The Judicial Branch of Arizona, Maricopa County
Jury Services >General Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Contacting the Jury Office How can I reach the Jury office?
The Jury Office is open Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. An automated phone system is in place to assist jurors during the day and after-hours. By calling (602) 372-JURY, jurors can get information on court locations and hours, juror qualifications, how to request an excuse and how to ask for a postponement of their date of service. During business hours, jurors may call that same number to speak with staff. The Jury Office fax number is (602) 506-6078. The address is:
The list of names that is used to call people for jury service is created by combining the County's voter registration list and Arizona Department of Transportation records. Names are randomly selected from that master list by a computer program.
I have been called to serve three times in the past five years and none of my friends have ever been called. Why don't you pick some other people?
A computer program randomly selects names from the master jury file to summons potential jurors. Since that process is random, some people may be selected more than others.
Some people would volunteer for jury service if you'd let them. Why don't you?
The Jury Office adheres to the random selection process set out in the law. Because it is random, some people who are willing to serve may never be asked, and others who are not willing to be served may be asked frequently.
I can no longer fulfill my duties as a juror. Can't you take my name from your records?
Under certain circumstances, such as permanent mental or physical disability, jury staff can permanently remove a name from its records. Please explain your situation in writing on the questionnaire and return it to the Jury Office. You will be notified by mail of the decision whether or not to grant your request.
Since April 13, 2005, people who receive a jury summons to an Arizona court who are at least 75 years of age may be excused upon written request. If you are eligible for this, and you wish to be excused, just write that on your summons and return it to the Jury Office in the envelope provided with the summons. If you also indicate that you wish to be permanently excused due to your age of at least 75 years, we will indicate that in our computer so you do not receive another summons from this office.
I am not a citizen of the United States but I would still like to serve as a juror. Why can't I?
The law automatically disqualifies non-citizens, convicted felons whose civil rights have not been restored, and people under 18 years of age from jury service.
Jury Service Is jury service mandatory?
The United States Constitution and the Arizona State Constitution guarantee the right to trial by jury. Failure to attend as directed may subject you to penalties provided by law; A.R.S. § 21-334. All Maricopa County residents are obligated by state law to serve as a juror unless they:
The Superior Court in Maricopa County operates on a one trial/one day system for jurors. This means that if you are NOT selected to serve on a jury panel for a trial, your period of service is complete after the end of the first day. If you ARE selected to serve on a jury for a trial, your service is complete at the conclusion of the trial. The average trial lasts for three to five days.
The court's normal hours of operation are 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Prospective jurors should make arrangements to remain the entire day.
No. All excuse requests must be in writing and either mailed (or faxed) to the Jury Office for review. How do I request to be excused from jury service?
Prospective jurors otherwise eligible to serve may be excused from jury service only for extreme hardship, or if they are at least 75 years of age. All requests must be submitted to the Jury Commissioner's Office in writing prior to the prospective juror's service date as explained on the juror questionnaire. The excuse can also be faxed to the Jury Office at 602-506-6078.
A prospective juror may be excused if he/she:
There is no single excuse that guarantees exemption from jury service, except for those who are at least 75 years of age. For more information about what excuses are allowed under Arizona law, please read Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 21-202. To view the actual text of that statute online, go to http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument. asp?inDoc=/ars/21/00202.htm&Title=21&DocType=ARS. Each request is individually reviewed. Potential jurors are encouraged to complete the questionnaire truthfully, to the best of their knowledge. Failure to do so is against the law. Jury service is a citizen's civic duty, and responsibility. I know that I will not be selected to be on a jury because of what I do for a living. Why not excuse me now and save time?
Superior Court tries civil and criminal cases, both of which require juries. The random selection process prevents you from knowing in advance what trial or even what type of trial for which you'll be selected. If when you get to a courtroom the judge excuses you, you've fulfilled your obligation for jury service. But the Jury Office staff cannot excuse you as a potential juror because of what you do for a living, unless you are a police officer. Any police officer wishing to be excused should review the requirements explained in Arizona Revised Statues, Section 21-202(B)(4), and send the necessary documentation to the Jury Office. I am unable to judge anyone because of my moral or religious beliefs. May I be excused?
The Arizona law does not provide for an excuse from jury service for moral or religious beliefs. You are still required to appear for jury service. When you get to a courtroom, the judge will make that decision. return to top Work Issues Does my employer have to pay me for serving as a juror? No. State law does not require employers to compensate their employees while they are on jury service. Many employers support the jury system and provide jury service benefits and will continue employee wages while they serve as a juror. Please check with your employer regarding your company's policy.
Can my employer prevent me from serving as a juror? State law (A.R.S. § 21-236) prohibits an employer from discharging or in any manner discriminating against an employee for taking time off to serve as a juror if the employee, prior to taking time off, gives reasonable notice to the employer of the requirement to serve as a juror. return to top Postponement What about getting a postponement?
