Oregon Jury Duty Laws: Pay, Excuses and Employer Rules

Oregon sets the rules for jury service in its state courts in chapter 10 of the Oregon Revised Statutes, starting with the eligibility rules in ORS 10.030. Circuit court jurors are paid $10 a day for the first two days of a term and $25 a day from the third day on, plus 20 cents a mile, all paid by the state (ORS 10.061, ORS 10.065).

An employer may not fire, threaten, intimidate or coerce you because of jury service, and may not make you use vacation or sick leave for it (ORS 10.090). There is no automatic age-out, but a person 70 or older must be excused on request (ORS 10.050(3)).

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 Oregon state courts, mainly the circuit courts. A summons from the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon follows federal law, summarized on our jury duty laws by state hub.

Do you have to go? The short answer

Yes, unless you are not eligible, you are exempt, or the court excuses or defers you. Oregon gives a short list of situations in which the judge or clerk "shall excuse" a person on request, plus a general hardship standard (ORS 10.050). The Oregon Judicial Department's FAQ says a request does not mean you are automatically excused, and that whatever you decide, you must respond to your summons (Oregon Judicial Department, Jury Service).

Most requests go through the online juror eResponse portal, and you must complete the qualification form there first. 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 Oregon

Oregon's eligibility rules differ for civil trials and for criminal trials and grand juries. For a civil trial, ORS 10.030(2) says a person is eligible unless the person:

• is not a citizen of the United States;
• does not live in the county in which summoned;
• is under 18; or
• "Has had rights and privileges withdrawn and not restored under ORS 137.281."

Grand jurors and criminal trial jurors must also clear two look-back periods (ORS 10.030(3)). A person is not eligible if, within the 15 years before the report date, the person was convicted of a felony or served a felony sentence. A felony sentence for this purpose includes probation, parole and post-prison supervision, not just prison time (ORS 10.030(3)(b)). The same is true if, within the five years before the report date, the person was convicted of, or served a sentence for, a misdemeanor involving violence or dishonesty.

Disability is not a bar

A person who is blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired, or who has a physical disability, "is not ineligible to act as a juror and may not be excluded from a jury list or jury service" on that basis alone (ORS 10.030(4)). Oregon's jury chapter also bars denying service on account of occupation, so it has no exemption list for students, first responders or public officials.

Felony convictions and when rights return

Under ORS 137.281, when a felony sentence includes incarceration, the person loses the right to act as a juror from the date of sentencing until release from incarceration or until the conviction is set aside. For a civil jury, that is the only felony bar in ORS 10.030, and the court's FAQ says a set-aside conviction or restored rights makes a person eligible for civil juries.

For criminal and grand juries, the separate 15-year look-back still applies after release. If you have a record and a summons, answer the eligibility form truthfully and ask the jury coordinator how the rule applies to you.

The eligibility form

A judge or clerk checks eligibility before or when you report, using a juror eligibility form, and discharges anyone found not eligible (ORS 10.245). Another person may complete the form for someone who cannot. A knowingly false statement of material fact on the form may be punished for contempt, and the form's declaration warns that such a statement may be punished by a fine or imprisonment or both.

Exemptions, excuses and postponements in Oregon

Hardship and caregiving

The general standard says a judge or clerk "shall excuse a person from acting as a juror upon a showing of undue hardship or extreme inconvenience to the person, the person's family, the person's employer or the public served by the person" (ORS 10.050(1)). The request may be made by phone, mail or another method the court sets.

The caregiver rule in ORS 10.050(5) has three parts: you are the sole caregiver for a child or other dependent during the court's normal hours, you cannot afford day care or make other arrangements, and you personally attend to the dependent during those hours. Even then, the court may decline if the public need for juries outweighs your circumstances.

Medical conditions

Oregon's statute has no separate medical excuse. The court's FAQ says Oregon courts "may choose to approve requests for excusal based on a medical hardship," but Oregon law does not require courts to permanently excuse people with permanent medical or physical disabilities (Oregon Judicial Department, Jury Service). Ask under the hardship standard and include what the court requests.

Age: the 70-and-over opt-out

Oregon has no upper age limit and no automatic age-out. ORS 10.050(3) says the judge or clerk "shall excuse a person from acting as a juror upon the request of that person if the person is 70 years of age or older." The court's FAQ puts it this way: you can choose whether to participate, but you must respond to your summons either way.

