Juror Frequently Asked Questions - Connecticut Judicial Branch

Jury AdministrationFrequently Asked Questions about Jury Service Español (PDF) | Jury Home

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General Information and Answering the Summons

How was I selected for jury service? [+] (Click to expand or collapse)

Juror lists are randomly selected from lists of registered voters, state income tax payers, unemployment compensation reports, and persons who have valid CT drivers' licenses or ID cards issued by the DMV.

How often can I be called for jury service? [+]

You may be randomly selected for jury service every court year (each court year runs from September 1 to August 31), but you are only required to come to court for jury service once within 3 court years. If you have completed jury service within 3 years of being selected, you may ask to be excused based upon your prior service.

What happens if I do not report for jury service? [+]

Not going to court on the date you have been summoned for jury service is a violation of state law and you may be ordered to pay a fine.

Can I postpone my jury service to a later date? [+]

You may postpone your jury service to a date within ten months of your original summons date. Please visit our Defer Your Jury Service Page. If this is your second deferral, please contact Jury Administration at 1-800-842-8175. Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

Can I be excused if I do not speak or understand English? [+]

If you do not speak or understand English, you may request an excusal through our online portal. You also have the option to submit an email request. You may also call Jury Administration at 1-800-842-8175 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM to speak with one of our customer service representatives. Please be advised that you do not need to know English legal terminology. You may also still serve if English is your second language but you are still able to communicate in English.

Can I ask to be excused from jury service? [+]

If you receive a jury summons and believe that you cannot serve, you may request to be excused by contacting Jury Administration or submit excusal requests via our online portal. Connecticut General Statutes Section 51-217 states the grounds for which a person can be excused. If you can serve but not on your scheduled date, you may request a postponement. Please visit our Defer Your Jury Service Page.

What about childcare? [+]

If you would like to postpone your jury service in order to make arrangements for childcare, please visit our Defer Your Jury Service Page. You may postpone your jury service to a date within ten months of your original date. If jury service will cause a childcare hardship, please visit our eResponse portal. Please note: If you are within two weeks of your summons date or your date has passed, you must contact Jury Administration at [email protected] or call us at 1-800-842-8175 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM for a deferral. * To submit a request through eResponse, you must fill out your confidential juror questionnaire.

Can I be excused from jury service if I am a student? [+]

Students are expected to defer jury service to a school break that is longer than a week in duration. You have one year from your original summons date to serve. If you are unable to attend on a school break, you may request an excusal by contacting Jury Administration or through our online portal.

What if I attend college in Connecticut but am not a Connecticut resident? [+]

Only Connecticut residents qualify to serve. If your legal residence is in another state, you may request an excusal through eResponse.

Can I be excused if I am serving in the Armed Forces? [+]

Yes, if you are an active-duty service member you may request an excusal through our eResponse portal. Civilian personnel working for the military are still required to serve but may defer their appearance date to a more convenient time. Please visit our Defer Your Jury Service Page. If you are not a Connecticut resident, but are stationed in Connecticut on a military base, you do not qualify to serve and may also request an excusal.

How should I respond if I receive a summons addressed to a person who is deceased? [+]

To process a jury summons issued to a deceased person, Jury Administration requires a form of written documentation of the death. Any one of the following is acceptable:

• Copy of the death certificate (Please note: A standard copy is sufficient - an original certificate or notarized copy is NOT required.)
• Copy of the obituary
• Copy of a memorial or prayer card that provides the name of the deceased and date of death
• Letter/note written by a member of a ministry or clergy that provides the name of the deceased and date of death
• Letter/note written by a staff member of a health care facility such as hospital, health care provider's office, convalescent home, etc.
• Letter from an attorney or Executor/Administrator of the Decedent's Estate.

The information may be emailed to Jury Administration at [email protected]. You may also fax it to (860) 263-2770, or mail it to Jury Administration at PO Box 260448, Hartford, CT 06126-0448. In all correspondence, please reference the CT Juror I.D.

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Preparing to Serve

How do I confirm that I need to go to court on my scheduled date? [+]

You may check your status by phone (PDF) after 5:30 p.m. the evening before you are scheduled to serve. A prerecorded message will inform you whether the court still requires your services as a juror. You may also sign up for a text alert to be notified if your service has been cancelled. Please note: You will NOT receive a text alert if you are required to serve. If your service has been cancelled, no further action is required. You have fulfilled your jury obligation for the court year in which you were originally summoned. A court year runs from September 1st to August 31st.

