Being self-employed does not by itself get you excused. In Texas, a court cannot excuse you for an economic reason unless every party in the case is present and agrees1. The Eastern District of New York excuses, on request, people so essential to a business that it must close without them2.
Texas Government Code § 62.110:
(a) Except as provided by this section, a court may hear any reasonable sworn excuse of a prospective juror, including any claim of an exemption or a lack of qualification, and if the excuse is considered sufficient shall release him from jury service entirely or until another day of the term, as appropriate.
The same section adds that economic reasons need the agreement of each party of record1. Harris County says being the sole owner of a business is not grounds for an excuse3.
Common situations
IfYou run a small business in New York
IfYour business would have to close (Eastern District of New York)
You may be excused on request2.
Pay for self-employed jurors
| Court | What you are paid |
|---|---|
| New York State courts | $72 a day from the state if you have 10 or fewer employees4 |
| Texas state courts | At least $20 the first day and $58 after7 |
| California state courts | $15 a day plus mileage, from the second day89 |
| Georgia state courts | $5 to $50 a day, set by the county10 |
| Federal courts | $50 a day plus mileage1112 |
Rules for more states are being added as their research is completed.
Jury pay is taxable income, reported on Schedule 1 of Form 104013.
What to do next
- Explain the effect on your business in any hardship request, with proof.
- Ask for a postponement to a quieter period.
Related
Sources
13 sources, with the exact sentence each rule comes from. Georgia statute text is quoted from Justia's copy of the 2025 Official Code of Georgia
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.110 – Judicial Excuse of Juror. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.110."(a) Except as provided by this section, a court may hear any reasonable sworn excuse of a prospective juror, including any claim of an exemption or a lack of qualification, and if the excuse is considered sufficient shall release him from jury service entirely or until another day of the term, as appropriate."
- EDNY Jury Selection Plan (As amended, January 31, 2023). EDNY Jury Selection Plan § 7."(1) Persons over 70 years of age. (2) Actively engaged members of the clergy. (3) Persons having active care and custody of a child or children under 10 years of age whose health and/or safety would be jeopardized by their absence for jury service; or a person who is essential to the care of aged or infirm persons. (4) Actively practicing attorneys, physicians, dentists, and registered nurses. ... (5) Persons who have served as a grand or petit juror in a state or federal court within the preceding two years. (6) Any person whose services are so essential to the operation of a business, commercial, or agricultural enterprise that it must close if the person were required to perform jury duty."
- Harris County District Clerk - Getting Prepared (Jury Services page template). Harris County District Clerk, Jury Services page (Getting Prepared)."Any special circumstances will need to be brought up with the judge at the time of jury service or by emailing jury@hcdistrictclerk.com and your request will be forwarded to the judge for consideration. The law does not allow persons to be excused because they are the sole owner of a business, nor because their employer will not pay for jury service."
- NYS Unified Court System – Jury Information for Employers (Revised June 2025). UCS Jury Information for Employers."The State pays the jury fee to persons who are not employed or are self-employed and have 10 or fewer employees"
- N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517(c)."the commissioner or the court shall consider whether the applicant has a mental or physical condition that causes him or her to be incapable of performing jury service or there is any other fact indicates that attendance for jury service in accordance with the summons would cause undue hardship or extreme inconvenience to the applicant, a person under his or her care or supervision, or the public."
- Harris County District Clerk - Jury pre-registration Reschedule step (template). Harris County District Clerk, online pre-registration reschedule step."Warning: Once you have selected a new service date you cannot select another date that is before the date you have selected. You can reschedule online 2 times."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 61.001 – Reimbursement of Expenses of Jurors and Prospective Jurors. Tex. Gov't Code § 61.001(a)-(b)."(1) not less than $20 for the first day or fraction of the first day the person is in attendance in court in response to the process and discharges the person's duty for that day; and (2) not less than $58 for each day or fraction of each day the person is in attendance in court in response to the process after the first day and discharges the person's duty for that day."
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 215. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 215(a)."Except as provided in subdivision (b), on and after July 1, 2000, the fee for jurors in the superior court, in civil and criminal cases, is fifteen dollars ($15) a day for each day’s attendance as a juror after the first day."
- Judicial Branch of California - Jury Service (Juror Compensation). Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 215(a), (c), (d)."The mileage payment starts on the second day. The public transit reimbursement starts on the first day."
- Justia - 2025 Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) - O.C.G.A. § 15-12-7. O.C.G.A. § 15-12-7(a)(2)-(3)."(2) An expense allowance for trial or grand jurors in the superior courts of such counties for the next succeeding year not to be less than $5.00 nor to exceed $50.00 per diem. The same expense allowance shall be allowed to jurors of the several state courts and special courts as is allowed jurors in the superior court of the county in which the state or special court is located; and"
- 28 U.S. Code § 1871 - Fees (LII). 28 U.S.C. § 1871(b)(1)."(1) A juror shall be paid an attendance fee of $50 per day for actual attendance at the place of trial or hearing. A juror shall also be paid the attendance fee for the time necessarily occupied in going to and returning from such place at the beginning and end of such service or at any time during such service."
- 28 U.S. Code § 1871 - Fees (LII). 28 U.S.C. § 1871(c)(1)."(1) A travel allowance not to exceed the maximum rate per mile that the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts has prescribed pursuant to section 604(a)(7) of this title for payment to supporting court personnel in travel status using privately owned automobiles shall be paid to each juror, regardless of the mode of transportation actually employed. The prescribed rate shall be paid for the distance necessarily traveled to and from a juror’s residence by the shortest practical route in going to and returning from the place of service."
- IRS Publication 525 (2025), Taxable and Nontaxable Income. IRS Publication 525 (2025)."Jury duty pay you receive must be included in your income on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 8h. If you must give the pay to your employer because your employer continues to pay your salary while you serve on the jury, you can deduct the amount turned over to your employer as an adjustment to income."
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.