If you’ve been summoned for Polk County jury duty, you report to the Polk County Courthouse in Bartow on the date and time listed on your summons, and you may be seated on a trial panel that same day. If you can’t serve when called, Florida law lets you request a postponement or an excusal, but ignoring the summons carries a fine of up to $100 and a possible contempt-of-court finding.1Florida Senate. Florida Code 40.23 – Summoning Jurors
Where to Report and How to Check In
Jury duty takes place at the Polk County Courthouse in Bartow. Juror parking is in the Blue Parking Lot, directly west of the courthouse on West Davidson Street. The lot opens at 7:30 a.m. and has an attendant at the gate. Nearby parking is free; a paid parking garage in the area will not be reimbursed.2Polk County Clerk, FL. Jury Duty310th Judicial Circuit Court. Polk County Courthouse
Enter through the North entrance and go through security, which is similar to airport screening. After clearing the checkpoint, head to the jury assembly room. Court staff are available to point the way and confirm your attendance.
The evening before your reporting date, check whether your juror number has actually been called. You can look it up on the Polk County Clerk’s website or call the Juror Hotline at 863-534-4582.4Polk County Clerk, FL. Jury Service Guide
What to Bring and What to Leave at Home
Complete your juror questionnaire before you arrive, not at the courthouse. Bring a government-issued photo ID for security.2Polk County Clerk, FL. Jury Duty
The dress code is casual business attire. Plain jeans are fine. Tank tops, shorts, bare midriffs, exposed shoulders, bare feet, and hats or caps are not allowed in the courtroom. Courtrooms run cold, so a sweater or light jacket is a good idea.2Polk County Clerk, FL. Jury Duty
Security screens for a longer list of items than most people expect. Weapons are prohibited, along with knitting needles, scissors, glass bottles, chains, pepper spray, tools, and anything that could be used as a weapon. Newspapers are banned, though books and magazines are fine. Cell phones are allowed but have to come out of your bag during screening.4Polk County Clerk, FL. Jury Service Guide
If You Can’t Serve on Your Date
You have two options: postpone or request an excusal.
A postponement moves your service up to six months out. You can request it in writing or orally, and you can suggest a preferred new date. During a declared public health emergency or state of emergency, the window extends to twelve months.1Florida Senate. Florida Code 40.23 – Summoning Jurors
An excusal removes you from that specific summons. Florida law lets the following people request one:
- Anyone age 70 or older, upon request.
- Expectant mothers, upon request, with no additional documentation required by statute.
- A parent not employed full-time who has custody of a child under six.
- A person responsible for someone who cannot care for themselves due to a physical or mental condition.
- Full-time federal, state, or local law enforcement officers and investigative personnel are excused automatically, though they may choose to serve.
- Full-time students ages 18 to 21 attending a high school, state university, Florida College System institution, private postsecondary school, or career center.5Florida Senate. Florida Code 40.013 – Persons Disqualified or Excused From Jury Service
If someone is permanently unable to care for themselves, a physician’s written statement can support a request for permanent excusal from all future jury service.6Florida Statutes. Florida Code 40.013 – Persons Disqualified or Excused From Jury Service
Failing to appear after a proper summons carries a fine of up to $100, and the court can treat the absence as contempt, which opens the door to additional consequences at the judge’s discretion.1Florida Senate. Florida Code 40.23 – Summoning Jurors
Who Can’t Serve
To qualify, you must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen, and a legal resident of Florida and Polk County. You also need a Florida driver’s license or ID card; if you have neither, you can submit a sworn affidavit instead.7The Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes 40.01 – Qualifications of Jurors
You are disqualified if you are currently facing criminal charges or have a felony conviction and your civil rights have not been restored. Anyone with a direct personal interest in a case is barred from that jury.5Florida Senate. Florida Code 40.013 – Persons Disqualified or Excused From Jury Service
What Happens Once You’re There
After check-in, groups of prospective jurors are brought to courtrooms for voir dire, the questioning phase where the judge and attorneys assess whether each person can be fair and impartial for that particular case. You may be asked about your background, your opinions on certain topics, and any connection to the parties involved.
If you are not selected, you return to the assembly room and wait for the next call. If no more panels are needed, the court may release you for the day. Service length varies, and it’s possible to sit on a panel the same day you report.2Polk County Clerk, FL. Jury Duty
Pay and Job Protection
If your employer keeps paying your regular wages during service, you receive nothing extra from the court for the first three days. If you are not being paid by your employer during that period, you are entitled to $15 per day for those first three days. Starting on day four, every juror receives $30 per day regardless of employment status. Florida law does not reimburse jurors for travel or other out-of-pocket expenses through the clerk’s office.8The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 40.24 – Compensation and Reimbursement Policy
Florida law prohibits your employer from firing you for responding to a jury summons. An employer who violates that protection can be held liable for lost wages and other damages under Florida Statute 40.271 and related labor provisions. If you face retaliation for serving, it’s worth pursuing.
How Soon You Can Be Called Again
Once you report for jury service in Polk County, you are exempt from being summoned again for one year from your last day of service. If another summons arrives inside that 365-day window, you can request excusal on that basis.9The Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes Chapter 40 – Juries, Payment of Jurors and Due Process Costs Keep a record of your service dates so you can show them if the situation comes up.