Jury Duty

Santa Clara County jury duty involves responding to a summons, checking reporting instructions, and remaining available for service until the court releases you. This article explains how to register through the court’s online system, request a postponement or excuse, prepare for a courthouse visit, and understand service length, juror payments, parking, and workplace protections.

Who Handles Santa Clara County Jury Duty?

The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara administers trial jury service through its Jury Commissioner’s Office. That office handles summons questions, reporting instructions, and requests concerning your service. The court’s Jury Duty page provides access to the Online E-Juror Portal and local service information.

For a question about your summons, contact the Jury Commissioner’s Office rather than the Office of the Civil Grand Jury. Trial jury service and grand jury service are different assignments, and the court specifically identifies the Civil Grand Jury office as a separate contact that does not handle ordinary jury duty.

The Jury Commissioner’s Office provides assistance Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding court holidays. Telephone assistance is available Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. These telephone hours are shorter than the hours during which you may be required to serve.

Responding to Your Jury Summons

All summoned jurors must respond. A scheduling conflict, a move outside the county, or a belief that you do not qualify does not replace a response to the court. The court’s instructions for responding to a jury summons separate the process into three situations: you can serve, you need another service week, or you want to request disqualification or an excuse.

Registration Through the E-Juror Portal

Register by verifying or updating your personal information through the Online E-Juror Portal. If you are qualified and able to serve, follow the reporting instructions for your assigned week after registering. The portal also accepts requests for postponement, disqualification, or an excuse.

Keep your summons available when handling your service. Your juror badge number identifies your jury assignment; it is different from a court case number. The court requires the badge number when identifying you for certain inquiries and written requests.

Requests by Mail or in Person

If you cannot access the court’s website, you may write to the Jury Commissioner’s Office explaining your request. Include your juror badge number, name, and address. Sign and date the letter, and mail it within 10 days of receiving your summons. For a postponement, also identify the week you want to serve.

The court accepts requests through the portal, by mail, or in person. Jury Services email is for informational questions and cannot be used to request a postponement, disqualification, or excuse. Sending an email about a scheduling problem therefore does not submit the required request.

Qualifications, Disqualification, and Hardship

Trial jurors generally must be United States citizens, at least 18 years old, residents of Santa Clara County, and able to understand enough English to participate in a trial. Perfect English and legal knowledge are not required. The relevant question is whether you can understand and discuss the case.

The local court identifies additional disqualification grounds, including:

Not being domiciled in California because of employment or military service.

Having fulfilled a trial or grand jury obligation within the past 12 months, or currently serving or being scheduled to serve soon on another jury.

Being incarcerated in a jail or prison.

Being on parole, postrelease community supervision, felony probation, or mandated supervision for a felony conviction.

Being required to register as a sex offender under Penal Code section 290 because of a felony conviction.

Having a conviction for malfeasance in office without restoration of rights.

Being under a conservatorship.

Being an active-duty peace officer within the Penal Code categories identified by the court.

A past felony conviction alone does not automatically disqualify someone from trial jury service. Current supervision, incarceration, and the other conditions identified by the court matter. Submit a disqualification request through the court’s response process rather than assuming that an old conviction cancels the summons.

When Service Creates an Undue Hardship

Disqualification and an excuse are different. Disqualification concerns eligibility; an excuse may be requested by an eligible person whose circumstances create an undue hardship. California’s official jury service information identifies possible hardship grounds such as having no transportation, excessive travel distance, a physical or mental impairment, dependent care that cannot be covered affordably, or an extreme financial burden.

These circumstances support a request for court consideration rather than an automatic release. Even after requesting an excuse, you may be required to appear before a judge. For a serious health problem, illness, or injury, a postponement or excuse may be appropriate, and a doctor’s note may be required.

Advanced age alone does not provide an automatic exemption. If a health condition affects your ability to serve, explain that condition through the request process. If you receive another summons after serving within the past 12 months, contact the local jury office to resolve the duplicate-service issue.

Postponing Your Assigned Service Week

Santa Clara County allows one postponement each time you are summoned. A postponement moves your service to another week; it does not eliminate the obligation. Register and update your information before submitting the request through the portal.

General Scheduling Conflicts

For a general postponement, choose an available service week within 90 days of your original service week. Select a week when you can remain available, rather than a date that works only for a single morning or afternoon.

Service weeks begin on Monday. If Monday is a court holiday, the week begins on Tuesday. There is no jury service on weekends or court holidays.

Students and Nursing Mothers

Full-time students are expected to postpone service to a school-break week within six months of their original service week. Nursing mothers may select another week within one year of their service week.

These categories have different scheduling windows from the general 90-day postponement. Identify the applicable circumstance when requesting a change, and follow the court’s response instructions.

