New Jersey Jury Duty Laws: Pay, Excuses and Employer Rules

New Jersey state-court jury service is governed by Chapter 20 of Title 2B of the New Jersey Statutes (N.J.S.A. 2B:20), which the New Jersey Judiciary summarizes on its juror information pages. Petit jurors are paid $5 a day for the first three days and $40 a day from the fourth day on, and a person 75 or older may ask to be excused.

New Jersey law prohibits an employer from penalizing you because you serve as a juror, but the Judiciary says there is "no statutory requirement that a private employer pay your salary during juror service" (NJ Courts Jury FAQ). The Legislature's statute website was unreachable for this review, so the statute text quoted here comes from the 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes as compiled on law.justia.com, an unofficial copy. The page also relies on the Judiciary's own pages, a 2026 Executive Order and a 2026 New Jersey Supreme Court opinion, and says which source supports each point.

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

Jurisdiction scope: This page covers petit and grand jury service in New Jersey state courts, which summon jurors through each county's Jury Management Office. A summons from a federal court in New Jersey follows federal law, summarized on our jury duty laws by state hub.

Do you have to go? The short answer

Yes, unless the court excuses you or you are disqualified. Every summoned juror must respond: "All jurors must complete the qualification questionnaire even if you are making a request to be excused or rescheduled" (NJ Courts Jury FAQ). Requests are reviewed only after the questionnaire is done.

You can respond and make requests through the statewide My Jury Service portal, using the 10-digit Participant ID and 5-digit zip code printed on your summons, or through your county's Jury Management Office. To see which category might fit your situation before you apply, try our jury duty exemption checker.

Who can serve on a jury in New Jersey

The Judiciary describes the qualifications in N.J.S.A. 2B:20-1 this way: "N.J.S.A. 2B:20-1 establishes six criteria for a person to qualify for jury service: be a resident of New Jersey; be a citizen of the United States; be physically and mentally able to perform the functions of a juror (noting that the Judiciary will provide accommodations consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act); have no conviction for an indictable offense ... be at least 18 years of age; and be able to read and understand the English language" (NJ Courts, General Jury Information).

The statute requires you to be "a resident of the county in which the person is summoned" (N.J.S.A. 2B:20-1(d)); the Judiciary's summary says only "resident of New Jersey," and its 2014 Bench Manual on Jury Selection also says "must be a resident in the summoning county" (NJ Judiciary Bench Manual). If you have moved, update your juror record; the Judiciary says doing so prevents later enforcement efforts over an unanswered summons.

How you were picked

As the New Jersey Supreme Court described the statute in 2026, each county compiles a single list of prospective jurors drawn from registered voters, licensed drivers, State gross income tax filers and homestead rebate or credit filers. The statute requires the summons to be sent "at least 30 days" before the juror is to appear, and the Judiciary sends summonses six to eight weeks in advance (State v. Gilliano, N.J. Supreme Court, 2026). If you do not respond online within 21 days, a printed questionnaire follows.

Criminal convictions and Executive Order 411

The statute's conviction rule is quoted in the Supreme Court's 2026 opinion: "[e]very person summoned as a juror . . . shall not have been convicted of any indictable offense under the laws of this State, another state, or the United States." N.J.S.A. 2B:20-1(e) (State v. Gilliano).

Since January 11, 2026, Governor Murphy's Executive Order No. 411 grants executive clemency, limited to the right to qualify as a juror, to a person disqualified "by reason of a conviction of an indictable offense under the laws of this State." It applies "upon the discharge of the non-monetary components of their criminal sentence, including any term of incarceration, probation, or parole," provided "The disqualifying conviction occurred on or before January 10, 2026." The order covers criminal, civil and grand juries, and the parties can still challenge an individual juror for cause.

The order has limits:

• It does not cover convictions in federal court or another state's court, or impeachment or treason.
• It is not a full pardon and does not relieve fines or restitution (EO 411, para. 5).
• It is an executive order, not an amendment to N.J.S.A. 2B:20-1(e), and it covers New Jersey convictions entered on or before January 10, 2026.

This page does not cover other forms of relief, such as a pardon or expungement, that may affect a conviction the order does not reach. If you have a conviction outside the order, ask the Jury Management Office how it applies to you.

