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Jury Duty Explained
New York state courts

Jury duty in New York

Who runs it, what it pays, how to postpone or ask to be excused, and what happens if you miss it.

In New York, state jury service is run in each county by a Commissioner of Jurors1. Jurors are paid $72 a day2, your first postponement is granted on request to a date up to six months later3, and there are no automatic exemptions4.

Verified November 10, 2026 by Roger K. NeustadtSee sources
$72
a day, the state juror fee since June 8, 2025
Source 5
6 months
the furthest your first postponement can go
Source 3
6 years
the usual wait before you can be summoned again
Source 6
$250
maximum civil penalty for ignoring a summons
Source 7

Your path through New York jury service

  1. SummonsNames are drawn at random from voter, driver and other lists8.
  2. QuestionnaireIf one comes first, return it within 10 days of mailing9.
  3. Postpone if neededYour first postponement can be up to six months out3.
  4. ServeUsually no more than 5 court days, or one trial10.
  5. Get paid$72 for each day your employer does not pay you2, arriving in four to six weeks11.

Who runs jury service in New York

Jury service in New York is governed by Article 16 of the Judiciary Law12. Each county has a Commissioner of Jurors; in the five New York City counties, the County Clerk does this job1. The commissioner sends summonses13 and decides requests to be excused or postponed14.

Names are drawn at random from voter registration lists and other lists, such as driver's license records8. You may first receive a qualification questionnaire, which must be returned within 10 days of the date it was mailed9.

State or federal summons?

New Yorkers can also be summoned by a federal court. In New York City that means the Eastern District (Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island) or the Southern District (Manhattan, the Bronx). Federal pay and rules are different; see federal jury duty. Serving on either kind of jury counts toward New York's waiting period before you can be summoned again15.

Pay

The state juror fee is $72 a day2. If your employer has more than 10 employees, for your first three days it must pay you $72 or your daily wage, whichever is lower16. How New York jury pay works.

Your job

If you tell your employer about your summons before your service starts, you cannot be fired or penalized for being absent17. The courts say making you use vacation, personal or sick time is an illegal penalty18. Violating this rule is criminal contempt of court19. New York jury duty and your employer.

What the law says about your job:

Any person who is summoned to serve as a juror under the provisions of this article and who notifies their employer to that effect prior to the commencement of a term of service shall not, on account of absence from employment by reason of such jury service, be subject to discharge or penalty.

N.Y. Judiciary Law § 519

Who can serve

You must be a U.S. citizen living in the county, at least 18, able to understand and communicate in English, and not convicted of a felony20. There is no upper age limit21. The courts say people with a Certificate of Relief from Civil Disabilities may qualify despite a felony conviction22. Ask your Commissioner of Jurors whether this applies to you. Who can serve in New York.

Exemptions and excuses

New York has no automatic exemptions4. You can ask to be excused if you have a mental or physical condition that makes you unable to serve, or if serving would cause undue hardship or extreme inconvenience to you, someone in your care or the public14. A breastfeeding mother who sends a note from a doctor or nurse practitioner must be excused or have her service postponed23, and her postponement can be to a date up to two years later24. Exemptions and excuses in New York.

Postponing

Your first postponement must be granted if you ask the way your county's jury office requires and pick a date when court is in session no more than six months after your original date3. The courts let you do this once online or by phone, at least one week before your date25, and their system asks you to pick a date 2 to 6 months26 from the date on your summons.

Any later request for a postponement or an excuse goes to your county's Commissioner of Jurors27. Another postponement needs a written application with documentation showing a hardship you didn't anticipate; except in extraordinary circumstances, no one gets more than three postponements in all or 18 months combined28. How to postpone in New York.

How long service lasts

Trial jurors generally serve no more than 5 court days10 of attendance, or until the end of any trial they are on, and time on telephone standby counts as attendance29. The courts say it is often as little as one or two days if you are not picked30.

