North Carolina Jury Duty Laws: Pay, Exemptions and Employer Rules

North Carolina sets the rules for state-court jury service in Chapter 9 of the General Statutes, starting with the qualifications in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 9-3, and sets juror pay in § 7A-312. Pay is a flat statewide schedule: $12 for the first day, $20 a day after that, and $40 a day once you have served more than five days in any 24-month period.

An employer may not fire or demote you because you were called for or are serving on a jury (§ 9-32), but that section does not require the employer to pay you. A person 72 or older may ask in writing to be exempted; the court decides, and it is not automatic (§ 9-6.1).

Information last verified on October 6, 2026. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This page covers trial (petit) and grand jury service in North Carolina state courts, which summon jurors county by county. A summons from a federal court (a U.S. District Court in North Carolina) 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 or defers you. North Carolina's jury chapter does not exempt any job or group automatically. Every excuse, deferral, exemption and disqualification claim is a request, made on a form furnished by the Administrative Office of the Courts (§ 9-6(a1)).

The Judicial Branch says request procedures "vary from county to county," that your summons gives the instructions, and that you generally contact the clerk of superior court's office or the chief district court judge's office (NC Judicial Branch, Jury Service). To see which category might fit your situation before you contact the court, try our jury duty exemption checker.

Who can serve on a jury in North Carolina

Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 9-3(a), a person is qualified to serve as a juror if the person:

• is a citizen of the United States;
• is a resident of North Carolina and of the county that summoned them;
• is 18 or older;
• is physically and mentally competent;
• can understand the English language;
• has not been adjudged non compos mentis (legally incompetent);
• has not served as a juror in the preceding two years, or completed a full grand jury term in the preceding six years; and
• has no disqualifying felony record, as explained below.

Section 9-3 does not set a minimum length of residence. A person who is not qualified is subject to challenge for cause, and a judge hearing excuse applications "shall excuse any person disqualified under 9-3" (§ 9-3(b); § 9-6(d)). You still have to raise the disqualification on the court's form; it is not removed from the list on its own.

If you ask to be disqualified because you are not a U.S. citizen, be aware that the clerk reports those requests to the State Board of Elections for voter-roll maintenance (§ 9-6.2(b)).

Felony convictions

A person convicted of a felony, or who pleaded guilty or no contest to an indictment charging a felony, is not qualified unless that person "has had that person's citizenship restored pursuant to law" (§ 9-3(a)(9)). Chapter 9 does not set a waiting period. Under G.S. 13-1, citizenship rights are restored automatically when a person is unconditionally discharged from prison, probation or parole (or from a suspended sentence), or is unconditionally pardoned, and the same applies to federal and other-state convictions. A pending charge is not listed as a disqualification in § 9-3.

Exemptions, excuses and postponements in North Carolina

North Carolina sets one general standard and a few specific request routes. The statewide policy is that "excuses from the discharge of this responsibility should be granted only for reasons of compelling personal hardship or because requiring service would be contrary to the public welfare, health, or safety" (§ 9-6(a)).

Who decides your request

Requests are heard by the chief district court judge, a district judge the chief judge designates, judicial support staff, or, where the chief district judge delegates it, the clerk of superior court, who must notify you of the result (§ 9-6(b)). A judge may require a person who was excused to serve in a later session of court (§ 9-6(c)). The judge presiding over a session also keeps the discretion to excuse a juror at or during that session (§ 9-6(f)).

The age 72 exemption

Under § 9-10(b), people 72 or older "are entitled to establish in writing exemption from jury service for good cause," and the summons must tell them so. Section 9-6.1(a) lets a person 72 or older who wants to be excused, deferred or exempted make the request without appearing in person, "by filing a signed statement of the grounds for the request" at any time five business days before the report date (§ 9-6.1(a)).

This is not an automatic age-out. You may ask for a temporary or a permanent exemption, and the judge, clerk or judicial support staff "may accept or reject either in the exercise of discretion," including by substituting a temporary exemption for the permanent one you asked for (§ 9-6.1(c)). If you do nothing, the summons stands. Chapter 9 sets no upper age at which a person stops being qualified.

