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

South Carolina state-court jury service is governed by Title 14, Chapter 7 of the South Carolina Code, which sets the disqualifications in S.C. Code § 14-7-810 and the one general exemption, for people 65 and older, in § 14-7-840. A person 65 or older may be excused by confirming their date of birth by phone with the clerk of court.

An employer that fires or demotes you for serving on a jury can be sued for damages under S.C. Code § 41-1-70. Juror pay is set county by county, and the statutory pay table is out of date, so your county clerk is the place to confirm what you will receive.

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

Do you have to serve? The short answer

Yes, unless you are disqualified, you claim the 65-and-over exemption, or the court excuses or postpones you. S.C. Code § 14-7-840 says: "No person is exempt from service as a juror in any court of this State except men and women sixty-five years of age or over." The statute adds that notaries public are not exempt.

Outside the jury chapter, state prison employees have their own exemption, and the chapter itself provides caregiver excuses, school-term postponements and a general power for the presiding judge to excuse someone for cause. To see which route might fit your situation, try our jury duty exemption checker.

Who can serve on a jury in South Carolina

South Carolina builds its jury lists from "persons who are over the age of eighteen years and citizens of the United States residing in each county who hold a valid South Carolina driver's license or an identification card," merged with the voter list (S.C. Code § 14-7-130). The South Carolina Judicial Branch's summary lists people who are not U.S. citizens, and people who do not live in the county that summoned them, as disqualified (SC Judicial Branch).

Who is disqualified

Under S.C. Code § 14-7-810, a person is not qualified to serve as a juror in any South Carolina court if:

1. "He has been convicted in a state or federal court of record of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and his civil rights have not been restored by pardon or amnesty."
2. "He is unable to read, write, speak, or understand the English language."
3. "He is incapable by reason of mental or physical infirmities to render efficient jury service." The statute adds: "Legal blindness does not disqualify an otherwise qualified juror."
4. "He has less than a sixth grade education or its equivalent."

A person who knows or suspects they are disqualified must say so when questioned, and failing to do so is punishable as contempt. The trial judge makes the final decision on disqualification. The Judicial Branch says a doctor's statement is required for a mental or physical condition.

Criminal convictions

The disqualification in § 14-7-810 covers a conviction for a crime punishable by more than one year in prison, not only crimes labeled felonies, and it lasts while the person's civil rights "have not been restored by pardon or amnesty." Those are the restoration routes the jury statute names, and S.C. Code § 24-21-990 confirms that a pardon restores the right to serve on a jury. If you have a record and receive a summons, answer truthfully and ask the clerk of court or a South Carolina lawyer whether you are eligible.

Court officers and courthouse workers

Under § 14-7-820, no clerk or deputy clerk of court, constable, sheriff, probate judge, county commissioner, magistrate or other county officer, "or any person employed within the walls of any courthouse is eligible as a juryman in any civil or criminal case; provided, that no person may be disqualified under this section except as determined by the court." Members of the grand jury that returned an indictment cannot sit on the trial jury for that case (§ 14-7-830).

Exemptions, excuses and postponements in South Carolina

Age 65 and older

The age exemption is a right to be excused if you ask. Under § 14-7-840, "A person exempt under this section may be excused upon telephone confirmation of date of birth and age to the clerk of court or the chief magistrate." If you do nothing, you remain on the list and are expected to appear. The jury commissioners cannot excuse you under this section, and the clerk keeps a list of the people excused and why.

Two 2025 bills would raise the age: S. 216 (to 75) and H. 4056 (to 70). The legislature's bill pages, checked October 7, 2026, show only introduction and referral to the Judiciary Committee. Neither is law; the age remains 65.

Caregivers of young children, older adults and disabled people

S.C. Code § 14-7-860(B) and (C) cover a person with legal custody and duty of care of a child under 7, or the primary caretaker of a person 65 or older or of a severely disabled person who cannot care for himself or be left unattended. The person files an affidavit with the clerk of court, and "The affidavit must state that he is unable to provide adequate care for the child, person aged sixty-five or older, or disabled person while performing jury duty, and must be excused by the presiding judge from jury service."

The section heading refers to women with children under 7, but the operative text applies to any person with custody and care. A caregiver excused this way is not placed on a later panel under the redraw rule in § 14-7-870.

