Jury Duty Laws in Missouri (2026): Your Rights and Responsibilities
Most people don’t think much about jury duty until they get a summons in the mail. Then the questions start flying. Do I have to go? Can my boss fire me? What if I just ignore it?
Don’t worry. This guide breaks it all down for you, step by step.
What Is Jury Duty?
Jury duty is your legal obligation to serve as a juror in a court case. It’s how the justice system makes sure regular people, not just lawyers and judges, have a say in the outcome of trials. Basically, it’s democracy in action.
Missouri law requires eligible citizens to respond to jury summonses. Ignoring one isn’t just rude. It can get you in real legal trouble.
Who Has to Serve in Missouri?
Wondering if this applies to you? Here’s the deal.
To qualify for jury duty in Missouri, you must be at least 21 years old. You also need to be a U.S. citizen and a resident of the county that sent you the summons. You must be able to read, speak, and understand English.
You are NOT eligible if you’ve been convicted of a felony and your civil rights haven’t been restored. Active military members don’t have to serve either. Judges are also excluded. People who are physically or mentally unable to perform juror duties may also be disqualified.
How Do You Get Selected?
A friend asked me about this recently. She had no idea how her name ended up on that list. Turns out, it’s pretty simple.
Missouri courts pull names from voter registration lists, driver’s license records, and sometimes personal property tax rolls. The selection is random. You can’t “opt out” of these lists to avoid being picked.
Once your name comes up, you’ll receive a summons by mail.
What to Do When You Get a Summons
Okay, this part is important.
When you get a summons, don’t ignore it. You need to complete a juror qualification questionnaire online at courts.mo.gov/jurorportal. You have 10 days to respond.
The questionnaire helps the court figure out if you’re qualified to serve. It’s also where you can request an excuse or postponement if you have a valid reason. Pretty straightforward.
Can You Get Out of Jury Duty?
Yes, but only for valid reasons. Not just because it’s inconvenient.
Missouri law says the court MUST excuse you if you served on a jury within the past two years. Nursing mothers can be excused with a written statement from their doctor. Licensed healthcare providers may be excused if their absence would harm patients.
The court MAY excuse you if serving would cause undue financial or physical hardship. This means it would seriously impact your ability to pay for basic living expenses. Or if it would cause you to get sick. Or if you can’t find care for someone who depends on you.
Here’s the part most people miss. Just losing income at work does NOT automatically count as a financial hardship. You have to prove the impact is extreme.
People 75 years or older can request to be excused. Employees of religious institutions whose religious duties prevent them from serving can also request an excuse with written documentation. Persons whose job is critical to public safety, health, or welfare may qualify too.
Can You Postpone Instead?
Yes! This one is good news.
Every juror gets ONE automatic postponement. You can push your service back between 6 weeks and 6 months from your original date. If you’re a full-time student at an accredited school, you can postpone up to 12 months.
To request a postponement, log into the juror portal at courts.mo.gov/jurorportal and submit your request. Do it before your scheduled date.
What Happens If You Skip Jury Duty?
Now, here’s where things get serious.
If you fail to show up or don’t respond to your summons, you could be found in civil contempt of court. That’s a legal violation. The penalty? A fine of up to $500.
Think of it like a traffic ticket, but one that could escalate fast. The judge issues an “order to show cause,” which basically means you have to explain yourself in court. If you can’t give a good reason, you pay the fine.
Don’t risk it. Respond to your summons.
Your Rights as an Employee
This is probably the section you’ve been waiting for. Honestly, it’s one of the most important parts.
Missouri law under Section 494.460 RSMo is very clear. Your employer cannot fire you, discipline you, threaten you, or take any negative action against you because of jury duty. Period.
Your boss also cannot force you to use your vacation, sick, or personal leave while you’re serving. You get to keep that time.
Wait, it gets better.
If your employer fires you anyway, you have 90 days to file a civil lawsuit against them. You can recover lost wages and other damages. And if you win, the employer has to pay your attorney’s fees too.
Most people don’t realize how strong these protections are. You’re in good shape.
Does Your Employer Have to Pay You?
