General Jury Information

Courthouse Closings/Inclement Weather

For court closings and inclement weather, all jurors should check the State Court Closing Information page before reporting to the courthouse.

Employed by State/Government Agencies

If you are employed full time by a State of New Jersey agency, you will not get paid for your jury service as outlined with N.J.S.A. 2B:20-16. Your state agency employer will continue to pay your regular wages during your service.

If you are unsure if you work for a state or government agency, contact your local jury management office. Participants who are employed by a state agency should provide this information when completing the paper or online questionnaire as well as notifying the jury management office when reporting for service. If a check is issued to you in error, you will be required to return it to the Jury Management Office directly.

Employers Are Not Required to Pay Staff During Jury Service

In New Jersey there is no statutory requirement that a private employer pay your salary during juror service. It is in your best interest to speak with your employer before your summons date to determine whether your employer offers juror pay and for the number of days provided for jury service.

Employers Cannot Penalize You for Jury Service

N.J.S.A. 2B:20.17 prohibits an employer from penalizing you because you serve as a juror. Penalties for a violation of this statute include the possibility of a criminal charge, as a disorderly person’s offense, and a possible civil action for monetary damages and for reinstatement of employment.

Juror Qualification

N.J.S.A. 2B:20-1 establishes six criteria for a person to qualify for jury service:

be a resident of New Jersey;
be a citizen of the United States;
be physically and mentally able to perform the functions of a juror (noting that the Judiciary will provide accommodations consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act);
have no conviction for an indictable offense
- Examples of persons who would be disqualified are anyone who was convicted of, or pled guilty to, a crime in federal court or Superior Court; or anyone currently in the Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI).
- Examples of persons who would qualify to serve jury duty are anyone whose only convictions are in municipal court (most traffic violations fall into this category, as do most shoplifting charges;) or anyone who has been accused of a crime but has not yet been convicted or has yet to enter a guilty plea.
- Also, traffic offenses, juvenile and DWI related offenses that occurred in New Jersey are not grounds for disqualification.
- You are not disqualified with respect to criminal record if you successfully completed a PTI for an offense and have not been convicted or pled guilty to another disqualifying offense.
be at least 18 years of age; and
be able to read and understand the English language

Juror Scams

The Judiciary will never ask for personal information or payments over the phone or by email. Contact your local jury management office if you have any concerns.

The Judiciary will never request personal identifiers (such as social security numbers) or payment (credit card, checking, savings account information, etc.) for a fine for not going to jury duty over the phone or by e-mail.
If you receive suspicious communication concerning jury duty, hang up and call or e-mail your local jury management office. If you believe you have been the victim of a jury duty scam, contact your local jury management office and law enforcement in your county.

Phone Use in the Courtroom

Cellphone use in the courtroom is not permitted. You must not take any photographs or digital images, including ZOOM displays, or make any audio or video recordings of any kind. This includes broadcasting or posting any proceedings during your time in the courthouse.

If you are found to have violated this directive by creating a photograph, digital image, audio, video, or other recording, you may be subject to punishment under New Jersey law.

Phones must be concealed at all times. Exposed phones will be confiscated.

Types of Jury Service & Payments

Petit Jury Service

Questionnaires are required to be completed four days before the date of service.
Petit jury is for civil and criminal trials. Petit jurors listen to evidence presented by both parties during a trial and return a verdict.
The role of a juror is to listen to all the evidence presented and render a verdict at the end of the trial.
12 jurors are typically selected for a civil or criminal trial.
Jurors are paid $5 for the first three days of attendance and $40 for each day after.
Watch a video about jury service.

Grand Jury Service

Questionnaires are required to be completed four days before the date of service.
Grand jury examines allegations against a person or persons charged with a crime. Grand jury does not determine guilt or innocence, but whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime was committed.
The role of a grand juror is to determine whether there is enough evidence to charge someone with a crime.
23 jurors are selected to be on a panel.
Depending upon the county, the term of service for a panel can be from eight weeks to 20 weeks long.
Jurors are paid $5 for each day they attend.

State Grand Jury Service

Questionnaires are required to be completed 35 days before the date of service.
State Grand Jury is a statewide program with jurors summoned from every county in New Jersey.
If you are one of the 23 jurors selected, you will serve one day per week for 16 to 20 weeks.
State Grand Jury is managed by the Mercer County Jury Management Office.
Jury selection will be held virtually, and a Zoom link will be emailed to you the day before your summons date.
If you are selected as a juror, you will be required to appear at:

Richard Hughes Justice Complex
Administrative Office of the Courts
25 Market Street
4th Floor
Trenton, NJ 08625
Jurors are paid $5 for each day they attend.

Items Not Permitted in the Courthouse

To ensure everyone’s safety, all persons visiting the courthouse, including jurors, litigants, attorneys, employees, vendors, and other visitors, are subject to security screening when entering. Please allow sufficient time to pass through the court’s security system, as you will be required to walk through metal detection equipment.

Illegal items will be confiscated and may subject you to prosecution.

Prohibited Items:

Weapons of any kind
Firearms
Knives of any size
Sharp objects, scissors, or cutting tools of any type
Pepper spray
Aerosol sprays or containers
E-cigarettes or similar items
Audio/visual equipment, including cameras, unless you have prior written permission from the court.