Disability and medical requests

A person with a disability that could interfere with jury service may use the same no-appearance route: a signed statement with a brief explanation, filed at least five business days before the report date (§ 9-6.1(b)). "At the request of the court, medical documentation of any disability may be submitted," and that medical information is confidential and exempt from the public records law. The court decides whether to excuse, defer or exempt you.

If you can serve but need an accommodation to do it (not an excusal), the Judicial Branch asks you to tell the court as soon as possible before your report date, through your county's Disability Access Coordinator or its online Disability Access Request Form (NC Judicial Branch).

Students

The student provision covers only full-time students enrolled at an out-of-state postsecondary school, including trade and professional schools, who are summoned for a session during classes or exams. Such a student "shall be excused from jury service upon request made pursuant to G.S. 9-6.1(a) and supported by documentation showing enrollment at the out-of-state educational institution" (§ 9-6(b1)). The judge may still require service in a later session. A student at an in-state school has no separate statutory category and would ask under the general hardship standard.

Military service members

The statewide form lists "I am on military assignment" as a ground you can check (AOC-G-400), but no section of Chapter 9 creates a military exemption, so the court decides under the hardship standard. Separately, federal law 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). Ask your command about it if that applies to you.

Caregivers, first responders and other occupations

Chapter 9 does not name caregivers, nursing mothers, first responders, teachers, public officials or any other occupation as a category. A person in one of those situations may ask to be excused or deferred under the compelling-hardship standard in § 9-6(a), and the court decides.

Postponing to a later date

The statewide form gives two options: tell the court you are not able to serve now but can serve in the future (and give the earliest date you are available), or ask to be exempted from all future service (AOC-G-400). Jurors whose service has been deferred are added to the panel for the later session (§ 9-5). We did not find a statutory limit on how many times, or how far, service can be deferred.

The Judicial Branch says you "must have a compelling reason why you cannot serve on the assigned date," and its employers' guide gives prior vacation plans as an example of a pressing reason (Employers' Guide to Jury Service).

How much does jury duty pay in North Carolina?

Juror pay in North Carolina is set by statute and is the same in every county. Under § 7A-312(a), a juror "shall receive twelve dollars ($12.00) for the first day of service and twenty dollars ($20.00) per day afterwards, except that if any person serves as a juror for more than five days in any 24-month period, the juror shall receive forty dollars ($40.00) per day for each day of service in excess of five days."

Mileage, parking and meals

Most jurors receive no travel reimbursement. The Judicial Branch's employers' guide answers the question directly: "The court does not provide transportation or pay the cost of transportation for jury service" (Employers' Guide). The same statute requires the court to furnish accommodations and subsistence to jurors who must stay overnight, and meals for a sequestered jury (§ 7A-312(a)). Jurors who must take a State ferry to court are exempt from the ferry toll during their period of service (§ 7A-312(a)).

How and when you are paid

The Judicial Branch says the clerk of superior court "will issue payment via pre-paid debit card or by check by U.S. mail a few days after your jury service concludes" (NC Judicial Branch). A 2025 law amended G.S. 7A-301 to authorize debit cards for payees such as jurors (S.L. 2025-54).

Section 7A-312(b) also lets the Administrative Office of the Courts pick a judicial district to run a pilot program in which jurors may waive their pay and designate it to listed court and victim services. That is a single-district pilot, so ask your clerk whether your district has one before assuming you can donate your pay.

North Carolina employer rules for jury duty

Your job is protected

"No employer may discharge or demote any employee because the employee has been called for jury duty, or is serving as a grand juror or petit juror" (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 9-32(a)). The protection starts when you are called, not only once you are seated. The section sets no minimum employer size and does not make notice to your employer a condition of the protection.

The statute's words cover discharge and demotion. It does not separately address other discipline, forced use of vacation, or shift scheduling, so if your employer does something short of firing or demoting you, get advice before assuming the statute covers it.

Does your employer have to pay you?

North Carolina's jury statutes do not require a private employer to keep paying you while you serve. The Judicial Branch puts it this way: "the law does not require that the employee be paid in full while serving," and tells jurors to "check with your employer regarding the payment policy for jury service" (NC Judicial Branch).