Please Note: In the event of inclement weather, please do not rely on the attendance status web page or receiving a Text Alert. Please call the attendance status phone number (PDF) at the courthouse to which you have been summoned after 5:30 p.m. the night before your jury service date. Where can I find information about closings, cancellations and delays due to inclement weather? [+]

It is recommended that you check for announcements on closings, cancellations and delays at the Judicial Branch Homepage, or our X (Twitter) feed.

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Requesting an Accommodation

I have a disability and have been summoned for jury service. How do I make a request for an accommodation? [+]

The Judicial Branch complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need a reasonable accommodation in accordance with the ADA, please contact Jury Administration by email or by phone at 1-800-842-8175, Monday through Friday, 8AM - 6PM. If you have a hearing disability, dial 711.

I am currently breastfeeding and have been summoned for jury service. Can I make a request for an accommodation or to postpone/defer my jury service? [+]

If you choose to serve and would like to request an accommodation, such as a private room to express milk, please contact Jury Administration at 1-800-842-8175 and speak with a service representative. While requests for accommodation do not have to be made in advance, it will help ensure that your needs are met on the day of your service. Please also be advised that childcare is not available at the courthouse and children are not permitted to attend jury service with their parents. If jury service will cause a childcare hardship, please visit our eResponse portal. If you would rather postpone your jury service to a date within ten months of your original summons date, please visit our Defer Your Jury Service Page.

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Employer and Employee Information

Must employers allow their employees to attend jury service? [+]

Yes. Connecticut law prohibits employers from dismissing, threatening or coercing employees who are summoned for jury service, respond to a jury summons, or serve as a juror (Section 51-247a of the Connecticut General Statutes).

Will I get paid for jury service? [+]

Yes. Full time employed jurors (those normally required to work at least 30 hours per week) are paid their regular wages by their employers for the first 5 days of jury service. Beginning on the 6th day of jury service, all jurors are paid $50.00 per day by the state, regardless of their employment status.If you do not work full time, the state may reimburse you up to $50.00 per day for out-of-pocket expenses for the first five days of jury service. Out-of-pocket expenses include childcare, parking, and transportation costs. In order to request a reimbursement you must complete a Reimbursement Form (PDF) and return it to the court. Proper documentation of expenses may be required as well.

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Going to Court

Is there a dress code for jury service? [+]

Decorum is maintained in the courthouse and jurors should dress accordingly. Shorts, t-shirts, or clothing containing offensive language or imagery are not permitted.

What items are not permitted in the courthouse? [+]

Jurors may not bring disruptive or potentially dangerous items into the courthouse. A disruptive item includes, among other things, electronic items such as a portable radio, television, CD, MP3, tape player or camera not attached to a cell phone or computer. Potentially dangerous items include, among other things, weapons of any kind, pocket knives, and sharp objects such as tools or knitting needles. If you have any questions about what to bring to court, contact Jury Administration.

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Jury Scams

What is a jury duty scam? [+]

Jury duty scam is an attempt to steal money and personal information by using phone calls, text, and email messages to notify the recipient that they failed to comply with jury duty, demanding payment in order to avoid fees, court appointments, or even jail time. The scammer often pretends to be a law enforcement officer or court official.

What are signs of a scam? [+]

Signs of a scam include:

• Unsolicited calls or emails demanding immediate action.
• Caller demands payment over the phone through payment methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, a wire transfer service, or peer-to-peer apps such as Venmo or PayPal.
• Message creates a sense of urgency and includes short timeframe to complete action.
• Threatens legal or financial action if you fail to comply.
• Asks for sensitive information over the phone such as birth date, Social Security number, credit card or bank account numbers, etc.

How do I know if I am being scammed or if I was legitimately summoned for jury service? [+]

The first initial contact from Jury Administration is always a jury summons in the mail. Our office will not call or email summoned individuals unless they reach out to us first and we are returning a phone call or responding to an email. Our office would also not request payment or sensitive information if you failed to report for jury service. If you are unsure, you may contact Jury Administration directly at 1-800-842-8175 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM and a customer service representative will verify if you have been summoned.

What to do if you suspect a scam? [+]

If you suspect fraudulent communication, do not respond and do not click on any links. Immediately contact Jury Administration at 1-800-842-8175, as well as local law enforcement. You can also report scams and suspicious communications to the Federal Trade Commission You can also report confirmed cases of identity theft.

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Quick Links

Directions to Courts, Parking Instructions for Jurors and Phone Numbers What to expect when you get to Court Notice of Court closings, cancellations or delays (PDF) Juror Orientation Video Answering the Call for Jury Service Video Jury Administration Home Unconcious Bias: Jury Video 21.1.1