The Court realizes prospective jurors may have been summoned at an inconvenient time and is willing to defer service to a more convenient time in most instances. Jurors may request a first-time postponement for Superior Court by checking the appropriate section of the summons and sending it back by mail, over the phone (602 372-JURY) or on the Internet. These methods will let jurors select a new date of their choice, with some limitations as long as the new date is within 90 days of the date on which they were scheduled to appear. Other requests for postponement must be in writing and either mailed or faxed to the Jury Office for review. Arizona law (A.R.S.21-336) does not allow a second postponement unless it is an extreme emergency that was not anticipated when the first postponement was granted.return to top Postage on Juror Questionnaire Why do I have to pay the postage to return the juror questionnaire?
The Jury Office spends over $200,000 annually in postage to mail summons and juror checks. Postage for returned questionnaires would nearly double the cost. Transfer to Another Court Location I live closer to a different court than the one where I've been summonsed. Why can't my service be transferred there?
State law requires that Superior Court jurors be selected randomly from the countywide population. You must appear at the court to which you were summonsed. Pay for Jury Service Will I be compensated for jury duty?
Yes. Jurors are compensated for mileage if they appear the first day but do not serve for a trial. Mileage is currently calculated round-trip from the center of your zip code to the court building. The current rate is 37.5 cents per mile. If selected to serve as a juror for a trial, you will receive $12 dollars for every day the trial lasts, plus mileage. Checks are sent out a week or two after your service has been completed. return to top
- Contacting the Jury Office
- Jury Selection
- Jury Service
- Excuse from Service
- Work Issues
- Postponement
- Postage on Juror Questionnaire
- Transfer to Another Court Location
- Pay for Jury Service
Contacting the Jury Office How can I reach the Jury office?
The Jury Office is open Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. An automated phone system is in place to assist jurors during the day and after-hours. By calling (602) 372-JURY, jurors can get information on court locations and hours, juror qualifications, how to request an excuse and how to ask for a postponement of their date of service. During business hours, jurors may call that same number to speak with staff. The Jury Office fax number is (602) 506-6078. The address is:
Superior Court/Office of the Jury Commissioner
111 South Third Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85003
The list of names that is used to call people for jury service is created by combining the County's voter registration list and Arizona Department of Transportation records. Names are randomly selected from that master list by a computer program.
I have been called to serve three times in the past five years and none of my friends have ever been called. Why don't you pick some other people?
A computer program randomly selects names from the master jury file to summons potential jurors. Since that process is random, some people may be selected more than others.
Some people would volunteer for jury service if you'd let them. Why don't you?
The Jury Office adheres to the random selection process set out in the law. Because it is random, some people who are willing to serve may never be asked, and others who are not willing to be served may be asked frequently.
I can no longer fulfill my duties as a juror. Can't you take my name from your records?
Under certain circumstances, such as permanent mental or physical disability, jury staff can permanently remove a name from its records. Please explain your situation in writing on the questionnaire and return it to the Jury Office. You will be notified by mail of the decision whether or not to grant your request.
Since April 13, 2005, people who receive a jury summons to an Arizona court who are at least 75 years of age may be excused upon written request. If you are eligible for this, and you wish to be excused, just write that on your summons and return it to the Jury Office in the envelope provided with the summons. If you also indicate that you wish to be permanently excused due to your age of at least 75 years, we will indicate that in our computer so you do not receive another summons from this office.
I am not a citizen of the United States but I would still like to serve as a juror. Why can't I?
The law automatically disqualifies non-citizens, convicted felons whose civil rights have not been restored, and people under 18 years of age from jury service.
Jury Service Is jury service mandatory?
The United States Constitution and the Arizona State Constitution guarantee the right to trial by jury. Failure to attend as directed may subject you to penalties provided by law; A.R.S. § 21-334. All Maricopa County residents are obligated by state law to serve as a juror unless they:
- Are NOT a United States citizen;
- Are UNDER 18 years of age;
- Have been convicted of a felony and their civil rights have NOT been restored.
The Superior Court in Maricopa County operates on a one trial/one day system for jurors. This means that if you are NOT selected to serve on a jury panel for a trial, your period of service is complete after the end of the first day. If you ARE selected to serve on a jury for a trial, your service is complete at the conclusion of the trial. The average trial lasts for three to five days.
Are there ever any instances when I may have to serve longer?
Some of the municipal courts and justice of the peace courts use a "pooling"
system. This means you are on call by the court for a period of time (4
to 8 weeks). You may be called by the court several days in advance to
appear on a specific date, or you may be required to call the court. You
may also be required to appear several times during your period of service
depending on the needs of the court. It is important to list on your questionnaire
the dates you will NOT be available during the time you are on call (doctor
appointments, vacation days, etc.).
The court's normal hours of operation are 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Prospective jurors should make arrangements to remain the entire day.
