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Jury Duty Explained
New York state courts

Missed jury duty in New York

What happens if you miss a summons or questionnaire, how the noncompliance process works, and how to fix it.

Missing jury duty in New York can lead to a civil penalty of up to $2501 and an order setting a new date2. No penalty can be imposed unless you received the summons and were served a notice of noncompliance3.

Verified November 10, 2026 by Roger K. NeustadtSee sources

What happens, step by step

The noncompliance process

  1. Missed dateYou did not return the questionnaire or did not attend1.
  2. NoticeYou are served a notice of noncompliance by mail or in person3.
  3. RespondAdmit the noncompliance or ask for a hearing4.
  4. HearingIf you ask for one, you get at least 30 days' notice5.
  5. OutcomeIf you are found in noncompliance, the court may impose a penalty of up to $250 and will set a new date2.

Do not ignore the notice

Failing to respond counts as an admission, and a default judgment for a penalty may be entered against you6. The notice may arrive in an envelope marked "personal and confidential" that does not show it is from a court7.

The courts also warn that skipping jury duty can result in civil or criminal penalties8.

Calls and texts about a missed date

Common belief

The court will call you and ask you to pay a fine by phone or app.

What the rule says

New York courts never ask for payment by phone or payment app for jury fines, and never ask for financial or family information by phone9.

What to do next

  1. Contact your county's jury office as soon as you realize you missed your date: New York courts juror site
  2. If you receive a notice of noncompliance, respond by the deadline it gives4.
  3. Serve on the new date you are given2.
Jury duty in New YorkAll of New York's rules.Postponing in New YorkMove a future date.

Sources

9 official sources, with the exact sentence each rule comes from
  1. 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."
  2. 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."
  3. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527 - Procedure for noncompliance. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527(2)."No penalty hereunder may be imposed upon any person unless it is established that he or she received the juror's qualification questionnaire or summons and unless such person is served, either personally or by first-class mail, with a notice of noncompliance."
  4. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527 - Procedure for noncompliance. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527(2)(b)."Require the person served, at a time and in a manner to be specified in such notice, to respond to the notice by admitting his or her noncompliance or requesting a hearing thereon;"
  5. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527 - Procedure for noncompliance. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527(3)(b)(i)."Whenever a person served with a notice of noncompliance requests a hearing thereon, such hearing shall be scheduled and the person so notified not sooner than thirty days in advance of the hearing date."
  6. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527 - Procedure for noncompliance. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527(2)(c)."Advise the person served that failure to respond to such notice shall be deemed an admission of noncompliance and a default judgment may be entered against such person for a penalty hereunder."
  7. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 527(5)(b)(i)."by mailing a copy of the notice of noncompliance by first-class mail to such person at his or her place of residence in an envelope bearing the legend "personal and confidential" and not indicating on the outside of the envelope that the communication is from a court, the commissioner of jurors or any other public officer or official."
  8. NY Courts – Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."Jury duty, like paying taxes, is mandatory. Skipping jury duty can result in civil or criminal penalties."
  9. 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.