What does not disqualify you

The Judiciary gives examples. Persons who are disqualified include "anyone who was convicted of, or pled guilty to, a crime in Federal Court or another state court; or anyone currently on PTI (Pre-trial Intervention Program.)" Persons who are not disqualified include "anyone whose only convictions are in Municipal Court (most traffic violations fall into this category, as do most shoplifting charges;) or anyone who has been accused of a crime but has not yet been convicted" (NJ Courts, General Jury Information). The Judiciary also treats New Jersey traffic, juvenile and DWI offenses, and a completed PTI program, as non-disqualifying.

Excuses and rescheduling in New Jersey

New Jersey's excuse grounds come from N.J.S.A. 2B:20-10 as the Judiciary describes them (NJ Courts, Who Can Be Excused). None is automatic: each is a request, usually with documentation, and the Judiciary says each situation is reviewed individually.

By statute, an excuse "shall be granted only if" one of the listed grounds applies, and the hardship grounds (medical, financial, caregiving, healthcare and teaching) apply only when the circumstances "are not likely to change within the following year" (N.J.S.A. 2B:20-10(c)). A shorter-term problem is a reason to reschedule.

Age 75 or older

The Judiciary's list reads: "You are 75 years of age or older. You will be required to provide your DOB the Jury Management Office." This is a request, not an automatic age-out. If you would rather be excused only for the upcoming date and not permanently, the Judiciary's Excusal Requests page says you can submit your date of birth to the summoning jury management office for just that summons date.

The excuse statute, N.J.S.A. 2B:20-10, lists age 75 or older as its only age-based ground. Check the current excusal page if you are close to 75.

Recent service

"You may request an excusal if you completed jury service in the same county in the past three years. You will not be excused if your recent jury service was in federal or district court instead of state court" (Excusal Requests). The Judiciary's FAQ adds that "Recent service in another state does not excuse you from serving in New Jersey."

Financial hardship

"If service as a juror will create a severe financial hardship, as set forth in N.J.S.A. 2B:20-10, you may request to be excused. But please be aware that nonpayment by your employer, by itself, is not a valid reason to be excused from service. Each situation will be reviewed individually" (NJ Courts Jury FAQ). The form is the "Certification in Support of Request to Be Excused from Jury Service Due to Severe Financial Hardship." If you report and are called for a long trial, you may also speak to the trial judge about hardship based on the trial's length.

Medical conditions, caregivers and nursing mothers

A long-term medical condition is an excuse ground; a temporary one is a reason to reschedule instead. For the excuse, "You and your doctor will be required to complete the Physician certification in Support of Medical Excuse Request certification," or the Judiciary will accept a doctor's note stating the condition and how long it prevents you from serving (Who Can Be Excused).

Caregivers of a minor child or a sick, aged or infirm dependent may ask to be excused when they "have no alternative care available without suffering severe financial hardship." The office will allow time to arrange alternative care. A nursing mother, or a mother expressing milk, for a child one year of age or younger may also request an excuse by certification, and the Judiciary offers a suitable private location for breastfeeding jurors who serve.

Military service members

The Judiciary excuses active-duty service members on request: "you must be on active duty on the summons date and the military service must be in the United States military, which includes members of the National Guard who are assigned to active duty" (Who Can Be Excused). Separately, a New Jersey statute says "Every officer and enlisted member of the organized militia, during his service therein, shall be exempt from jury duty" (N.J.S.A. 38A:4-6). That exemption is not limited to active duty. Title 38A describes the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard as parts of the organized militia (N.J.S.A. 38A:1-1). If you serve, tell the Jury Management Office when you respond to the summons.

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).

Rescheduling (deferral)

"You can defer (reschedule) your jury service once in the My Jury Service Portal, or by contacting your jury management office" (NJ Courts, Rescheduling Requests). Reasons the Judiciary lists include a temporary medical inability, transportation problems, being temporarily out of the area for business, vacation or school, an emergency, and an employment conflict.

By statute, a deferral moves your service to another time within the next twelve months, and the court may also defer you after denying an excuse request (N.J.S.A. 2B:20-11).

Complete the qualification questionnaire first. The Judiciary also warns: "If additional information is required and not received five days prior to your summons date, your request will be denied and you will be required to report for your scheduled jury service."

How much does jury duty pay in New Jersey?

N.J.S.A. 22A:1-1.1 sets the juror fee, and the Judiciary summarizes it: "Jurors are paid $5 for the first three days of attendance and $40 for each day after" (NJ Courts, General Jury Information). By statute the fee is $5 a day plus $35 for each consecutive day of attendance after the third, for $40 a day. Saturdays, Sundays, State holidays and days when a trial is in recess are not counted when counting consecutive days. Jurors are paid by the State Judiciary; the Judiciary's pages do not describe any county variation.

