Wisconsin Jury Duty Laws: Pay, Excuses and Employer Rules

Wisconsin state-court jury service is governed by chapter 756 of the Wisconsin Statutes, starting with the qualifications in Wis. Stat. 756.02. Jurors receive at least $16 for each day of attendance, with the exact amount fixed by each county board, plus mileage (Wis. Stat. 756.25).

Your employer must give you a leave of absence for jury service and may not discharge or discipline you for it (Wis. Stat. 756.255). Wisconsin has no automatic exemptions and no age-out: the court decides each request to be excused or deferred under Wis. Stat. 756.03.

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 Wisconsin state (circuit) courts. A summons from a federal court in Wisconsin 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 qualified or the court excuses or defers you. Wisconsin dropped its old list of exclusions and exemptions: the 1996 Judicial Council Note to Wis. Stat. 756.03 says the section "repeals the concept of exclusions and exemptions under prior s. 756.02" and replaces them with judicial excuses and deferrals.

That means no job, age or family role gets you out automatically under chapter 756. Each request is a decision by the court that summoned you. To sort out which route fits your situation before you contact the court, try our jury duty exemption checker.

Who can serve on a jury in Wisconsin

Under Wis. Stat. 756.02, "Every resident of the area served by a circuit court who is at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen and able to understand the English language is qualified to serve as a juror in that circuit unless that resident has been convicted of a felony and has not had his or her civil rights restored."

So the qualifications are:

• residence in the area the circuit court serves (the section sets no minimum length of residence);
• age 18 or older;
• U.S. citizenship; and
• the ability to understand English.

State policy also says no person who is qualified and able to serve "may be excluded from that service in any court of this state on the basis of sex, race, color, sexual orientation as defined in s. 111.32 (13m), disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, lawful source of income, age or ancestry or because of a physical condition" (Wis. Stat. 756.001(3)).

Felony convictions

The jury statute disqualifies a person convicted of a felony only until his or her civil rights are restored. It is not written as a lifetime bar. Under Wis. Stat. 304.078(2), a person convicted of a crime obtains restoration of his or her civil rights by serving out the term of imprisonment, which includes parole and extended supervision, or otherwise satisfying the sentence. The certificate of the Department of Corrections or other responsible supervising agency is evidence of that restoration. So once your felony sentence is fully satisfied, the felony bar in 756.02 no longer applies. If you have a felony record and receive a summons, answer the qualification form truthfully and ask the clerk of circuit court whether you are eligible.

Excuses and deferrals in Wisconsin

Wisconsin gives the court two tools, both in Wis. Stat. 756.03, and both are decided by the court rather than granted automatically.

Being excused

Under 756.03(1), "The court to which a person is summoned for jury service may excuse the person from jury service if the court determines that the person cannot fulfill the responsibilities of a juror. The court shall not consider any structural limitations of a facility when making that determination."

The statute does not list examples. Whether a health condition, a caregiving duty or another circumstance means you cannot fulfill a juror's responsibilities is the court's call, and your circuit may ask for documentation.

Deferring (postponing) your service

Under 756.03(2), the court "may, upon request of that person, defer to a later date set by the court the period in which the person must serve if the court determines that service as a juror would entail undue hardship, extreme inconvenience or serious obstruction or delay in the fair and impartial administration of justice."

The statute sets no limit on how many deferrals you may receive or how long one may last. Local practice sets those details, and the judge in charge of the jury system may require documentation under 756.03(3).

Age: no automatic excuse

Chapter 756 contains no age-based exemption, excusal or upper age limit; 18 is the only age threshold in the chapter. Age alone cannot be used to exclude a qualified and able juror (756.001(3)). An older person may still ask the court to be excused under the general "cannot fulfill the responsibilities of a juror" standard in 756.03(1), or to defer for hardship, and the court decides.

Military service members

Chapter 756 contains no military or National Guard exemption, consistent with its repeal of categorical exemptions. Wisconsin's military code (chapters 321 and 322) also contains no jury exemption for National Guard or state defense force members. If you serve in the Guard, raise it with the clerk of circuit court on your summons, and you may ask for a deferral under 756.03(2).

