Bring your jury summons and a valid photo ID to jury duty in California, plus a sweater, something to read, and small snacks for the wait. Leave anything sharp or metal at home, including pocket knives, scissors, knitting needles, nail clippers, and metal utensils, because courthouse security will confiscate them at the door with no option to store them for you.
The Two Things You Cannot Forget
Your summons is the single most important item. The top portion carries your juror identification number, reporting date, courthouse address, and check-in instructions, and you bring that portion with you when you report.1Superior Court of California | County of Inyo. Frequently Asked Questions If you have lost it before your service date, call or email your local jury services office; the number is on your county superior court’s website.
Bring photo ID as well. A California driver’s license, state ID card, or passport all work. If your summons went missing, photo ID is how the jury clerk looks you up and confirms your attendance.1Superior Court of California | County of Inyo. Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes the Wait Bearable
Most of jury duty is waiting, and the jury assembly room allows the things that help you pass time. Books, magazines, and e-readers are fine. Courtrooms tend to run cold, so a sweater or light jacket is worth tossing in your bag. You can also bring small snacks and a sealed non-alcoholic drink, though eating, drinking, and chewing gum are not allowed inside the courtroom itself.2Superior Court of California | County of Shasta. Court Appearance Rules Some courthouses limit beverages to a single factory-sealed plastic water bottle of 20 ounces or less, so a large travel mug is a bad bet.3Superior Court of California | County of Tulare. Court Security Information
Laptops, Phones, and Chargers
Laptops, tablets, and cell phones are allowed inside California courthouses, and you can use them freely in the jury assembly room for email, texting, browsing, or working. Some courthouses offer Wi-Fi in the jury lounge; others do not. If you plan to work while waiting, bring a charger and assume the connection might be spotty.
The rules change the moment you step into a courtroom. Judges prohibit cell phones, cameras, and any device capable of recording audio, video, or photos, and even having a phone powered on is often not permitted.4Judicial Branch of California. Jury Service Silence your devices before entering and keep them in your bag.
One rule catches people off guard: you cannot research the case, read news about the trial, or post anything on social media about your jury service. That includes casual mentions on Facebook, texts about case details, and anything on X, Instagram, or a personal blog. The restriction lasts for the entire duration of your service.
What to Wear
California’s judicial branch tells jurors to wear comfortable clothing that fits “the importance and dignity of the courtroom.” Shorts, tank tops, and bare midriffs are specifically not allowed.4Judicial Branch of California. Jury Service Flip-flops and hats (except for religious head coverings) are also discouraged. Business casual is a safe default. Jurors who show up in prohibited attire risk being sent home and rescheduled, which means going through the whole process again.
What to Leave at Home
The prohibited list goes well beyond weapons, and confiscated items will not be stored for you. If something gets taken at the door, you either walk back to your car or lose the item. The following list is drawn from Los Angeles County Superior Court and is typical of California courthouses statewide:5Superior Court of California | Los Angeles County. Prohibited Items
- All knives, including pocket knives, box cutters, and razors
- Firearms and ammunition, including replicas and belt buckles resembling firearms
- Stun guns, tasers, pepper spray, and mace
- Scissors, knitting needles, and crochet needles
- Tools of any kind
- Metal nail files, nail clippers, and manicure sets
- Glass and ceramic containers
- Chains, locks, and metal or studded belts
- Lighters, matches, and lighter fluid
- Laser pointers and flashlights longer than three inches
- Metal utensils: knives, forks, and spoons
- Sporting equipment and martial arts equipment
- Any item security personnel deem potentially dangerous
Bringing a weapon into a courthouse is also a criminal offense. Under California Penal Code Section 171b, knowingly bringing a firearm, a knife with a blade longer than four inches, a stun gun, or tear gas into a court building is a felony or misdemeanor depending on the item.6California Legislative Information. California Code PEN 171b Courthouse security rules go further than the statute: even a two-inch pocket knife or a metal fork will be confiscated. Anything sharp or metal is safest at home.
Getting Through Security
Every person entering a California courthouse passes through a security checkpoint. You walk through a metal detector while your bags, backpacks, briefcases, and purses go through an X-ray machine on a conveyor belt.7Superior Court of California | County of San Joaquin. Access and Security Screening Policy There are no exceptions for jurors.
Before you reach the metal detector, pull out your belt, cell phone, keys, and anything else metal, and place them in the screening bin.8Superior Court of California | County of Solano. Security Screening Watches and heavy jewelry can set off the alarm. If the detector goes off, a deputy may use a handheld wand or conduct a brief pat-down. If you have a pacemaker or other medical implant that prevents you from walking through the detector, tell the security officer before reaching the checkpoint so they can screen you another way.
Lines are longest first thing in the morning, when everyone arrives at once. Give yourself at least 15 to 20 extra minutes beyond your check-in time, especially at larger urban courthouses. That buffer, combined with a bag packed the night before, is the difference between a smooth arrival and a stressful one.