A federal jury summons in Arizona means the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona has randomly selected you as a prospective juror, and you are required by law to respond. Your name was drawn from voter registration lists and, in many districts, driver’s license records to build the pool for federal cases heard in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, or Yuma. Being summoned does not mean you will actually sit on a jury. It does mean that until the court tells you otherwise, you have to follow every instruction in the packet.
A federal summons is separate from anything you might get from an Arizona superior court or a city court. Federal courts handle a narrower slice of cases: criminal prosecutions under federal law and certain civil disputes between parties from different states.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S. Code 1332 – Diversity of Citizenship; Amount in Controversy; Costs If you’ve served state jury duty before, this is not the same system and the rules differ.
Who Qualifies and Who Is Exempt
Federal law sets the baseline. To serve, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, a resident of the District of Arizona for at least one year, and able to read, write, and speak English well enough to complete the questionnaire and follow proceedings.2United States Courts. Juror Qualifications, Exemptions and Excuses You are disqualified if you are currently facing a felony charge punishable by more than a year in prison, or if you have a prior felony conviction and your civil rights have not been restored. A serious mental or physical condition that prevents service is also disqualifying.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S. Code 1865 – Qualifications for Jury Service
Three groups are automatically exempt: active-duty members of the Armed Forces; full-time members of state, local, or territorial fire and police departments; and full-time public officers in the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of federal, state, or local government who are actively performing official duties.4Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S. Code 1863 – Plan for Random Jury Selection If one of those categories fits you, note it on the questionnaire and the court will remove you from the pool.
How to Respond to the Summons
Your first task is the Juror Qualification Questionnaire. The District of Arizona prefers that you complete it through the eJuror online portal; some people receive a paper form instead.5United States Courts. Juror Selection Process Your summons includes a participant number you’ll need to log in. Through eJuror you can submit the questionnaire, request an excuse or postponement, list dates you are unavailable, update your contact information, and later confirm your reporting status.6United States District Court – District of Arizona. Information for Jurors
Answer accurately. Providing false information on a federal jury questionnaire is itself a punishable offense. Once you submit, the court tells you whether to report, defer, or stand excused. You can also check status by calling 1-877-785-1415 and entering your participant number.6United States District Court – District of Arizona. Information for Jurors
Deferrals and Excuses
A deferral pushes your service to a later date. An excuse removes you from the current pool entirely. In the District of Arizona, neither can be granted by phone. All requests must go through the eJuror portal, by mail, or by fax to the appropriate courthouse.6United States District Court – District of Arizona. Information for Jurors Deferrals are usually granted for things like a scheduled medical procedure or prepaid travel. The court retains discretion and limits how many times you can postpone. If granted, you’ll be reassigned to a new term, typically within a few months.
If you are at least 70 years old on your scheduled date of service, the District of Arizona lets you request a permanent excuse. The cutoff is strict: if your 70th birthday falls even one day after your service date, you don’t qualify for this excuse.7United States District Court – District of Arizona. Excuse Request Information
What Service Will Actually Look Like
A summons can call you for one of two very different kinds of service. A petit jury is what most people picture: a panel that hears a single civil or criminal trial and decides the outcome. Federal petit jury service is often described as “one day or one trial.” You report for a day, and if you aren’t selected, your obligation is usually complete. If you are selected, you serve until the trial ends, which could be a few days or several weeks.
A grand jury is a different commitment. Grand jurors do not decide guilt or innocence. They review evidence from federal prosecutors and decide whether there is enough to indict. A special grand jury term runs 18 months and can be extended up to 36 months.8Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 3331 – Summoning and Term of Grand Jury Grand jurors typically meet only a few days per month, but the overall time commitment is much larger than a petit jury’s.
Courthouses and Pay
The District of Arizona holds jury trials in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, and Yuma.9United States District Court – District of Arizona. Court Locations You’ll generally be summoned to whichever is closest to where you live.
Federal jurors receive $50 per day of attendance.10Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S. Code 1871 – Fees On top of that, you receive mileage reimbursement for round-trip travel between your home and the courthouse, calculated at a rate set by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.11United States Courts. Fees of Jurors and Commissioners FY 2026 Parking validation or reimbursement is typically provided as well.
Your Job Is Protected
Under 28 U.S.C. ยง 1875, no employer may fire, threaten to fire, intimidate, or coerce any permanent employee because of federal jury service or scheduled federal jury service. An employer who violates the law can be ordered to pay lost wages and benefits, reinstate a fired employee, and face a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation per employee, plus potential community service.12Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S. Code 1875 – Protection of Jurors Employment
Federal law does not require your employer to keep paying your salary during service. Some employers do, as a matter of company policy, but it isn’t mandated at the federal level. For a long grand jury term in particular, the $50 daily fee may be your only income, so plan ahead.
What Happens If You Ignore the Summons
Ignoring a federal jury summons is not a safe gamble. If you fail to appear as directed, the court can order you to come in and explain yourself. Without a good reason, you face a fine of up to $1,000, up to three days of imprisonment, court-ordered community service, or any combination of those penalties.13Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S. Code 1866 – Selection and Summoning of Jury Panels Jail time for a first-time no-show is uncommon, but willful noncompliance is taken seriously. If the date doesn’t work, respond and request a deferral.
How to Spot a Jury Duty Scam
Scammers often call people claiming they missed jury duty and must pay a fine right away to avoid arrest. The calls can sound convincing, including spoofed caller ID showing a court or sheriff’s number and the names of real judges. The demand always lands in the same place: payment by gift card, prepaid card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer.
A few facts tell the real thing from a scam. Legitimate federal jury summonses arrive by U.S. mail. The court will not call to demand payment, and no fine for missed service can be imposed without you first appearing before a judge. Federal courts will not ask for your Social Security number, credit card number, or other sensitive personal information by phone or email.14United States Courts. Juror Scams The District of Arizona confirms the same on its own site: any legitimate contact from court staff will not include requests for sensitive information.6United States District Court – District of Arizona. Information for Jurors If a call feels off, hang up and contact the Jury Clerk’s Office directly to verify whether you actually have an active summons.