 33-28-5-17(a); IC 33-28-5-24). The jury statute sets no specific fine or jail amount.

Can a felon serve on a jury in Indiana?

The jury bar applies only while the person's felony-related loss of voting rights lasts (IC 33-28-5-18(b)(5)). Under IC 3-7-13-5, the person may register to vote again once no longer imprisoned or otherwise subject to lawful detention.

Are National Guard members exempt from jury duty in Indiana?

Active duty, or reserve duty while on military orders, in the U.S. armed forces or the Indiana National Guard is exempt from service on any Indiana jury (IC 10-16-16-1).

How long is jury duty in Indiana?

You serve until the end of the first trial in which you are sworn, however long it lasts; if you are not selected, your service ends when jury selection is complete (IC 33-28-5-23).