Standby Instructions and Reporting Status

All summoned jurors are initially on standby for their assigned week until specifically instructed to report. Being on standby means you must check your status and remain available; it does not mean you should automatically appear at a courthouse on Monday morning.

The weekend before your service week, access the portal through the court’s Serving as a Juror page or call the jury line for reporting instructions. During the week, continue checking as directed by your summons. Jurors who are not initially called to report may remain on telephone or online standby for up to five working days.

Follow instructions for your assigned group number. Registration and reporting checks are separate steps: completing your personal information does not tell you whether your group must appear. Your reporting instructions determine the courthouse, date, and time for attendance.

When Your Service Is Finished

If you report and are not assigned to a courtroom that day, your service is complete at the end of the day. You do not need to continue checking the recorded message or portal afterward.

If you are assigned to a courtroom, you must remain available until excused from jury selection. If selected as a sworn juror or alternate, you must serve for the entire trial. The one-day service rule therefore does not guarantee that every person who reports will finish that day.

Plan for approximately 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. when attending court, depending on the court’s schedule. A trial can extend beyond your original standby week. The judge will provide an estimate during selection; explain any serious hardship associated with a lengthy trial at that stage.

Courthouse Assignments and Parking

The court’s jury information identifies assembly locations at Downtown Superior Courthouse, Hall of Justice, South County Courthouse in Morgan Hill, and Palo Alto Courthouse. Your assignment depends on court needs, so do not choose a courthouse simply because it is closest to home.

The supplied official courthouse directory marks Palo Alto Courthouse as temporarily closed, while the jury information describes its assembly room. Follow the reporting instructions for your service week and contact the jury office if your assignment needs clarification.

The jury assembly room is on the first floor at Downtown Superior Courthouse and South County Courthouse, and on the second floor at Hall of Justice. The jury information identifies the Palo Alto assembly room on the fourth floor of the office wing.

Downtown Parking Validation

At Downtown Superior Courthouse, the court validates parking only at the Victory Mitchell parking lot. This is an open lot with limited spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. The court does not validate or reimburse other downtown parking.

After parking in that lot, note your license plate number and proceed directly to the Jury Commissioner’s Office. Staff provide a website link for processing the zero-dollar validation using your license plate and cell phone number. Validation must be processed immediately; a citation resulting from failure to complete it is your responsibility.

Review parking instructions for the courthouse where you are assigned. Do not park at a meter, because you will not be permitted to leave a court session to add time. The court cannot dismiss your parking ticket. If instructed to report to Palo Alto, retain the small side tab from your summons because it also serves as your parking permit.

Public Transportation Reimbursement

The court encourages public transportation because juror parking is limited. Jurors may request $12 per day for public transportation instead of mileage reimbursement. Ask a jury clerk for the waiver form. California’s statewide jury information explains that public transportation reimbursement begins on the first day, while mileage reimbursement begins on the second day.

Preparing for Courthouse Security

Bring your summons when instructed to report, but detach and retain its small side tab for your records. Dress as you would for a business meeting or social function; shorts and tank tops are not appropriate.

The court’s juror security instructions describe airport-style screening. You will pass through a metal detector, and bags and containers will be X-rayed. Review your belongings before leaving home to avoid bringing prohibited items.

Prohibited items include knives, scissors, nail clippers, knitting needles, weapons and toy guns, drugs, alcoholic beverages, glass containers, extra clothing not worn on your person, and large backpacks or suitcases containing personal items. Security personnel may also exclude other inappropriate items. Compact and DSLR cameras require advance arrangements with the court.

Smartphones, tablets, and computers with recording or photographic capabilities may be brought into the courtroom under the local rules only if turned off. Using them requires prior approval from the courtroom’s judge. You may bring a book or newspaper for waiting periods and recesses, but do not read during court proceedings. Eating and chewing gum are prohibited in the courtroom.

Accessibility and Special Arrangements

If you need wheelchair assistance, hearing amplification, special seating, or another accommodation, contact the local jury office promptly and explain what you need. The court identifies an ADA coordinator and a dedicated Jury ADA/TDD line in its contact directory.

A request for an accommodation is separate from a request to be excused. California’s jury information explains that if the court cannot reasonably accommodate you, you may request an excuse.

Employment, Attendance, and Delays

Employers must allow time off for jury service. California protections prohibit firing or harassing an employee because the employee has been summoned. Give your employer reasonable advance notice, preferably when you receive the summons. School employees and students also have protections under the California Education Code.

Time off and continued wages are different issues. Some employers pay the difference between regular wages and jury fees, but that pay differential is not required by law. Review your employment arrangements when planning for service.