We searched all of ORS chapter 10 and found no other age rule. The statute does not say how long a 70-plus excusal lasts, so you may need to ask again if summoned later.

National Guard and military members

"Active members of the organized militia shall be exempt from duty to act as a juror" (ORS 399.215). The court's FAQ says active Guard members are not required to serve but may choose to participate. The statute sets no procedure, so raise it when you respond to the summons.

Federal law separately says an active-duty member of the armed forces may not be required to serve on a state or local jury if the member's branch Secretary determines that service would unreasonably interfere with military duties or adversely affect unit readiness, and that determination is conclusive (10 U.S.C. § 982). Ask your command about it if that applies to you.

Postponing your service

A judge or clerk may, for good cause, let you defer to any term beginning within one year after the end of the term you were summoned for (ORS 10.055). Only one deferral is allowed, unless good cause supports another and you supply at least 10 dates within the next six months when you are available. The court's FAQ says only the court can postpone your service.

Excused during a trial

Separately, a judge may on the judge's own motion excuse a juror whose presence would substantially impair the progress of the trial or prejudice the parties (ORS 10.050(2)). That is the court's decision, not a request route.

How much does jury duty pay in Oregon?

Oregon sets circuit court juror pay by statute, and the state pays it, so the rate does not vary by county (ORS 10.061, ORS 10.075).

Courts must give you the chance to waive your fee and mileage as a donation to Judicial Department programs, which the court's FAQ calls the Juror Access and Experience Improvement Fund (ORS 10.075(3)).

If your employer keeps paying you

"Unless otherwise provided by the terms of an employment agreement, a juror must waive the juror's fee" if the employer pays a wage or salary for the days the juror must attend court (ORS 10.061(3)). The waiver covers the daily fee only. Your claim for mileage is unaffected.

Oregon employer rules for jury duty

Your job is protected

"An employer commits an unlawful employment practice under ORS chapter 659A if the employer discharges, threatens to discharge, intimidates or coerces any employee by reason of the employee's service or scheduled service as a juror on a grand jury, trial jury or jury of inquest" (ORS 10.090(1)).

The section has no employer-size threshold and no advance-notice condition. Whoever summons you must also tell you about these rights (ORS 10.090(4)).

Leave: your choice, not the employer's

An employer "may not require that an employee use vacation leave, sick leave or annual leave" for time spent responding to a jury summons, and must allow unpaid leave for that time (ORS 10.090(2)). The court's FAQ says it is the employee's choice whether to take unpaid leave.

Does your employer have to pay you?

Oregon's jury statute does not require private employers to pay you while you serve. The section "may not be construed to alter or affect an employer's policies or agreements with employees concerning employees' wages" during jury service (ORS 10.090(3)), so your pay depends on your employer's policy or contract. Oregon state agency employees covered by State HR Policy 60.000.12 receive jury service leave with pay on request and must waive the juror fee (but not expense reimbursement) unless a union contract says otherwise. School and local government employees should check their own leave rules or union contract.

Health insurance during jury service

An employer with 10 or more employees commits an unlawful employment practice if it stops your health, disability, life or other insurance coverage during jury service, when you elected to keep that coverage and gave notice under the employer's notification policy (ORS 10.092). The statute allows the employer limited payroll recoupment, capped at 10 percent of gross pay per pay period.

If your employer violates the law

An employee who alleges a violation of the job-protection rule may file a civil action under ORS 659A.885 or a complaint with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) under ORS 659A.820 (ORS 10.090(5)). In a civil action, the court may order injunctive and other equitable relief, including reinstatement with or without back pay, with back pay limited to two years before filing, and may award costs and reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party (ORS 659A.885).

A BOLI complaint must be filed no later than one year after the alleged unlawful practice (ORS 659A.820(2)). A civil action must generally be started within one year unless a BOLI complaint was filed on time, in which case a separate deadline runs from BOLI's notice (ORS 659A.875). Claims against a public employer also need a notice of claim under ORS 30.275 (ORS 659A.875(5)). For how this rule fits with other limits on firing, see our page on Oregon at-will employment laws.

What happens if you miss jury duty in Oregon

If you are summoned to a circuit court and do not attend, "the court shall order the person to appear forthwith and show cause for that failure" (ORS 10.990(2)). If you then fail to appear, or appear and fail to show good cause, you may be punished for contempt. Chapter 10 states no fine or jail amount for this.