We did not find any mileage, parking or meal reimbursement on the Judiciary's juror pages. Ask your county's Jury Management Office if travel costs are a concern.

When you are paid

"Juror payrolls are processed each Friday, except holidays. Therefore, a juror may receive more than one check if that juror served in different weeks" (NJ Courts Jury FAQ).

Government employees

The Judiciary explains: "If you are employed full time by the State of New Jersey, you will receive your usual compensation while you serve as a juror. However, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2B:20-16 you will not receive juror payment." The same rule applies to people employed full time by any State agency, independent authority or instrumentality, or by a political subdivision such as a county or municipality. Part-time public employees should check their own leave rules.

New Jersey employer rules for jury duty

Your job is protected

The Judiciary states: "N.J.S.A. 2B:20.17 prohibits an employer from penalizing you because you serve as a juror. Penalties for a violation of this statute include the possibility of a criminal charge, as a disorderly person's offense, and a possible civil action for monetary damages and for reinstatement of employment" (NJ Courts, General Jury Information).

The statute itself, N.J.S.A. 2B:20-17, says an employer may not penalize an employee "or threaten or otherwise coerce" an employee because the employee is required to attend court for jury service. A violation is a disorderly persons offense. An employee who is penalized may sue for economic damages and reinstatement, and "The action shall be commenced within 90 days from the date of the violation or the completion of jury service, whichever is later." An employee who wins is entitled to a reasonable attorney's fee fixed by the court.

The statute does not set a notice requirement or an employer-size threshold. Tell your employer about your summons promptly anyway, and if you were penalized, act well inside the 90 days. For how this rule fits with other limits on firing, see our page on New Jersey at-will employment laws.

Does your employer have to pay you?

No statute requires it for private-sector workers, according to the Judiciary: "In New Jersey there is no statutory requirement that a private employer pay your salary during juror service. Whether or not your employer pays you for jury duty depends on your employment situation, including employers' policies, union contracts, etc. The State of New Jersey will pay you the appropriate juror fee as set forth in the New Jersey statutes" (NJ Courts Jury FAQ). Full-time public employees keep their pay, as described above.

Remember that an unpaid absence, by itself, is not grounds for an excuse. If losing wages would cause severe financial hardship, use the hardship certification.

If you are unemployed

Jury service does not cost you unemployment benefits. The Judiciary reproduces N.J.S.A. 43:21-4(c)(5): "An unemployed individual, who is otherwise eligible, shall not be deemed unavailable for work or ineligible solely by reason of the individual's attendance before a court in response to a summons for service on a jury" (NJ Courts Jury FAQ).

What happens if you miss jury duty in New Jersey

The Judiciary's answer is short: "Failure to respond to the summons will result in further court action" (NJ Courts, Penalties for Failing to Report). Under N.J.S.A. 2B:20-14, a person who without reasonable excuse fails to return the questionnaire, fails to appear, or refuses to serve is liable for a fine of up to $500, payable to the county, or may be punished for contempt of court. Under N.J.S.A. 2B:20-15, the sheriff serves a written notice of the fine, and an unpaid fine can be collected by levy on personal property.

The Judiciary also notes that New Jersey statutes require a response and that keeping your address current prevents "later enforcement efforts if there is no response to the summons." If you missed your date or the questionnaire deadline, contact your county's Jury Management Office right away.

Questionnaires are due four days before the date of petit or county grand jury service, and 35 days before State Grand Jury service (General Jury Information).

How long jury duty lasts in New Jersey

The Judiciary's pages we reviewed do not state a standard length of petit jury service, so ask your Jury Management Office what to expect. Grand jury service is longer and is set out on the General Jury Information page:

• County grand jury: "Depending upon the county, the term of service for a panel can be from eight weeks to 20 weeks long."
• State Grand Jury: "you will serve one day per week for 16 to 20 weeks," at $5 per day.

There is no fixed interval protecting you from another summons. The Judiciary's FAQ says "Each juror record has the same chance of being selected at any time," which is why recent same-county service is an excuse you must request.

How to respond to a New Jersey jury summons

1. Log in to the My Jury Service portal with the 10-digit Participant ID and 5-digit zip code on your summons, or contact your county's Jury Management Office.
2. Complete the qualification questionnaire, even if you plan to ask for an excuse or a new date.
3. If you need an excuse, submit the request with the documentation listed for your ground. If you need a new date, use your one reschedule.
4. Send any documentation the office requests at least five days before your summons date.
5. Check the Juror Reporting Page "after 5:00 p.m. the evening before your summons date" for reporting instructions (NJ Courts Jury FAQ).

