Jacksonville Jury Duty in 2026: 10 Questions About $15 Pay, $30 Days and Who Can Be Excused

Jurors in Jacksonville and St. Augustine are paid $15 a day for the first three days if they aren't receiving their regular wages, and $30 a day starting on the fourth day, under Florida law. If your employer keeps paying you, the state pays nothing for the first three days.

Here are answers to 10 common questions about a jury summons in Duval and St. Johns counties, from Florida Statutes and the two county clerks' websites.

1. How much does jury duty pay in Florida?

Under Florida Statute 40.24:

The $15 is a flat rate with no separate mileage, and the law says jurors get no extra reimbursement for travel or other expenses. The Duval Clerk says a check is mailed about 10 days after your service ends.

2. Does my employer have to pay me?

No. The Duval Clerk says Florida law does not require employers to pay employees during jury duty. But your employer cannot stop you from serving or fire you for it, the clerk says. Check your company's policy before you report.

3. Where do I report in Jacksonville?

Duval jurors report to the Duval County Courthouse, 501 W. Adams St., Jury Assembly Room 2379 on the second floor.

Parking is free in the Clay Street garage at Adams and Clay streets, across from the courthouse, at 125 N. Clay St. Use the Clay Street entrance, head to the 5th, 6th or 7th level, and bring your ticket inside each day to be validated. The garage opens at 5:20 a.m. There's no motorcycle parking there.

4. Where do I report in St. Augustine?

St. Johns jurors report to the Courtroom Annex at the Richard O. Watson Judicial Center, 4010 Lewis Speedway. Your report time is on your summons. Jury Management's number is 904-819-3600.

5. Do I have to go if my group isn't needed?

Check first. In Duval, your summons has a group number, and the clerk posts which groups must report the Friday before your date. Check online or call 904-255-2212 over that weekend. If the recording isn't working, report as scheduled.

In St. Johns, call 904-819-3631 after 5 p.m. or on weekends for attendance information about the next jury period.

6. Can I postpone jury duty?

Yes. Florida law allows a postponement of up to six months on written or oral request.

Duval offers a one-time courtesy rescheduling online for conflicts like a prepaid vacation or business trip. For a medical postponement, your health care provider must fill out the clerk's medical form before your date.

7. Who can be excused?

Under Florida Statute 40.013, you can ask to be excused if you are:

• 70 or older (you can also ask to be permanently excused in writing)
• An expectant mother, or a woman who gave birth within the past six months
• A parent who isn't employed full time and has custody of a child under 6
• Responsible for the care of someone who can't care for themselves
• A full-time student ages 18 to 21, for that specific summons
• Someone who reported for jury service in your county within the past year

A judge can also excuse people for hardship, extreme inconvenience or public necessity. Not having a car isn't on the list, the Duval Clerk notes, and neither are moral or religious objections; you can raise those with the judge.

8. How long will I serve?

In Duval, the first day is usually jury selection for that week's trials, and most trials last one to two days, the clerk says. If you're picked, you serve for one trial.

9. What should I wear and bring?

Business or business-casual clothes. Both clerks say shorts, flip-flops and T-shirts or tank tops aren't appropriate. Bring a sweater; courtrooms can be cool.

You can bring a book, laptop or tablet for downtime. Everything goes through courthouse security screening, and Duval jurors can't have electronic devices in the courtroom while court is in session.

10. What happens if I skip?

The law allows a fine of up to $100, and skipping can be treated as contempt of court. Duval says you could also be ordered to serve on a future date.

Watch for scams. The St. Johns Clerk warns that scammers call or mail notices claiming you missed jury duty and ask for your Social Security number or a payment. Clerk employees will never call asking for payment for failing to appear, the office says.

How we did this

Jax Times used Florida Statutes 40.013, 40.23 and 40.24, and the jury service pages of the Duval County Clerk of Courts and the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller.