Read which court sent it, then respond by the deadline the summons gives. A federal qualification questionnaire is due within 10 days1; a New York questionnaire must be returned within 10 days of mailing2. Ask for a postponement or excuse before your date rather than skipping it.
From the mailbox to the courthouse
- Ask for changesPostpone, claim an exemption or ask to be excused, the way your summons explains.
- ReportBring your summons and arrive early for security screening9.
What to have ready when you respond
Documents to have ready
Deadlines in the courts we cover
| Court | First thing to do | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| New York State courts | Return the questionnaire, if you got one2 | 10 days from mailing2 |
| Texas state courts | Respond as the summons says; claim an exemption with a signed statement14 | Before your summons date, for exemptions14 |
| California state courts | Respond as the summons says; if you don't, you may be summoned to answer or treated as qualified15 | Set by each court |
| Georgia state courts | Ask for any excuse or deferral before your appearance date16 | Set by each court; clerks may mail summonses at least 25 days before your court date17 |
| Federal courts | Complete the questionnaire online or by mail5 | 10 days1 |
Rules for more states are being added as their research is completed.
Questions
Can I just ignore it?
No. In New York, failing to respond can bring a civil penalty of up to $25018; in Texas, contempt and a fine of $100 to $1,00019; in federal court, if you are summoned to fill it out and do not appear or show good cause, a fine of up to $1,000, up to three days in jail, community service, or a combination20. If you missed jury duty.
I got a phone call about my summons. Is it real?
Be careful. Federal courts do not ask for sensitive information by phone or email21, and New York's courts never ask for payment by phone for jury fines22. Jury duty scams.
The summons is for someone who moved or died.
Contact the jury office on the summons and tell them. Use the phone number or website on the summons, not one from a caller.
What to do next
- Find the court name and the response deadline on your summons.
- Respond online or by mail the way the summons says.
- Need a later date? See how to postpone jury duty.
Related
State or federal summons?How to tell which court summoned you.How to postpone jury dutyMove your date.
Sources
22 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
- 28 U.S. Code § 1864 - Drawing of names from the master jury wheel (LII). 28 U.S.C. § 1864(a)."The clerk or jury commission shall mail to every person whose name is drawn from the master wheel a juror qualification form accompanied by instructions to fill out and return the form, duly signed and sworn, to the clerk or jury commission by mail within ten days."
- N.Y. Judiciary Law § 509 – Qualification of jurors. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 509(b)."The person to whom the questionnaire is mailed shall complete and sign it and return it to the commissioner within ten days of mailing."
- EDNY Jury Selection Plan (As amended, January 31, 2023). EDNY Jury Selection Plan § 1 (as amended Jan. 31, 2023)."This plan is applicable to the Eastern District of New York, which consists of counties of: Kings, Nassau, Queens, Richmond, and Suffolk. There are no statutory divisions in the Eastern District of New York."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.011 – Electronic or Mechanical Method of Selection. Tex. Gov't Code §§ 62.011, 62.003."(a) On the recommendation of a majority of the district and criminal district judges of a county, the commissioners court, by order entered in its minutes, may adopt a plan for the selection of names of persons for jury service with the aid of electronic or mechanical equipment instead of drawing the names from a jury wheel."
- Juror Selection Process | United States Courts. uscourts.gov."Those randomly selected are mailed a qualification questionnaire to complete and return to the court within 10 days or instructed to complete the questionnaire online on the court’s eJuror page."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0111 – Computer or Telephone Response to Summons. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0111."(a) A plan authorized under Section 62.011 for the selection of names of prospective jurors may allow for a prospective juror to appear in response to a summons by: (1) contacting the county officer responsible for summoning jurors by computer; (2) calling an automated telephone system; or (3) appearing before the court in person."
- Kings County Clerk - Jury Service (legacy page). Kings County Clerk jury page."More information on Kings County Jury Service, including your daily call-in message, is available at: www.nyjuror.com/kings"
- Dallas County - Jury Services. Dallas County Jury Services home page."If selected, Jury Services will notify you 1 - 2 days in advance by provided email and, or text of your assignment time. | Jurors who appear unscheduled will not receive payment /credit for attendance."
- Dallas County Jury Services - Courthouse Procedures. Dallas County Jury Services, Courthouse Procedures page."Please arrive approximately forty-five minutes early to complete the screening process. You are required to be in the Central Jury Room at both the Frank Crowley and George Allen Courthouses by 8:00 A.M. when reporting for jury duty."
- Harris County District Clerk - Jury Service in Harris County (login template). Harris County District Clerk, Jury Services pre-registration page."If you have received a jury summons you must pre-register below. You will need to enter your HC Number found on your summons or your Texas Driver's License number and your last name to begin the process."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0143 – Postponement of Jury Service. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0143."(b) On receipt of a request under Subsection (a), the clerk of the court shall grant the person a postponement if: (1) the person has not been granted a postponement in that county during the one-year period preceding the date on which the person is summoned to appear; and (2) the person and the clerk determine a substitute date on which the person will appear for jury service that is not later than six months after the date on which the person was originally summoned to appear."
- N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517 – Excuses and postponements. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517(a)(2)."An application for postponement of jury service shall be granted hereunder provided: (i) such service has not already been postponed or excused, (ii) the application is made at such time and in such manner as the commissioner of jurors requires, and (iii) the postponement is to a date certain when the court is in session not more than six months after the date on which such service otherwise is to commence and such date is selected by the prospective juror"
- Dallas County Jury Services - Exemptions. Dallas County Jury Services, Exemptions page."Have a medical condition which prevents you from serving. This exemption requires a statement from your doctor explaining your condition and why you are unable to serve jury duty."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.107 – Procedures for Establishing Exemptions. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.107(a)-(b)."(a) A person who is notified to appear for jury service may establish an exemption from the service under Section 62.106 without appearing in person by filing a signed statement of the ground of his exemption with the clerk of the court before the date on which he is summoned to appear."
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 196. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 196(c)."Any person who fails to respond to jury commissioner or court inquiry as instructed, may be summoned to appear before the jury commissioner or the court to answer the inquiry, or may be deemed to be qualified for jury service in the absence of a response to the inquiry."
- Serve Jury Duty, Georgia.gov (State of Georgia; page credits Administrative Office of the Courts; 'Last updated June 2026'). O.C.G.A. § 15-12-1.1(a)(1), (b)."Certain people are eligible to be exempted or excused from jury duty, such as people age 70 or older or full-time students. If you qualify, you must contact the court to receive an exemption before your appearance date."
- Justia - 2025 Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) - O.C.G.A. § 15-12-65.1. O.C.G.A. §§ 15-12-65.1, 15-12-120.1."On and after July 1, 2012, the clerk shall be authorized to mail all summonses by first-class mail addressed to the prospective jurors’ most notorious places of abode at least 25 days prior to the date of the court the prospective jurors shall attend. Failure to receive the notice personally shall be a defense to a contempt citation."
- N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527 – Procedure for noncompliance. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527(1)."Such person shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars for failing to respond or attend in violation of the provisions of this article."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0141 – Failure to Answer Jury Summons. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0141."In addition to any criminal penalty prescribed by law, a person summoned for jury service who does not comply with the summons as required by law or who knowingly provides false information in a request for an exemption or to be excused from jury service is subject to a contempt action punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000."
- 28 U.S. Code § 1864 - Drawing of names from the master jury wheel (LII). 28 U.S.C. § 1864(a)-(b)."Any person who fails to return a completed juror qualification form as instructed may be summoned by the clerk or jury commission forthwith to appear before the clerk or jury commission to fill out a juror qualification form. ... (b) Any person summoned pursuant to subsection (a) of this section who fails to appear as directed shall be ordered by the district court forthwith to appear and show cause for his failure to comply with the summons. Any person who fails to appear pursuant to such order or who fails to show good cause for noncompliance with the summons may be fined not more than $1,000, imprisoned not more than three days, ordered to perform community service, or any combination thereof."
- Juror Scams | United States Courts. uscourts.gov."Federal courts do not require anyone to provide any sensitive information in a telephone call or email. Most contact between a federal court and a prospective juror will be through the U.S. mail, and any phone or email contact by real court officials will not include requests for any sensitive information."
- Important Notice about "Scam" Emails & Fraudulent Phone Calls Claiming to be from the New York State Court System. NY Courts 'Be Alert: Scams' page."The NYS Court System never asks, by phone, for financial or family information from members of the public."
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.