After serving, you generally cannot be summoned again for six years, or eight if you served more than 10 days6. Jurors who physically report to a town or village court wait two years31.

How long before you can be summoned again

Served more than 10 days
8 years
Longer service, longer wait6
Most jurors
6 years
The usual period after state or federal service6
Town or village court
2 years
If you physically reported to serve31

If you miss jury duty

Failing to return your questionnaire or to attend can bring a civil penalty of up to $2507, and the court will order a new date for your service32. Contact your county's jury office as soon as you realize you missed your date. Missed jury duty in New York.

County jury offices

Other counties: find your Commissioner of Jurors through the New York courts juror site.

What to do next

  1. Check the court name on your summons. A United States District Court is federal; anything else is New York State.
  2. Return your questionnaire within 10 days of the date it was mailed, if you received one9.
  3. Need a new date? Use your first postponement online or by phone at least a week ahead, picking a date 2 to 6 months out26: New York courts juror site
  4. Tell your employer before your service starts, so your job is protected17. Doing it in writing gives you a record.
New York jury duty payThe $72 fee and who pays it.Kings County jury dutyBrooklyn's jury office and courthouses.Federal jury dutyIf a U.S. District Court summoned you.

Sources

33 official sources, with the exact sentence each rule comes from
  1. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 502 – Commissioner of jurors. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 502(a)."The office of commissioner of jurors is hereby established for each county in the state except counties within cities having a population of one million or more. In counties within such cities the county clerk shall exercise the duties and have the powers of the commissioner of jurors."
  2. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 521 – Fees and travel expenses of jurors. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 521(a), as amended by L.2025, ch. 55, Part LL, § 1."trial and grand jurors in each court of the unified court system shall be entitled to an allowance equal to the sum of seventy-two dollars per day for each and every day of physical attendance wherein the court convenes"
  3. 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"
  4. NY Courts – Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."There are no automatic exemptions or excuses from jury service in New York State."
  5. NYS Office of the State Comptroller – State Agencies Bulletin No. 2358. L.2025, ch. 55 (S.3005-C/A.3005-C), Part LL; OSC State Agencies Bulletin No. 2358."Pursuant to the New York State Fiscal Year 2026 Enacted Budget, Judiciary Law Section 519 has been amended to provide an increase to Jury Duty Daily Compensation to $72 per day effective 06/08/2025 for eligible employees."
  6. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 524 – Disqualification of former jurors. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 524(a); 22 NYCRR 128.9(b)."A person who has served on a grand or petit jury in any court of the unified court system or in a federal court shall not be competent to serve again as a trial or grand juror in any court of the unified court system for six years subsequent to the last day of such service, provided, however, that any person who serves on a grand or petit jury for more than ten days shall not be competent to serve again as a trial or grand juror for eight years subsequent to the last day of such service."
  7. 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."
  8. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 506 – Source of names. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 506."The commissioner of jurors shall cause the names of prospective jurors to be selected at random from the voter registration lists, and from such other available lists of the residents of the county as the chief administrator of the courts shall specify, such as lists of utility subscribers, licensed operators of motor vehicles, registered owners of motor vehicles, state and local taxpayers, persons applying for or receiving family assistance, medical assistance or safety net assistance, persons receiving state unemployment benefits and persons who have volunteered to serve as jurors"
  9. 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."
  10. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 525 – Trial and grand jurors; duration of service. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 525(a); 22 NYCRR 128.8(a)."service of trial jurors in courts of the unified court system shall not be more than five court days actual attendance or for such shorter period as the commissioner of jurors shall determine, except that such service shall continue until the conclusion of any trial in which a juror may be engaged."
  11. NY Courts – Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."How long does it take for jurors to get paid? Four to six weeks."
  12. N.Y. Judiciary Law (Chapter 30) table of articles, NYS Senate Open Legislation. N.Y. Judiciary Law art. 16."Selection of Jurors"
  13. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 516 – Commissioner of jurors to summon jurors. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 516."The summons may be served by mail, or the commissioner may direct the sheriff to serve the summons personally or by leaving it at the juror's residence or place of business with a person of suitable age and discretion."
  14. 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."
