Independent guide to jury service. Not affiliated with any court or government agency.
Jury Duty Explained
New York state courts

Who can serve on a jury in New York

The four legal requirements, what disqualifies you, and the most common misunderstandings.

To serve on a New York jury 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 felony1. There is no upper age limit2.

Verified November 10, 2026 by Roger K. NeustadtSee sources

The four requirements

  • Citizen and county residentA citizen of the United States and a resident of the county1.
  • At least 18Not less than eighteen years of age1.
  • No felony convictionNot convicted of a felony1. See the question on certificates below.
  • EnglishAble to understand and communicate in English1.

You may be sent a qualification questionnaire, due back within 10 days of mailing3. If you do not return it, you may be summoned to fill it out in person4.

Common misunderstandings

Common belief

You are excused automatically once you turn 70.

What the rule says

There is no upper age limit and no automatic age exemption2.

Common belief

Some jobs are exempt, such as doctors or police officers.

What the rule says

New York has no automatic exemptions5.

Questions

I have a felony conviction. Can I ever serve?

The statute requires that you not have been convicted of a felony1. The courts say people with a Certificate of Relief from Civil Disabilities may qualify6. Ask your Commissioner of Jurors whether this applies to you.

I served recently. Can I be summoned again?

After serving on a state or federal jury you generally cannot be summoned again for six years, or eight if you served more than 10 days7. Jurors who physically reported to a town or village court are not required to serve again for two years8.

I moved to another county. What should I do?

You must be a resident of the county that summoned you1. Tell that county's jury office about your move and keep proof of your new address.

How was I chosen?

Names are drawn at random from voter registration lists and other lists, such as driver's license records9.

What to do next

  1. Answer the qualification questionnaire within 10 days of mailing, even if you think you do not qualify3.
  2. If you have a question about your eligibility, contact the Commissioner of Jurors for your county: New York courts juror site
Exemptions and excusesIf you qualify but cannot serve.Jury duty in New YorkAll of New York's rules.

Sources

9 official sources, with the exact sentence each rule comes from
  1. 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."
  2. NY Courts – Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."Jurors must be at least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit."
  3. 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."
  4. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 509 - Qualification of jurors. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 509(b)."If the questionnaire has not been returned or properly completed, or if the commissioner otherwise determines that a personal interview is required, the commissioner may summon the prospective juror to appear before him or her for the purpose of filling out the questionnaire or being examined as to his or her competence, qualifications, eligibility and liability to serve as a juror."
  5. NY Courts – Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."There are no automatic exemptions or excuses from jury service in New York State."
  6. 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."
  7. 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."
  8. 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."
  9. 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"

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.