Essential workers for a business or farm

Under § 14-7-860(D), "a person either may be excused or transferred to another term of court by the presiding judge if the person performs services for a business, commercial, or agricultural enterprise, and the person's services are so essential to the operations of the business, commercial, or agricultural enterprise that the enterprise must close or cease to function if the person is required to perform jury duty." This also requires an affidavit filed with the clerk, and the judge decides.

Other excuses for cause

"The presiding judge for cause shown may excuse any person from jury duty at any term of court if the judge considers it advisable. But no juror who has been drawn to serve at any term of the court may be excused except for good and sufficient cause, which, together with his application, must be filed in the office of the clerk of court and remain on record" (S.C. Code 14-7-860(A)).

Be accurate in what you file. Under § 14-7-860(E), "A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both." The Judicial Branch's summary describes the affidavit as a notarized statement.

An excuse is often a delay

Under S.C. Code § 14-7-870, "Whenever a juror is so excused, unless the cause of the excuse is permanent physical disability of the juror or the juror is a member of one of the classes of persons set forth in Section 14-7-840, the name of the juror must be placed by the jury commissioners on the succeeding panel of the same term, or the next term or a subsequent term of court." The statute says such a juror must attend without further process.

Students and teachers

"If a student selected for jury service during the school term requests, his service must be postponed to a date that does not conflict with the school term" (S.C. Code 14-7-845(A)). The same right covers K-12 teachers, certified building-level school staff and bus drivers, home or charter school educators primarily responsible for a child's education, and college and technical college instructors. You must provide evidence of enrollment, employment or educational responsibilities. The statute describes the school term as the instructional year, generally September 1 to May 30 or not more than 190 days.

Clerk transfers to a later term

Under S.C. Code § 14-7-1010, "In no case shall the jury commissioners excuse or disqualify any juror for any reason whatsoever; provided that the clerk of court may, without court approval, transfer any juror to a subsequent term upon good and sufficient cause." The research found no statewide limit on how many times or how long you may be transferred.

Military service members

South Carolina's jury chapter states no military exemption, and § 14-7-840 says no one is exempt except people 65 and older. We found no jury exemption for National Guard members in South Carolina's military code (Title 25), so if you serve in the Guard, raise any conflict with the clerk of court on your 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). It is a decision by the Secretary, not an automatic exemption.

How much does jury duty pay in South Carolina?

Circuit-court juror pay is set by statute county by county. S.C. Code § 14-7-1370 gives jurors a daily per diem, listed separately for each county, plus mileage for travel to and from court. There is no single statewide figure.

That table is out of date. Its history runs back to 1978 and older local acts, and at least one county pays far more than its listed rate. We do not reprint the table's per-county amounts because they may not match what your county pays.

Horry County's clerk page says: "Jurors are paid $25.00 per day for each day they appear at the courthouse. You are also paid 34.2 cents per mile to and from your home to the courthouse" (Horry County juror information). The page is undated, so confirm the current rate with the clerk.

A 2023 House bill, H. 4420, proposed to amend § 14-7-1370 to "provide minimum juror compensation in all counties of the state." It was introduced and referred to the Judiciary Committee with no further action shown, and its session has ended, so it did not become law.

South Carolina employer rules for jury duty

Protection against firing or demotion

S.C. Code § 41-1-70 says: "Any employer who dismisses or demotes an employee because the employee complies with a valid subpoena to testify in a court proceeding or administrative proceeding or to serve on a jury of any court is subject to a civil action in the circuit court for damages caused by the dismissal or demotion."

The section sets no advance-notice condition and no minimum employer size. Damages are capped:

The section does not mention reinstatement or a criminal penalty. It does not state a filing deadline. South Carolina's general three-year limitations period for "an action upon a liability created by statute other than a penalty or forfeiture" (S.C. Code § 15-3-530) may apply, so talk to a South Carolina employment lawyer promptly. For how this rule fits with other limits on firing, see our page on South Carolina at-will employment laws.

Does your employer have to pay you?

South Carolina's jury and employment statutes our research covered (Title 14, Chapter 7 and Title 41, Chapter 1) do not require private employers to keep paying you while you serve. Horry County's clerk says: "It is up to each employer whether they pay you while you are on jury duty."

