Learn About Jury Duty Age Requirements

Understanding the Basic Age Requirement for Jury Duty

Jury duty is a civic responsibility that involves ordinary citizens sitting in court to listen to evidence and help decide cases. The most fundamental requirement to be called for jury service is age. In all 50 states and federal courts, you must be at least 18 years old to serve on a jury. This age requirement is established in state and federal laws and serves as the first screening point when court systems identify potential jurors.

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The 18-year-old minimum exists because the law assumes that at this age, a person has reached adulthood and possesses the maturity and judgment needed to make important decisions about other people's cases. Being a juror requires understanding complex information, following judicial instructions, and weighing evidence fairly. The courts consider 18 to be the age at which these capacities have generally developed.

It's important to note that simply being 18 or older does not automatically mean you will be called for jury duty or that you must serve. Age is just one of several requirements. However, if you are under 18, you will not be considered for jury selection in any case, regardless of other factors. Some states have explored raising the minimum age requirement to 21, but as of now, 18 remains the standard across the country.

If you receive a jury summons and you are not yet 18, you should contact the court immediately to inform them of your age. Do not ignore the summons. Courts take seriously any communication about why you cannot serve, and responding helps them understand your situation. You may be asked to provide proof of your date of birth.

Practical Takeaway: If you are 18 or older and a U.S. citizen, you may be in the pool of people courts consider for jury service. If you receive a summons before turning 18, contact the court to report your age.

Maximum Age Limits and Senior Juror Considerations

Unlike the minimum age requirement, which is uniform across the country, maximum age requirements for jury duty vary by state and sometimes by court type. Many states have no upper age limit at all, meaning someone who is 80, 90, or even older could theoretically be called to serve. However, some states and the federal court system do have age limits or offer automatic exemptions for older citizens.

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As of recent years, several states offer or require exemptions for people over certain ages. For example, some states exempt people over 70 or 75 from jury duty, though they may still be called if they wish to serve. The federal court system does not have a mandatory age limit but allows judges discretion to excuse older jurors if service would create hardship. This flexibility reflects the understanding that very long trials or stressful jury service might be difficult for someone with age-related health concerns.

The reasoning behind age-related exemptions is practical. Jury service can involve sitting in court for extended periods, listening to complex testimony, and making difficult decisions. Some people over a certain age may have health conditions, mobility issues, or medical appointments that make long trial service genuinely difficult. Courts recognize this reality and often provide options for older citizens to be excused without penalty.

If you are over 70, check your state's specific rules about jury duty. Some courts automatically excuse people in this age range with no action needed on your part. Others require you to request an exemption when you receive a summons. The summons itself should include information about age-related exemptions in your state. If it does not, you can contact the court clerk's office to learn about options available to you.

Practical Takeaway: If you are in your late 60s or older, your state may offer an exemption from jury duty, but rules differ widely. Check the information that comes with any jury summons or contact your local court to understand what applies in your area.

Citizenship Requirements That Work With Age Rules

Being the right age is necessary but not sufficient to serve on a jury. You must also be a citizen of the United States. This citizenship requirement exists alongside the age requirement in all state and federal courts. Together, age and citizenship form the foundational qualifications that courts check first when evaluating potential jurors.

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Citizenship can be established in several ways. You may be a U.S. citizen by birth, meaning you were born in one of the 50 states or a U.S. territory, or abroad to U.S. citizen parents. You may also be a naturalized citizen, having completed the immigration and naturalization process and taken the citizenship oath. In either case, you are equally qualified to serve on a jury.

Courts typically verify citizenship using voter registration records, driver's license information, and answers provided on jury questionnaires. When you receive a jury summons, it often comes from voter rolls or DMV databases, which contain citizenship information. If there is any question about your citizenship status, the court will ask you to provide documentation, such as a birth certificate, passport, naturalization certificate, or citizenship document.

If you are a permanent resident (green card holder) or a visa holder, you are not considered a U.S. citizen for jury duty purposes, and you cannot serve on a jury. If you receive a jury summons and are not a citizen, you should respond to the summons and clearly state your immigration status. Courts need this information to manage their juror pools appropriately. You will not face penalties for being ineligible due to immigration status; the summons system simply has limitations in accessing complete citizenship data.

Practical Takeaway: You must be both 18 or older and a U.S. citizen to be considered for jury duty. When responding to a jury summons, answer all questions about citizenship honestly.

State Variations in Age and Related Requirements

While federal law and most state laws align on the basic 18-year-old minimum age for jury duty, specific details vary considerably from state to state. Some states impose additional requirements tied to age, residency, language ability, or mental capacity. Understanding these variations matters if you live near state borders or if you have questions about your particular jurisdiction.

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Most states require that you have been a resident of the state for a certain period—often one year—before being called for jury duty. This residency requirement sometimes intersects with age. For instance, an 18-year-old who just moved to a state would not yet meet the residency requirement, even though they meet the age requirement. A few states have shorter residency periods, such as 6 months, while others do not enforce strict residency requirements at all.

Some states also require that potential jurors have a basic understanding of English, since trials are conducted in English and jurors must understand testimony and judicial instructions. This is not formally an age requirement, but it can affect younger immigrants or people who grew up in non-English-speaking households. Courts may ask about English proficiency during jury selection.

A handful of states have experimented with raising the minimum age above 18. As of 2024, no state has officially changed its minimum to 21, though some judges and policymakers have argued that doing so might improve jury quality. In contrast, some very old common law traditions in a few states mentioned a higher age, but these are no longer enforced. Always check your specific state's court website or rules if you want current information about age requirements in your location.

Practical Takeaway: Beyond the basic 18-year-old minimum, check your state's specific jury duty rules online or through your local court. Requirements for residency, language ability, and other factors vary by location.

How Age Requirements Are Verified and Enforced

When a court system sends out jury summonses, it uses records from multiple sources to create a list of potential jurors. Voter registration databases and driver's license records are the primary sources, as these typically include date of birth information. The court's computer systems filter out anyone whose birth date indicates they are under 18 years old. This automated screening happens before anyone receives a physical summons.

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When you respond to a jury summons, you will usually fill out a questionnaire that asks your date of birth. This gives the court a second opportunity to verify your age using information you provide directly. If there is a discrepancy between the age calculated from your summons source records and the age you report, the court will investigate. Providing false information about your age on a jury questionnaire could result in contempt of court charges, so accuracy is important.

During jury selection, which is called "voir dire," attorneys and the judge ask potential jurors questions. Age