San Diego summonses now arrive as postcards pointing to the court's online Juror Portal1. You can postpone up to six months2, and service is one day or one trial3. Excuse requests are taken online or in person, not by phone4.
The four jury locations
Jury Services' main line is (619) 844-2800; staff answer 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 10:00 a.m. to noon on Friday8.
Questions
Can I come on a different day?
Yes, up to two weeks before or after your summoned date, but only on days jurors are being called in9.
What is telephone standby?
You call a recorded line after 5:00 p.m. for up to five nights to learn whether to report10.
I'm over 70.
Age alone is not an excuse, but residents over 70 with health concerns may be permanently excused without a doctor's letter11.
Can I ask for a different courthouse?
Yes, through the portal or by calling during staff hours12.
How am I paid?
$15 a day and 34 cents a mile each way from the second day, mailed within two or three weeks13. From the second day you can take a transit pass instead of mileage; the court's FAQ says this applies at all locations in one answer and at the Central Courthouse in another, so confirm with Jury Services14.
Proof for your employer
What to collect while you serve
Federal jury service in San Diego
A federal summons comes from the Southern District of California and is separate from county service17. Federal jury duty explained.
What to do next
- Respond on the Juror Portal1: San Diego Superior Court jury services
- If you are on telephone standby, call after 5:00 p.m. each night10.
- Downtown? Plan on transit; there is no free parking6.
Related
Sources
17 official sources, with the exact sentence each rule comes from
- Jury Service Frequently Asked Questions | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Jury Service FAQ #1."The online Juror Portal allows summoned jurors to request an excuse or disqualification from service, request a postponement or request or transfer service to a more convenient location."
- Jury Service Frequently Asked Questions | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Jury Service FAQ #5 and #9."Yes, you may postpone your service for up to six months from your reporting date."
- Jury Services | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Jury Services page; FAQ #4; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.1002 (as cited)."Under the "One Day or One Trial" program and the Summons for Jury Service you received, you are only required to appear for jury service for one day unless you are assigned to a trial. If you are assigned to a trial and sworn in as a juror, you will continue your service until the trial is completed."
- Jury Service Frequently Asked Questions | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Jury Service FAQ #7 and #9."Excuse requests are considered on an individual basis. The request must explain why a postponement of jury service will not solve the problem. | You will only be notified if your excuse is not granted. Excusal requests are not accepted over the phone, please submit any excusal requests online or by coming in-person to the courthouse."
- Jury Locations | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Jury Locations page."Central Courthouse | 1100 Union Street | San Diego, CA 92101 | ... | Third floor"
- Jury Locations | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Jury Locations page."There is no free parking in downtown San Diego. Do not use parking meters because they have a 2 hour limit, and parking tickets for expired meters are expensive. We encourage you to use the trolley, bus or Coaster. The court does not validate or reimburse parking."
- Jury Service Frequently Asked Questions | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Jury Service FAQ #15; Jury Locations page."Free parking is available at the East , North and South County Courthouse locations."
- Jury Service Frequently Asked Questions | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Jury Service FAQ #1."To request a transfer or postponement over the phone, please call (619) 844-2800 for recorded information and automated prompts available 24 hours a day, seven days a week; jury services staff can answer phone inquiries from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Fridays."
- Jury Service Frequently Asked Questions | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Jury Service FAQ #5."Summoned jurors are also permitted to report for jury duty up to two weeks before or two weeks after your summoned reporting date, as long as jurors are called in for duty."
- Telephone Standby | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Telephone Standby page."Telephone Standby means a juror has been summoned to call the court for five nights (after 5:00 p.m.) for reporting instructions."
- Jury Service Frequently Asked Questions | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Jury Service FAQ #21."Yes, unless your health prevents you from doing so. If you have health concerns and are over the age of 70, you may be permanently excused without a doctor's letter."
- Jury Service Frequently Asked Questions | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Jury Service FAQ #6."Yes. Call (619) 844-2800 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Friday, to speak with a Deputy Jury Commissioner."
- Jury Service Frequently Asked Questions | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Jury Service FAQ #14."State law provides payment of $15.00 per day and 34 cents per mile each way from your home to the court beginning on the second day of service. Payment will be computed on the last day of your jury service and a check will be mailed to your home address within two or three weeks of your jury service."
- Jury Service Frequently Asked Questions | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Jury Service FAQ #16 (and #14)."At all locations, you may elect to receive a transit pass beginning on your second day of service and for each additional day you serve, by waiving the 34 cents per mile each way from your home to the court."
- Jury Service Frequently Asked Questions | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Jury Service FAQ #12."Time sheets will be provided to clock in and out to give your employer an exact accounting of your time at court. Time sheets cannot be recreated, so we strongly suggest you use one, even if you're not sure if your employer requires it."
- Jury Service Frequently Asked Questions | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Jury Service FAQ #13; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.100 (as cited)."Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 1.100, persons with disabilities may request accommodations. This includes but is not limited to assistive listening devices or sign language interpreters."
- Jurisdiction | Southern District of California | United States District Court. U.S. District Court, S.D. Cal., Jurors - Jurisdiction page."The Federal Court may summon citizens for jury service who live in San Diego and Imperial County. Your jury service “cannot” be transferred to a local County Court - Superior Court of California."
Reviewed by Roger K. Neustadt, JD, attorney admitted in Georgia. Verified November 10, 2026.
Roger K. Neustadt is admitted in Georgia; pages about other states and federal courts are general information checked against official sources. How we check every rule: editorial policy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
This page explains the law in general terms and is not legal advice. Jury Duty Explained is not affiliated with any court. Your summons and your court's instructions control, so check them first.