Here’s where it gets a bit tricky, honestly.
Missouri law does NOT require employers to pay your regular wages while you’re on jury duty. Many employers do pay, but it’s not legally required at the state level.
Your employer must let you go and protect your job. But paying your salary during that time is optional for them. Ask your HR department or check your employee handbook for your company’s specific policy.
How Much Does Missouri Pay Jurors?
So what does the state pay you for your time?
State court pay varies by county. The base rate is $6 per day under state law, plus 7 cents per mile for travel. Some counties pay more because local governments can authorize higher compensation.
Federal jury duty pays significantly better. If you’re summoned to federal court, you’ll receive $50 per day and 70 cents per mile, round trip from your home to the courthouse.
Not a fortune, but it’s something.
Small Business Exception
If you run a small business, there’s a special rule for you.
If you have 5 or fewer full-time employees and another employee is already scheduled for jury duty during the same period, the court will automatically postpone the second employee’s service. This helps make sure small businesses aren’t hit too hard at once.
That’s a thoughtful rule. Personally, I think it makes a lot of sense.
Grand Juries vs. Petit Juries
Confused about the difference? Let me break it down.
A petit jury is what most people think of when they hear “jury duty.” It’s the group of 6 to 12 people who decide the outcome of a trial. Civil cases and criminal cases both use petit juries.
A grand jury is different. It doesn’t decide guilt or innocence. Instead, it decides whether there’s enough evidence to charge someone with a crime. Grand jury service can last longer and involves more sessions.
Both types of service are covered under Missouri’s jury duty laws.
How to Respond to Your Summons
Here’s what you need to do, step by step.
Go to courts.mo.gov/jurorportal. Log in using your juror ID number and date of birth. Both are printed on your summons. Complete the qualification questionnaire honestly. If you need an excuse or postponement, submit your request and upload any supporting documents.
Do this within 10 days of receiving your summons. Don’t wait until the last minute.
If you don’t have internet access, call the jury office phone number listed on your summons. They can help you by phone.
What to Expect on Jury Duty Day
You show up, and then what?
Bring your summons and a valid photo ID. You’ll go through security. Then you’ll join a group of potential jurors called a jury pool. A judge or attorneys may ask you questions. This process is called voir dire (say it “vore deer”). They’re checking to see if you’re a good fit for the specific case.
You might serve that day. You might be dismissed. Either way, you’ve done your civic duty.
Most trials in Missouri wrap up within a couple of days. It’s rarely a weeks-long commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I ignore my jury summons in Missouri? You could be found in civil contempt of court and fined up to $500. Always respond to your summons, even if you plan to request an excuse.
Can I be excused from jury duty for work reasons? Missing work alone is not enough. You must show an extreme financial hardship that impacts your ability to pay for basic necessities.
Does my employer have to pay me during jury duty? Missouri law does not require employers to pay wages during jury service, but your employer cannot fire or penalize you for serving.
How long can I be required to serve on a jury? Most Missouri trials last just a couple of days. However, complex cases can last longer. There’s no set maximum, but courts try to keep service reasonable.
Can I be called for jury duty more than once? Yes, but you must be excused if you’ve served on a jury within the past two years. After that, you can be summoned again.
What if I don’t speak English well? You generally must be able to read, speak, and understand English to qualify. However, if your language barrier is due to a vision or hearing impairment, assistive accommodations may be made.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the basics of Missouri jury duty law. Respond to your summons. Know your rights. Talk to your employer ahead of time. And if something isn’t right, you have legal options.
Jury duty isn’t always convenient. But it’s one of the most direct ways regular citizens shape the justice system. Stay informed, follow the process, and when in doubt, check with a lawyer or contact your local court office.
References
- Missouri Courts: Juror Basics and Eligibility — courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=994
- Missouri Revised Statute 494.460 (Employer Protections) — revisor.mo.gov
- Missouri Revised Statute 494.430 (Excusals and Hardships) — revisor.mo.gov
- Missouri Juror Portal — courts.mo.gov/jurorportal
- U.S. District Court, Eastern Missouri — Jury Information — moed.uscourts.gov/faqs/jury