  15. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 524. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 524(a)."A person who has served on a grand or petit jury in any court of the unified court system or in a federal court shall not be competent to serve again"
  16. NYS Unified Court System - Jury Information for Employers (Revised June 2025). UCS Jury Information for Employers (June 2025); Judiciary Law § 519."Employers of more than 10 employees must pay jurors the jury fee of $72 or the employee's wage (whichever is lower)"
  17. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 519. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 519."Any person who is summoned to serve as a juror under the provisions of this article and who notifies their employer to that effect prior to the commencement of a term of service shall not, on account of absence from employment by reason of such jury service, be subject to discharge or penalty."
  18. NYS Unified Court System – Jury Information for Employers (Revised June 2025). UCS Jury Information for Employers (interpreting Judiciary Law § 519)."No. It is an illegal penalty to force an employee to charge jury duty absence against vacation, personal or sick time."
  19. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 519 - Right of juror to be absent from employment. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 519."Violation of this section shall constitute a criminal contempt of court punishable pursuant to section seven hundred fifty of this chapter."
  20. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 510 – Qualifications. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 510."In order to qualify as a juror a person must: 1. Be a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the county. 2. Be not less than eighteen years of age. 3. Not have been convicted of a felony. 4. Be able to understand and communicate in the English language."
  21. NY Courts – Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."Jurors must be at least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit."
  22. NYS Unified Court System – Jury Information for Employers (Revised June 2025). UCS Jury Information for Employers."Persons previously convicted of a felony who have received a Certificate of Relief from Civil Disabilities or a Certificate of Good Conduct may be qualified to serve as jurors."
  23. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517(a)(1),(2)."provided that if the prospective juror is a breastfeeding mother and submits with her application a note from a physician or nurse practitioner indicating that the prospective juror is breastfeeding, the commissioner shall excuse the prospective juror or postpone the time of jury service."
  24. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517 - Excuses and postponements. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 517(a)(2)."provided that if the prospective juror is a breastfeeding mother, the postponement date may be a date certain up to two years after the date on which such service otherwise is to commence."
  25. NY Courts – Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."You can postpone your service once online or by calling 800-449-2819 at least one week before your date of service."
  26. NY Courts - Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."Pick a date between 2 and 6 months from the date on your summons"
  27. NY Courts - Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."Any future request for postponement or excusal must be made by contacting your local commissioner of juror's office."
  28. Justia - N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 22, § 128.6-a. 22 NYCRR § 128.6-a(a)(2)."(2) The commissioner may grant a prospective juror's subsequent request for a postponement of jury service, but only upon a written application, containing documentation acceptable to the commissioner, showing that an inability to obtain a postponement would result in a hardship that was unanticipated at the time of the prior postponement. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the commissioner shall not grant a prospective juror more than three postponements of jury service, nor shall the aggregate period of postponements granted to a prospective juror exceed 18 months."
  29. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 525. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 525(c); 22 NYCRR 128.8(b)."For the purposes of this section, actual attendance shall include a juror's actual physical attendance wherein the court convenes or service by means of a telephone standby system whereby a juror shall remain available to report for jury service upon notification by means of telephone or other electronic communication."
  30. NY Courts – Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."Jurors who do not sit on a jury trial may serve for as little as 1–2 days. Those who are selected to serve on a jury are required to serve on only one trial."
  31. NYS Unified Court System – Jury Information for Employers (Revised June 2025). UCS Jury Information for Employers."Jurors who physically report to serve in Town and Village courts are not required to serve again for two years."
  32. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527 - Procedure for noncompliance. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527(3)(a)."the court or judicial hearing officer shall have the authority to impose a penalty in an amount not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars and shall issue an order fixing a date certain for jury service by the respondent."
  33. 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.