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 Wisconsin?

Under Wis. Stat. 756.25, "Every grand and petit juror summoned shall receive an amount, not less than $16, as fixed by the county board, for each day of attendance, and an amount equal to the mileage rate set under s. 20.916 (8) for each mile traveled each day in going and returning by the most usual route."

Because $16 is only a floor, your county may pay more. We have not compiled county rates, so check your summons or ask the clerk of circuit court for your county's amount. The statute does not print the mileage rate either; it borrows the rate set under s. 20.916(8). Under 756.25(4), the clerk of circuit court initiates payment of juror fees.

Wisconsin employer rules for jury duty

Leave and job protection

Wis. Stat. 756.255 says: "An employer shall grant an employee a leave of absence without loss of time in service for the period of jury service. For the purpose of determining seniority or pay advancement, the status of the employee shall be considered uninterrupted by the jury service. No employer may use absence due to jury service as a basis for discharging an employee or for any disciplinary action against the employee."

The section sets no minimum employer size and no advance-notice requirement, and it does not distinguish full-time from part-time workers. It also says nothing about shift scheduling or whether an employer may require you to use vacation or sick time, so check your employer's policy or union contract.

Does your employer have to pay you?

Wisconsin's jury statute does not require private employers to keep paying your wages while you serve. The phrase "without loss of time in service" in 756.255 protects your seniority and pay-advancement status, not your paycheck; the county juror fee under 756.25 is what the law provides. State employees are different: Wis. Stat. 230.35(3)(c) entitles state officials and employees summoned for jury service to leave with no deduction from, nor interruption of, their state pay, unless a collective bargaining agreement covering a represented employee provides otherwise (Wis. Stat. 230.35(3)(e)). The implementing rule, Wis. Admin. Code ER 18.10, excludes limited term employees, legislators and judges, and says an employee who is only on call and not impaneled must report back to work unless the appointing authority authorizes the absence. We did not research rules for school district or local government employees, who should check their employer's policy or union contract.

If you are fired or disciplined for jury service

Under 756.255, "An employer who discharges or disciplines an employee in violation of this section may be fined not more than $200 and may be required to make full restitution to the aggrieved employee, including reinstatement and back pay. Except as otherwise provided in this section, restitution shall be in accordance with s. 973.20."

Section 973.20 is Wisconsin's criminal restitution statute. Because 756.255 punishes a violation with a fine, the violation is a crime under Wis. Stat. 939.12, and a misdemeanor under Wis. Stat. 939.60, so it is enforced through a criminal prosecution, and any restitution is ordered when the court sentences the employer. Under Wis. Stat. 939.74(1), a prosecution for a misdemeanor must be commenced within 3 years after the violation. If you were fired or disciplined over jury service, you can report it to your county district attorney, who decides whether to bring charges, and a Wisconsin employment lawyer can advise you on any other options. For how this protection fits with other limits on firing, see our page on Wisconsin at-will employment laws.

What happens if you miss jury duty in Wisconsin

Wis. Stat. 756.30 lists three violations: willfully misrepresenting a material fact on the juror qualification form, failing to return the completed form within 10 days of receiving it, and failing to attend court after being lawfully summoned without being excused.

The process comes first: the court holds a hearing on an order to show cause why you should not be held in contempt. The statute says: "A circuit court may impose a sanction for violation of sub. (1m) in an amount not to exceed $500." It adds that "No costs, fees, or surcharges shall be imposed and the sanction shall be retained by the clerk of circuit court to offset juror costs."

The section names no jail term. The qualification form itself must carry a notice of the $500 sanction (Wis. Stat. 756.04(6)). If you missed your date or the form deadline, contact the clerk of circuit court right away and explain what happened.

How long jury duty lasts in Wisconsin

Wisconsin circuits use one of two systems under Wis. Stat. 756.28.