I served on a jury three years ago. Do I have to serve again already?
Yes. If you appeared to serve as a juror but were not chosen for a trial,
you are exempt from serving for 18 months. If you served on a jury
panel for a trial, you are exempt from serving for two years. If
it has been more than 18 months (or two years) since your last service,
you are required to appear for jury service again, regardless of how many
times you have served in the past.
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No. All excuse requests must be in writing and either mailed (or faxed) to the Jury Office for review. How do I request to be excused from jury service?
Prospective jurors otherwise eligible to serve may be excused from jury service only for extreme hardship, or if they are at least 75 years of age. All requests must be submitted to the Jury Commissioner's Office in writing prior to the prospective juror's service date as explained on the juror questionnaire. The excuse can also be faxed to the Jury Office at 602-506-6078.
A prospective juror may be excused if he/she:
- Has a physical or mental disability that would prevent him/her from serving. The prospective juror is required to provide a doctor's note explaining the disability. If the prospective juror does not have a doctor, a professional caregiver can provide a sworn statement explaining the disability instead.
- Must provide actual and necessary care for another and alternate arrangements are not feasible.
- Will suffer an extreme financial burden if required to serve that would substantially prevent the prospective juror from paying his/her necessary daily living expenses.
- Is unable to read or understand the English language.
- Is at least 75 years of age and wishes to be excused from this summons, or this and all future summoning for jury service.
- Will be temporarily away from the court's jurisdiction at the time for which the juror is summoned.
- Is an AZPOST certified law enforcement officer employed by the State of Arizona or a political subdivision.
There is no single excuse that guarantees exemption from jury service, except for those who are at least 75 years of age. For more information about what excuses are allowed under Arizona law, please read Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 21-202. To view the actual text of that statute online, go to http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument. asp?inDoc=/ars/21/00202.htm&Title=21&DocType=ARS. Each request is individually reviewed. Potential jurors are encouraged to complete the questionnaire truthfully, to the best of their knowledge. Failure to do so is against the law. Jury service is a citizen's civic duty, and responsibility. I know that I will not be selected to be on a jury because of what I do for a living. Why not excuse me now and save time?
Superior Court tries civil and criminal cases, both of which require juries. The random selection process prevents you from knowing in advance what trial or even what type of trial for which you'll be selected. If when you get to a courtroom the judge excuses you, you've fulfilled your obligation for jury service. But the Jury Office staff cannot excuse you as a potential juror because of what you do for a living, unless you are a police officer. Any police officer wishing to be excused should review the requirements explained in Arizona Revised Statues, Section 21-202(B)(4), and send the necessary documentation to the Jury Office. I am unable to judge anyone because of my moral or religious beliefs. May I be excused?
The Arizona law does not provide for an excuse from jury service for moral or religious beliefs. You are still required to appear for jury service. When you get to a courtroom, the judge will make that decision. return to top Work Issues Does my employer have to pay me for serving as a juror? No. State law does not require employers to compensate their employees while they are on jury service. Many employers support the jury system and provide jury service benefits and will continue employee wages while they serve as a juror. Please check with your employer regarding your company's policy.
Can my employer prevent me from serving as a juror? State law (A.R.S. § 21-236) prohibits an employer from discharging or in any manner discriminating against an employee for taking time off to serve as a juror if the employee, prior to taking time off, gives reasonable notice to the employer of the requirement to serve as a juror. return to top Postponement What about getting a postponement?
The Court realizes prospective jurors may have been summoned at an inconvenient time and is willing to defer service to a more convenient time in most instances. Jurors may request a first-time postponement for Superior Court by checking the appropriate section of the summons and sending it back by mail, over the phone (602 372-JURY) or on the Internet. These methods will let jurors select a new date of their choice, with some limitations as long as the new date is within 90 days of the date on which they were scheduled to appear. Other requests for postponement must be in writing and either mailed or faxed to the Jury Office for review. Arizona law (A.R.S.21-336) does not allow a second postponement unless it is an extreme emergency that was not anticipated when the first postponement was granted.return to top Postage on Juror Questionnaire Why do I have to pay the postage to return the juror questionnaire?
The Jury Office spends over $200,000 annually in postage to mail summons and juror checks. Postage for returned questionnaires would nearly double the cost. Transfer to Another Court Location I live closer to a different court than the one where I've been summonsed. Why can't my service be transferred there?
State law requires that Superior Court jurors be selected randomly from the countywide population. You must appear at the court to which you were summonsed. Pay for Jury Service Will I be compensated for jury duty?
Yes. Jurors are compensated for mileage if they appear the first day but do not serve for a trial. Mileage is currently calculated round-trip from the center of your zip code to the court building. The current rate is 37.5 cents per mile. If selected to serve as a juror for a trial, you will receive $12 dollars for every day the trial lasts, plus mileage. Checks are sent out a week or two after your service has been completed. return to top
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