Justitia - Do I have to respond to a jury summons?

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Q. Do I have to respond to a jury summons?

A. Yes - Jury service, sometimes called jury duty, is an important responsibility of citizens. For justice to be served, courts depend on fair, impartial jurors from the community to decide the facts of a case.

Anyone who receives a jury questionnaire and/or summons must respond. Those who do not respond can be held in contempt of court. The penalty could be a fine or jail. MCL 600.1346

State law does provide for the chief judge of a court to excuse or postpone jury service in certain circumstances. MCL 600.1335 However, the person who has been summoned must contact the court to explain the situation and ask to be excused or deferred. 

Students may postpone jury service if it conflicts with their classes. Jury service for high school students must be postponed by the court until the end of the school year. For full-time college/vocational students who provide proof that serving will interfere with class schedules, service must be postponed by the court until the end of the academic year.

More Information

Best of Justitia - Jury Service (PDF)

Jury Orientation: Selection, Trial, Deliberation (6-min video)

Juror Qualifications

• U.S. citizen
• At least 18 years of age
• Able to communicate in English
• Mentally and physically able
• No felonies
• Resident of the district where called to serve