County contacts are listed on the Judiciary's Jurors page.

Watch for jury duty scams

The Judiciary warns: "The Judiciary does not use any money-transfer applications. Examples include PayPal, Venmo, or Cash App. Court officials will never ask for payment to avoid arrest for failing to report for jury duty." It also says court officials will never ask for personal identifiers such as a bank account or credit card number or a Social Security number; the only identifiers it requests are your date of birth and residential address (Protect Yourself Against Jury Duty Scams).

If you are targeted, the Judiciary says to "Immediately contact your county jury management office as well as local law enforcement." Our guide to government impersonation scams explains how these schemes work, and our page on New Jersey scam and fraud laws covers where to report.

Recent changes

The biggest 2026 change is Executive Order 411, in effect since January 11, 2026, which restores the ability to qualify for jury service for many people with older New Jersey convictions, as described above. A 2025 amendment (P.L.2025, c.43) added the excuse for a mother nursing or expressing milk for a child one year of age or younger. We did not verify any 2026 change to juror pay or the age-75 excuse; as of October 7, 2026, the Judiciary still lists $5 and $40 daily rates and the age-75 rule.

Disclaimer: This page is general legal information about New Jersey jury service, not legal advice. The court that summoned you decides every excuse and rescheduling request. Information verified October 7, 2026, from New Jersey Judiciary pages, Executive Order 411, a 2026 New Jersey Supreme Court opinion and statute text read on the 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes compiled by Justia, because the Legislature's statute site was unreachable. For questions about your summons, contact your county's Jury Management Office; for an employment dispute, consult a lawyer licensed in New Jersey.

Related pages

• Jury duty laws by state
• New Jersey at-will employment laws
• New Jersey court records
• New Jersey scam and fraud laws
• New York jury duty laws
• Pennsylvania jury duty laws

Last updated: October 7, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does jury duty pay in New Jersey?

The New Jersey Judiciary says petit jurors are paid $5 per day for the first three days and $40 per day from the fourth day on, and grand jurors receive $5 per day (N.J.S.A. 22A:1-1.1). By statute, the extra $35 that makes up the $40 is paid for consecutive days of attendance after the third. Payroll runs each Friday except holidays.

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

A person 75 or older may request an excuse by giving the Jury Management Office their date of birth (N.J.S.A. 2B:20-10, per NJ Courts). It is not automatic, and you can ask to be excused just for the upcoming date instead of permanently.

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

The Judiciary says there is no statutory requirement that a private employer pay your salary during jury service; it depends on your employer's policy or union contract. Full-time State, county and municipal employees keep their regular pay and do not receive the juror fee (N.J.S.A. 2B:20-16).

Can I be fired for jury duty in New Jersey?

The Judiciary says New Jersey law prohibits an employer from penalizing you because you serve as a juror. Under N.J.S.A. 2B:20-17, a violation is a disorderly persons offense, and you may sue for economic damages and reinstatement. The suit must be filed within 90 days of the violation or the end of your jury service, whichever is later, and an employee who wins is entitled to a reasonable attorney's fee.

Is losing pay a valid excuse from jury duty in New Jersey?

Not by itself. The Judiciary says nonpayment by your employer alone is not a valid reason, but severe financial hardship that compromises your ability to support yourself or your dependents is a ground, supported by a sworn certification.

How do I postpone jury duty in New Jersey?

You can reschedule once through the My Jury Service portal or your county Jury Management Office, after completing the qualification questionnaire. Documentation the office asks for must arrive at least five days before your summons date or the request is denied.

What happens if I ignore a jury summons in New Jersey?

The Judiciary says failure to respond to the summons will result in further court action. Under N.J.S.A. 2B:20-14, failing without reasonable excuse to return the questionnaire, appear or serve can bring a fine of up to $500, payable to the county, or contempt of court. Contact your county Jury Management Office right away if you missed a deadline.

Can a felon serve on a jury in New Jersey?

N.J.S.A. 2B:20-1(e) bars anyone convicted of an indictable offense, but Executive Order 411 restores eligibility for New Jersey convictions from on or before January 10, 2026 once incarceration, probation and parole are complete. Convictions in federal or another state's court are not covered by the order.

Can I collect unemployment while on jury duty in New Jersey?

Yes, if you are otherwise eligible. N.J.S.A. 43:21-4(c)(5), as reproduced by the Judiciary, says attending court on a jury summons does not make you unavailable for work or ineligible.