The Judicial Branch's employers' guide adds that "There is no requirement that the employer pay the employee for jury duty unless the employer has promised to do so." It also says a private employer may offset the juror fee you receive for a week against your salary for that week, but that federal law typically bars docking an exempt, salaried employee's pay for jury time unless the employee did no work that entire week (Employers' Guide).

Many employers pay jurors anyway under their own leave policies. Public employees are covered by separate rules. A State employee covered by the State Human Resources Act with a permanent, probationary, trainee or time-limited permanent appointment receives civil leave with pay plus the juror fees, and a second- or third-shift employee does not have to work the adjacent shift (25 NCAC 01E .1001). Full-time and part-time public-school employees keep their full salary in addition to the jury payment (State Board of Education policy 7.2, 16 NCAC 6C .0404). County and city employees should check their employer's own leave rules.

Telling your employer

The Judicial Branch tells jurors to notify their employer as soon as a summons arrives, and its employers' guide says "Employees can present the summons upon receipt to their employers as proof of the date and time of their call to service" (Employers' Guide). That is guidance, not a legal precondition: § 9-32 does not require notice.

If your employer fires or demotes you

An employer who violates § 9-32 "shall be liable in a civil action for reasonable damages suffered by an employee as a result of the violation," and an employee who was discharged or demoted "shall be entitled to be reinstated to his former position" (§ 9-32(b)). The employee carries the burden of proof.

The deadline is short. "The statute of limitations for actions under this section shall be one year pursuant to G.S. 1-54" (§ 9-32(c)). Section 9-32 does not set a criminal penalty. If you were fired or demoted, talk to a North Carolina employment lawyer promptly. For how this rule fits with other limits on firing, see our page on North Carolina at-will employment laws.

What happens if you miss jury duty in North Carolina

Under § 9-13, a person summoned as a juror who has not been excused and fails to appear and attend until discharged "shall be subject to a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00), to be imposed by the court, unless he renders an excuse deemed sufficient." If the fine is not paid, it becomes a judgment that can be enforced against the juror's property. The court decides whether your excuse is sufficient, so explaining what happened matters.

The Judicial Branch adds that "The court could hold you in contempt and / or impose a $50 fine for each time you fail to appear" (NC Judicial Branch). If you missed your date, contact the clerk of superior court in your county right away.

The excuse form also asks you to confirm that its contents are true, and states: "I understand there are penalties for providing or submitting false or inaccurate information and for not appearing for or completing jury service unless excused by the court" (AOC-G-400). Answer it accurately.

How long jury duty lasts in North Carolina

Your summons is served at least 15 days before the session (§ 9-10(a)). Jurors serve for the weekly session they were called to: "Jurors who serve each week shall be discharged at the close of the weekly session or sessions, unless actually engaged in the trial of a case, and then they shall not be discharged until their service in that case is completed" (§ 9-5).

In practice, the Judicial Branch says "most jurors only serve for one or two days," but if you are seated for a trial you must serve until it ends, which "could be two days to several weeks" (NC Judicial Branch).

After you serve, you are exempt for two years from the date you were discharged. A person who served a full grand jury term is exempt for six years (§ 9-7). Grand jury terms themselves are about 12 months, or six months if the senior resident superior court judge so fixes (§ 15A-622(b)).

How to respond to a North Carolina jury summons

Jury summonses and excuse requests are handled by the court in each county, and the procedures differ. The steps that apply statewide:

1. Read your summons for the report date, the court, and your county's instructions for responding.
2. If you need an excuse, deferral or exemption, or you are disqualified, complete the statewide Application for Excuse, Deferral, Exemption, and Disqualification (AOC-G-400) and follow your county's instructions for submitting it.
3. If you are 72 or older or have a disability, you may submit a signed statement without appearing, at least five business days before your report date (§ 9-6.1).
4. Keep a copy of what you send, and treat your report date as firm until the court confirms its decision.

To reach your county's clerk of superior court, use the court system's locations directory.

Watch for jury duty scam calls

The Judicial Branch warns that "In North Carolina, official jury summonses, as well as failure to appear notices, are always delivered to your home or post office box by first class mail," and that "Court officials and law enforcement officers never make phone calls to threaten arrest or warn you of an impending arrest for failing to appear for jury service" (NC Judicial Branch, Avoid Jury Duty Scams). The statute itself also allows a summons to be served in person or by telephone (§ 9-10(a)), so if you are unsure, verify with the clerk using a number you look up yourself. No legitimate caller will demand payment or threaten arrest.