The same contempt route applies if you fail to return a properly completed eligibility form after being directed to appear (ORS 10.245), and to a juror who leaves without permission or fails to complete required service (ORS 10.990(3)). If you missed your date, contact the jury coordinator on your summons right away.

How long jury duty lasts in Oregon

The presiding judge of each judicial district sets the length of a jury term, but "no trial juror shall be required to serve more than 10 days unless necessary to complete the trial of an action" (ORS 10.105). ORS 10.107 directs the Chief Justice to implement one day or one trial service; that is a directive to the courts, not a guarantee. The court's FAQ says the number of days or hours you serve depends on your county.

Names are drawn at random from a master list built from voter registration and Oregon DMV records (ORS 10.215). The court says the selection is completely random, so being called again is chance. The 24-month ineligibility period after service, described above, is the only statutory limit on repeat service.

How to respond to an Oregon jury summons

The Oregon Judicial Department's Jury Service page is the statewide entry point (Oregon Judicial Department, Jury Service).

1. Log in to the juror eResponse portal by choosing your county or scanning the QR code on your summons.
2. Complete the qualification form. The portal requires it before you can ask to be excused or postponed.
3. Submit your request: age 70 or older, breast-feeding, sole caregiver, hardship, National Guard service, or a deferral to another term.
4. If you cannot use the portal, contact your local circuit court jury coordinator.
5. Treat your report date as firm until the court confirms its decision. Only the court may excuse you.

Watch for jury duty scam calls

The Oregon Judicial Department warns: "Court officers will never require you to provide bank account information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers over the phone, email, or text." It says calls threatening arrest for missed jury service are a scam, and tells people to hang up and report the call to the local circuit court jury coordinator.

Our guide to government impersonation scams explains how these schemes work, and our page on Oregon scam and fraud laws covers where to report.

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

Related pages

• Jury duty laws by state
• Oregon at-will employment laws
• Oregon court records and setting aside a conviction
• Oregon scam and fraud laws
• Washington jury duty laws

Last updated: October 7, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does jury duty pay in Oregon?

Oregon circuit court jurors receive $10 a day for the first two days of a term and $25 a day from the third day, plus 20 cents a mile for driving (ORS 10.061(2), 10.065). The state pays these fees, so the rate is the same in every county.

Can I get out of jury duty in Oregon if I am over 70?

Yes, if you ask. ORS 10.050(3) says the judge or clerk shall excuse a person 70 or older on request. It is not automatic, so you still need to respond to the summons and make the request.

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

Oregon's jury statute does not require private employers to pay you, and leaves wage policies to your employer (ORS 10.090(3)). If your employer does pay you, you must waive the juror fee unless your employment agreement says otherwise (ORS 10.061(3)). Oregon state agency employees covered by State HR Policy 60.000.12 get paid jury service leave and waive the juror fee unless a union contract says otherwise. School and local government employees should check their own leave rules.

Can my employer make me use vacation time for jury duty in Oregon?

No. ORS 10.090(2) says an employer may not require you to use vacation, sick or annual leave for time spent responding to a jury summons and must allow you unpaid leave instead.

Can I be fired for jury duty in Oregon?

No. Firing, threatening to fire, intimidating or coercing an employee because of jury service is an unlawful employment practice (ORS 10.090(1)). You may sue under ORS 659A.885 or file a complaint with BOLI. A BOLI complaint must be filed within one year (ORS 659A.820(2)), and a lawsuit generally must be started within one year unless a BOLI complaint was filed on time (ORS 659A.875).

What happens if I miss jury duty in Oregon?

The circuit court orders you to appear and show cause for missing service. If you do not appear, or cannot show good cause, you may be punished for contempt (ORS 10.990(2)).

Can a felon serve on a jury in Oregon?

For civil juries, the felony bar lasts only while rights are withdrawn under ORS 137.281, which runs from sentencing to release from incarceration or a set-aside. For criminal trials and grand juries, a felony conviction, or any part of a felony sentence including probation, parole or post-prison supervision, within the past 15 years makes a person ineligible (ORS 10.030(3)).

Are National Guard members exempt from jury duty in Oregon?

Yes. ORS 399.215 says active members of the organized militia are exempt from jury duty. Tell the court when you respond to the summons.

How often can you be called for jury duty in Oregon?

After serving in an Oregon circuit court or a federal court in Oregon, you are ineligible for Oregon circuit court service for 24 months unless additional jurors are needed (ORS 10.030(5)). Otherwise selection is random.