Standard system. In a county that has not adopted a one-day-or-one-trial system, "a person may be required to be available for service as a grand or petit juror only once in any 4-year period. The period for which any person may be required to be available for service may not exceed 31 consecutive days. No person may be required to serve, or attend court for prospective service, as a juror for a total of more than 5 days unless more days are necessary to complete service in a particular case."

One-day-or-one-trial system. A circuit may instead adopt a system in which a person cannot be required to serve as a petit juror for more than one day in a specified period of 2 to 4 years, unless more days are needed to finish a particular case. A juror whose deliberation ends with a verdict may not be required to take part in a second trial. Your summons or the clerk of circuit court will tell you which system your county uses.

How to respond to a Wisconsin jury summons

1. Complete and return the juror qualification form. The form's instructions require you to return it to the clerk of circuit court within 10 days of receiving it (Wis. Stat. 756.04(6)).
2. Watch for the summons itself. The clerk summons jurors at least 12 days before the first day a jury is needed, by first-class mail or another method (Wis. Stat. 756.05). The master jury list is compiled by the director of state courts mainly from the Department of Transportation driver and ID list.
3. If you need to be excused or deferred, ask the clerk of circuit court named on your summons, and include any documentation your circuit asks for (Wis. Stat. 756.03). The Wisconsin court system notes that some postponement requests must be received before the summons arrives, so tell the court about a conflict as soon as you receive any information about jury service.
4. Treat your report date as firm until the court confirms its decision.

If someone contacts you demanding payment for a missed jury date, check with the clerk of circuit court named on your summons before you pay anything. Our guide to government impersonation scams explains how these schemes work.

Disclaimer: This page is general legal information about Wisconsin 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 clerk of circuit court listed on it; for an employment dispute, consult a lawyer licensed in Wisconsin.

Related pages

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

Last updated: October 7, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does jury duty pay in Wisconsin?

Each county board sets the daily amount, which must be at least $16 for each day of attendance, plus mileage at the state rate for each mile traveled each day (Wis. Stat. 756.25). Ask the clerk of circuit court for your county's rate.

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

Not for age alone. Chapter 756 has no age-based exemption or upper age limit, and age cannot be used to exclude a qualified and able juror (Wis. Stat. 756.001(3)). You may still ask the court to excuse you if you cannot fulfill a juror's responsibilities, or to defer for hardship (Wis. Stat. 756.03).

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

Wisconsin's jury statute does not require private employers to pay your wages during jury service; it requires a leave of absence and protects your seniority (Wis. Stat. 756.255). State employees get jury leave with no deduction from their state pay (Wis. Stat. 230.35(3)(c)); school and local government employees should check their own leave rules.

Can I be fired for jury duty in Wisconsin?

No. Wis. Stat. 756.255 bars an employer from using jury-service absence as a basis for discharge or any discipline. A violating employer may be fined up to $200 and ordered to make full restitution, including reinstatement and back pay.

Can I postpone jury duty in Wisconsin?

You may ask the court to defer your service to a later date it sets. The court may grant it if serving would cause undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, or serious obstruction or delay in the administration of justice (Wis. Stat. 756.03(2)).

What happens if I ignore a jury summons in Wisconsin?

After a hearing on an order to show cause, a circuit court may impose a contempt sanction of up to $500 for failing to attend without being excused, failing to return the qualification form within 10 days, or lying on the form (Wis. Stat. 756.30).

Can a felon serve on a jury in Wisconsin?

Wis. Stat. 756.02 disqualifies a person convicted of a felony who has not had his or her civil rights restored. Under Wis. Stat. 304.078(2), civil rights are restored when you serve out your term of imprisonment (including parole and extended supervision) or otherwise satisfy your sentence, and from then on the felony bar in the jury statute no longer applies.

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

In counties using the standard system, you can be required to be available only once in any 4-year period, for up to 31 consecutive days and no more than 5 days of attendance unless a case needs more. One-day-or-one-trial circuits limit service to one day, or one trial, in a 2 to 4 year period (Wis. Stat. 756.28).