If someone calls demanding payment for a missed summons, hang up and call the clerk of superior court in your county at a number you look up yourself. The Judicial Branch says you can report the call to your local sheriff, the North Carolina Attorney General (1-877-5-NO-SCAM), or the Federal Trade Commission. Our guide to government impersonation scams explains how these calls work, and our page on North Carolina scam and fraud laws covers where else to report.

Recent changes

We found no enacted 2025 or 2026 change to North Carolina's juror pay, qualifications, age rules, excuses or employer protections. The one 2025 change to Chapter 9 adds a new Article 6 (§ 9-37) directing the Administrative Office of the Courts to prescribe rules governing training or educational material given to jurors, effective December 1, 2025 (S.L. 2025-54). The same law authorized debit-card payments to jurors.

We could not search pending 2025-2026 bills in full, so a bill moving through the General Assembly may not be reflected here. The court that summoned you applies the law in force on your report date.

Disclaimer: This page is general legal information about North Carolina jury service, not legal advice. The court that summoned you decides every excuse, deferral and exemption request. Information verified October 6, 2026. For questions about your summons, contact the clerk of superior court in your county; for an employment dispute, consult a lawyer licensed in North Carolina.

Related pages

• Jury duty laws by state
• North Carolina at-will employment laws
• North Carolina court records
• North Carolina scam and fraud laws
• South Carolina jury duty laws

Last updated: October 7, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does jury duty pay in North Carolina?

North Carolina pays trial jurors $12 for the first day and $20 for each day after that. If you serve more than five days in any 24-month period, you receive $40 for each day beyond five, and grand jurors receive $20 per day (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-312(a)).

Does North Carolina pay mileage for jury duty?

Not for ordinary jurors. Section 7A-312(a) pays mileage at the State-employee rate only to out-of-county jurors summoned to a special venire, and the Judicial Branch says the court does not pay transportation costs.

Can I get out of jury duty in North Carolina if I am over 72?

A person 72 or older may file a signed written request, without appearing, at least five business days before the report date (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 9-6.1(a)). It is not automatic: the judge, clerk or support staff may accept or reject the request, or grant a temporary exemption instead of a permanent one (§ 9-6.1(c)).

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

North Carolina's jury statutes do not require a private employer to pay you while you serve, and the Judicial Branch says there is no such requirement unless the employer promised to pay. State employees covered by the State Human Resources Act and public-school employees are entitled to their regular pay plus the juror fee under State rules; county and city employees should check their employer's leave policy.

Can I be fired for jury duty in North Carolina?

No. An employer may not discharge or demote an employee because the employee was called for or is serving on a jury, and a wronged employee may sue for reasonable damages and reinstatement within one year (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 9-32).

What happens if I miss jury duty in North Carolina?

A summoned juror who fails to appear without an excuse the court finds sufficient faces a fine of up to $50 (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 9-13). The Judicial Branch says the court could also hold you in contempt, so contact your county clerk of superior court right away.

How do I get excused from jury duty in North Carolina?

Complete the statewide form AOC-G-400 and follow the instructions on your summons (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 9-6(a1)). State policy is that discretionary excuses should be granted only for compelling personal hardship or where service would be contrary to the public welfare, health or safety, and the court decides.

Are college students exempt from jury duty in North Carolina?

Only full-time students at out-of-state schools have a specific rule: they shall be excused on request with proof of enrollment if summoned during classes or exams, but may be required to serve later (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 9-6(b1)). In-state students may ask under the general hardship standard.

How often can you be called for jury duty in North Carolina?

After you serve, you are exempt for two years from your discharge date, or six years after a full grand jury term (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 9-7).

Can a felon serve on a jury in North Carolina?

Not unless the person's citizenship rights have been restored. Section 9-3(a)(9) disqualifies a person convicted of a felony, or who pleaded guilty or no contest to a felony indictment, until citizenship is restored pursuant to law. In North Carolina those rights are restored automatically once the sentence, including probation or parole, is unconditionally discharged (G.S. 13-1).