State employees are treated differently. Under the state human resources regulations, "An employee who is summoned as a member of a jury panel shall be granted court leave with pay. Any jury fees and travel payment shall be retained by the employee" (S.C. Code Regs. 19-712.01, State HR). A state employee works only the hours of the schedule minus the hours required at court, and one released before a full workday must return to the job or be on approved leave. That paid leave does not apply to agencies whose employees are exempt from jury duty by law. School and local government employees should check their own leave rules.

What happens if you miss jury duty in South Carolina

S.C. Code § 14-7-1390 says: "If a person duly drawn and summoned to attend as a juror in any court neglects to attend, without sufficient excuse, he shall pay a civil penalty not exceeding one hundred dollars which must be imposed by the court to which the juror was summoned and paid into the county treasury." The statute does not say that paying the penalty ends your obligation to serve.

Greenville County's clerk adds that failing to appear "may result in a citation for contempt of court, and a bench warrant may be issued for your arrest" (Greenville County jury FAQ). If you missed your date, call the clerk of court right away.

How long jury duty lasts and how often you can be called

Jurors are summoned by the county clerk of court for each term. Greenville County says: "Your service will normally be only for one week." Horry County says service usually lasts one week unless it is a special term. Those are county practices, not a statewide rule.

By statute, "No person is liable to be drawn and serve as a juror in any court more often than once every three calendar years and no person shall serve as a juror more than once every calendar year," and serving before a magistrate does not exempt you from serving in other courts (S.C. Code 14-7-850). A person who completes grand jury service is exempt from further state jury service for five calendar years, and grand jurors serve up to two consecutive years (S.C. Code 14-7-1510). The Judicial Branch's summary page states different prior-service windows; the figures here are the statute's.

How to respond to a South Carolina jury summons

Each county clerk of court runs jury summoning, and the research found no statewide online juror portal. The South Carolina Judicial Branch publishes general juror information, including exemptions and disqualifications.

1. Read your summons for your county's instructions and deadlines.
2. If you are 65 or older and want to be excused, call the clerk of court (or chief magistrate for magistrate court) to confirm your date of birth and age.
3. For a caregiver or essential-worker excuse, file the affidavit with the clerk of court; for a school-term postponement, send proof of enrollment or employment.
4. Greenville County says other excuse requests must be submitted in writing when you return the summons, or presented to the judge in person on the first day of the term.
5. Treat your report date as firm until the court or clerk confirms its decision.

Our guide to government impersonation scams explains how fake jury duty calls and other court-impersonation schemes work.

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

Related pages

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

Last updated: October 7, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does jury duty pay in South Carolina?

Juror pay is set by county under S.C. Code 14-7-1370, but the statute's table is out of date, so ask your county clerk. Horry County's clerk says it pays $25 a day plus 34.2 cents a mile.

Can I get out of jury duty in South Carolina if I am over 65?

Yes, if you ask. People 65 or older are exempt and may be excused by confirming their date of birth and age by phone with the clerk of court or chief magistrate (S.C. Code 14-7-840).

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

South Carolina's jury and employment statutes our research covered do not require private employers to pay you. State employees get court leave with pay and keep their jury fees (S.C. Code Regs. 19-712.01); school and local government employees should check their own rules.

Can I be fired for jury duty in South Carolina?

An employer that dismisses or demotes you for serving on a jury can be sued in circuit court, with dismissal damages capped at one year's salary or 52 weeks of wages (S.C. Code 41-1-70).

Can I be excused from jury duty in South Carolina to care for a child?

A person with custody and care of a child under 7 who files an affidavit that they cannot provide adequate care while serving must be excused by the presiding judge (S.C. Code 14-7-860).

Can a student or teacher postpone jury duty in South Carolina?

Yes. Students, K-12 teachers and certain school staff, home and charter school educators, and college instructors may have service postponed on request to a date outside the school term, with proof (S.C. Code 14-7-845).

Can a felon serve on a jury in South Carolina?

A person convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison is disqualified unless civil rights have been restored by pardon or amnesty (S.C. Code 14-7-810).

What happens if I miss jury duty in South Carolina?

A person who neglects to attend without sufficient excuse pays a civil penalty of up to $100 imposed by the court (S.C. Code 14-7-1390). Greenville County says a contempt citation and bench warrant are also possible.

How often can I be called for jury duty in South Carolina?

No one is liable to be drawn more than once every three calendar years or to serve more than once a calendar year (S.C. Code 14-7-850). Completed grand jury service exempts you for five calendar years (S.C. Code 14-7-1510).