Jury Service
Orange County CA Jury Service helps residents understand what to do after receiving a jury summons, how to respond online, where to report, and what to expect during their service. This guide explains the jury process through the Orange County Superior Court, including eJuror access, reporting instructions, postponement and excuse requests, courthouse procedures, juror payments, security requirements, and available assistance.
Jury Service Basics
Jury service is a required civic responsibility for qualified residents selected through a random process. The Orange County Superior Court receives juror names from voter registration records, Department of Motor Vehicles records, and Franchise Tax Board records. A person may be summoned for jury service once every 12-month period.
Jury service in Orange County is generally for one day or one trial. A juror who is not selected for a trial by the end of the first day and is not ordered to return for additional jury selection will have completed service. If selected for a trial, the juror must continue serving until the trial ends.
Service may last from one day to the length of a trial. Jury trials do not always occur on consecutive days and may require additional time depending on the case. The court recommends that prospective jurors review their schedules and consider postponement requests when they know they cannot be available for a possible multi-day trial.
Receiving a Jury Summons
When a jury summons arrives, prospective jurors should carefully review the instructions provided by the Orange County Superior Court. The summons explains where, when, and how the person must report or call for instructions.
The first step is responding to the summons through the court’s online eJuror system. The Orange County Superior Court eJuror service allows jurors to complete questionnaires, confirm information, receive instructions, and submit certain requests.
To access eJuror, jurors need their Juror ID number and date of birth. After logging in, the system guides users through completing the questionnaire and confirming submitted information. Once completed, the juror reaches the Juror Instructions page, where available requests can be made.
Information needed for eJuror
Juror ID number from the summons.
Date of birth.
Personal information requested by the questionnaire.
Any information needed for excuse, postponement, disqualification, or exemption requests.
Jurors who do not have computer access may contact the Office of the Jury Commissioner for assistance with postponements and biographical information. Requests for excuse, disqualification, or exemption must be submitted in writing.
Responding Through eJuror
The eJuror system is the primary online method for responding to a summons. Through the system, eligible jurors can complete required information and request changes to their service status when allowed by court procedures.
Requests available through eJuror include:
Postponement requests.
Excuse requests.
Disqualification requests.
Peace officer exemption requests.
If a juror submits a request and does not receive notification within 10 days, the court advises logging back into eJuror to check the status before contacting the Jury Services Office.
Postponements and Excuses
Jurors who cannot serve on their scheduled date may request a postponement through eJuror or by contacting the Office of the Jury Commissioner. A postponement cannot extend more than one year past the original service date.
Full-time students and teachers may postpone jury service to serve during school breaks. Full-time students are still required to serve, but they may reschedule their service through the available postponement process.
Requests for excuse are available for specific circumstances. The court lists excuse requests for situations including:
Physical or mental disability.
Care for another person as a non-professional caregiver.
Extreme financial burden.
Completed call-in or reporting jury service within the past 12 months.
Active duty military service.
Prospective jurors may also request disqualification when they do not meet jury service requirements. Examples include not being a United States citizen, being under 18 years old, not being an Orange County resident, lacking sufficient knowledge of English, or meeting other disqualification conditions identified by the court.
Call-In Jury Instructions
Some prospective jurors are assigned as call-in jurors. These jurors receive summons instructions requiring them to call after 5:00 p.m. on a Friday for reporting information.
Call-in jurors are identified by a group number of 5000 or greater on their summons. They must verify their assigned location and follow the instructions for that justice center.
Call-in jurors may need to call a prerecorded message beginning Friday evening and continue calling for no more than five court days. Some jurors receive morning reporting instructions, while others may receive instructions for possible afternoon reporting.
If a call-in group is not instructed to report by the end of the service week, the jury service obligation is considered complete.
Reporting to Court
The Orange County Superior Court operates jury services at several justice centers. Jurors must report to the location shown on their summons and follow any updated instructions provided by the court.
The four justice centers that conduct jury trials are:
Central Justice Center.
West Justice Center.
North Justice Center.
Harbor Justice Center.
Jurors may use the Jurors and Jury Service information page to review current instructions, services, and general jury information before reporting.
Arrival and check-in
Jurors should arrive according to the instructions for their assigned justice center. Check-in is required so the court can record attendance. Jurors receive a badge that must be worn during jury service.
The daily schedule typically includes check-in, orientation, courtroom assignments, breaks, and possible jury selection. Courtroom assignments are made randomly, and jurors may return to the jury assembly room if they are released from a courtroom and remain available for another assignment.