If you will be late, contact the Jury Commissioner’s Office as soon as you know. Once assigned to a courtroom, contact that courtroom directly. If you cannot reach it, contact the jury office or court clerk and explain the situation. A trial cannot proceed until the required participants are present, and an unjustified delay may result in a fine.

Ignoring a summons can lead to court proceedings. The court explains that failure to respond or attend as directed may result in an order to appear and, following an order-to-show-cause hearing, a contempt finding. Possible penalties include a fine of up to $1,500, up to five days in county jail, or both.

Jury Fees and Payment Processing

Santa Clara County pays eligible jurors $15 per day beginning with the second day of service. The first day does not earn the daily jury fee. The court’s jury payment and service information explains that payment days require physically reporting to the courthouse; days spent on standby do not count.

Government employees who receive regular compensation and benefits while performing jury service do not receive the additional $15 daily fee. The court asks these jurors to sign a jury-fee waiver.

Mileage is calculated automatically using your home ZIP code. Jury payroll is processed every two weeks, so a juror may receive more than one check. Keep your name and address correct in the court’s system: jury payroll checks are not forwarded by the post office.

The court does not provide meals during trial or deliberations. Account for meals when planning a full day of attendance.

Selection and Conduct During a Trial

During jury selection, the judge explains the case and identifies the parties and attorneys. The judge or attorneys then ask prospective jurors questions to determine whether they can be fair and impartial. An attorney may ask that a juror be excused for a specific legal reason or exercise a permitted challenge without stating a reason.

After the jury is selected and sworn, the parties present their case and evidence. The judge explains the applicable law and the jury’s duties before deliberations. Jurors select a foreperson to lead discussion and record the verdict.

Your decision must be based on evidence presented in court. Do not investigate independently, contact witnesses, or conduct experiments. Do not discuss the case with others while it is pending. Discussion with fellow jurors takes place during deliberations as directed by the court.

If someone tries to influence you or persists in discussing the trial, inform the bailiff. If you have privacy concerns, raise them with the judge. After discharge, you do not have to speak with the media or parties to the case, and you may contact the court if you feel harassed.

Jury Questions and Scam Prevention

For informational inquiries, the court’s general jury information page provides its email contact and explains the identification details required: juror badge number, full name, full address, and date of birth. Email responses generally take three to five business days. Requests to change or excuse service must use the portal, mail, or an in-person submission.

Distinguish an inquiry you initiate through the court’s official contact channel from an unexpected message asking for personal information. Santa Clara County Superior Court does not send jury summonses by email, text, or other electronic communication, and its personnel do not request personal juror information by telephone.

The California judiciary’s jury scam alert warns against requests for bank or credit card information, gift cards, cryptocurrency, payment apps, or wire transfers connected to jury service. If you receive such a demand, contact your local law enforcement fraud unit and the court’s Jury Services office.

Jury Service Offices

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara — Jury Commissioner’s Office
Mailing address: 191 N. First St., San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (408) 808-6666
Jury ADA/TDD: (408) 882-2591

Jury Duty FAQs

Why did I get summoned if I’m not registered to vote?

Santa Clara County selects prospective jurors randomly from several sources, including resident state tax filers and Department of Motor Vehicles records for licensed drivers and identification cardholders. Voter registration is only one source. Removing your name from voter registration does not prevent a jury summons. The court’s explanation of juror selection also states that your name remains on the prospective juror list for at least one year and may be included again the following year.

What if a family emergency happens during trial?

Tell court staff promptly so the judge can consider the situation. California’s official jury guidance explains that a judge may excuse a juror for a significant emergency at any point during trial, including deliberations, and an alternate may take that juror’s place. Release is the judge’s decision; an emergency does not automatically end your service. Explain what happened and why your presence elsewhere is necessary.

Why do attorneys speak to the judge privately?

Conversations outside the jury’s hearing usually concern legal issues or whether particular evidence can be presented. Santa Clara County’s court guidance explains that these discussions can help the trial proceed efficiently and prevent a mistrial. Do not guess what was said or treat the private discussion as evidence. Extended breaks may also allow attorneys to prepare witnesses or the judge to handle other court business.

Does every juror have to agree on the verdict?

The court’s guidance on jury deliberations distinguishes civil and criminal trials. In a standard 12-person civil jury, nine jurors must agree to reach a verdict. A criminal verdict requires unanimous agreement. Follow the judge’s instructions for your particular case. After the verdict is announced, the jury may be polled, meaning each juror is asked individually whether the announced verdict is their own.

Will I receive proof of jury service?

California’s jury service guidance states that jurors receive proof of service after the verdict and are then released. If you need documentation for an employer or school, ask court staff about obtaining it before leaving. A summons shows that you were called; it does not establish which days you actually attended.