What Happens During Selection
When a jury trial is ready to begin, prospective jurors may be sent to a courtroom for jury selection. The judge explains the case and prospective jurors answer questions designed to determine whether they can be fair and impartial.
The judge and attorneys may excuse individual jurors for different reasons. The selection process continues until the required jurors and any alternate jurors are selected.
Prospective jurors who are not selected may be returned to the jury assembly room for possible assignment to another courtroom unless otherwise directed by court staff.
Courthouse Rules and Preparation
Jurors should dress in business casual attire. Shorts and tank tops are not considered appropriate courtroom clothing. Since courthouse temperatures may vary, the court suggests dressing comfortably and bringing an additional layer if needed.
All justice centers are security facilities. People entering the courthouse must pass through security screening, and hand-carried items may be inspected.
Items that may not be allowed include weapons or objects considered potentially dangerous, such as knives, scissors, pepper spray, knitting needles, and similar items.
Work and internet access
Jurors may bring work materials. Jury assembly rooms provide work tables or work areas at certain locations. Free wireless internet access is available for jurors at Orange County courthouses. Jurors can connect using a Wi-Fi-equipped device and follow instructions provided by Jury Services staff.
Juror Payments
Jurors are not compensated for the first day of service. Beginning with the second day of service, jurors receive a $15.00 daily fee and reimbursement of 34 cents per mile roundtrip from home to the courthouse.
Jurors employed by federal, state, or local government entities, or other public entities covered by the applicable law, may not receive the juror fee when they continue receiving regular compensation and benefits.
Payments are processed bi-weekly and generally arrive within three to five weeks after service. Depending on processing dates, jurors may receive multiple checks covering their service dates.
Jury Service Contact Options
The Office of the Jury Commissioner provides assistance for questions about summons responses, service instructions, and other jury-related matters. The court warns that Jury Services staff will never request cash cards, credit card information, bank account details, or Social Security numbers from prospective jurors.
For questions or concerns about possible jury scams, residents should contact the Jury Services Office using the official contact information provided by the court.
Justice Center Locations
Central Justice Center
The Central Justice Center handles jury service reporting for assigned jurors and provides jury assembly facilities. The Central Justice Center jury service page provides location-specific instructions, schedules, facilities, and procedures.
West Justice Center
The West Justice Center provides jury reporting services, orientation, courtroom assignments, and juror facilities. Jurors assigned to this location should follow the instructions connected to their summons and court messages.
North Justice Center
The North Justice Center provides jury assembly services and courtroom assignment procedures for jurors scheduled to appear there.
Harbor Justice Center
The Harbor Justice Center provides jury services, juror orientation, courtroom assignments, and facilities for jurors reporting at that location.
Office Safety Warnings
Jury scams are a concern for prospective jurors. Employees of the Orange County Superior Court and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will never ask jurors for cash cards, credit cards, bank account information, or Social Security numbers.
Anyone receiving a suspicious request claiming to represent Jury Services should not provide personal financial information and should contact the Jury Services Office.
Relevant Jury Service Offices
Office of the Jury Commissioner — Superior Court of California County of Orange Jury Services, P.O. Box 1970, Santa Ana, California 92702-1970 — (657) 622-7000
Jury Service FAQs
How do I respond after receiving an Orange County jury summons?
After receiving a summons, prospective jurors should complete the required questionnaire through the official Orange County Superior Court eJuror service. Login requires the Juror ID number printed on the summons and the juror’s date of birth. After confirming the questionnaire, jurors can view instructions and submit requests for postponement, excuse, disqualification, or peace officer exemption when applicable.
Can I postpone my jury service date?
Yes. A postponement request can be submitted through eJuror before the service date. The court allows postponement requests, but service cannot be postponed more than one year past the original service date. Full-time students and teachers may reschedule service during semester or quarter breaks through the available process.
What should call-in jurors do before reporting?
Jurors assigned as call-in jurors should check their group number and follow the instructions listed on their summons. Group numbers from 5000 to 5999 are call-in groups. These jurors begin checking instructions after 5:00 p.m. on Friday and may need to continue checking for up to five court days. Jurors should not report unless the court instructs them to appear.
Which locations provide jury service instructions?
Jurors should follow the justice center listed on their summons because reporting procedures vary by location. The Orange County Superior Court provides location-specific information for the Jury Service Day at Justice Centers, including Central Justice Center, West Justice Center, North Justice Center, and Harbor Justice Center.
How are jury payments handled?
Jurors are not paid for the first day of service. Beginning with the second day, eligible jurors receive a $15 daily fee and reimbursement of 34 cents per mile roundtrip from home to the courthouse. Payments are processed every two weeks and generally arrive within three to five weeks after service.