How long does jury duty last?

One day, one trial, or a term of months? How federal and state courts define jury service, and how to plan when you don't know.

By the Jury Duty Help editorial team · Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · How we research

The honest answer is "it depends on the court," which isn't much help when you're trying to plan work and childcare. Here's how the main models work, so you can read your summons and know what to expect.

Federal trial juries: one case

The U.S. Courts say federal petit (trial) jurors hear a maximum of one case and are then discharged. You may report and never be selected, or you may be selected for a trial. Most trials are short, but some run for weeks. The judge usually tells the panel the expected length during jury selection, which is the time to raise a serious conflict.

Federal grand juries: months, part-time

Federal grand jurors generally serve up to 18 months, extendable to 24, but they don't meet every day. A grand jury might meet one day every other week in a smaller district, or a couple of days a week in a busy one. See grand jury vs. trial jury.

State courts: several models

One day or one trial. Many states and counties have adopted this approach. If you're not selected on your reporting day, your service is done. If you're selected, you serve for that trial. Colorado's judicial branch says people selected to serve on a jury are required to serve only for the duration of that trial, and that Colorado law since 1990 has limited how often a person must serve in a calendar year.
A term of service. Some courts summon jurors for a term, and they report only on the days they're needed. Virginia's official juror guide says jurors serve for one term of court, that the term may last up to four months depending on where you live, and that the summons shows the dates.
On-call weeks. Some courts put jurors on call for a week and ask them to check each evening whether to report.

Your summons will say which model applies. Your state's jury page usually explains it too.

Planning when you don't know

Tell your employer the reporting date and that length is uncertain. Our employer letter is written for exactly that.
Line up backup childcare for a few days, just in case.
Check in the evening before each reporting day.
If a long trial would be a real hardship, say so honestly during jury selection when the judge asks.

After a long trial

When your service ends, get proof of attendance for each day you served, and check your juror pay. Federal trial jurors on one case for more than 10 days may get up to $10 a day extra at the judge's discretion. See the pay calculator.

A realistic picture of your first day

Most jurors spend more time waiting than sitting in a courtroom, and that's normal. The Virginia courts' official answer book explains why. Parties often settle shortly before trial, sometimes just moments before it begins, so the court doesn't know until that morning how many trials will actually go forward. The book also says your presence encourages settlement, so a day spent waiting isn't wasted. A typical first day looks like this:

Check-in and orientation (often 30-60 minutes), including a video or a talk about the process.
Waiting in the assembly room until a courtroom asks for a panel.
Voir dire if you're called, which can take an hour for a short case and days for a long one.
Release if you're not chosen, or sworn in if you are.

Many people are released the same day without being seated on a jury.

How long trials usually run

Trial length depends on the case. Courts often tell panels the expected length during jury selection so anyone with a genuine conflict can raise it before being sworn in. If you're asked whether you can serve on a trial expected to last a certain number of days, answer honestly. That's exactly the moment to raise a hardship.

Terms of service in state courts

States use several approaches, and your summons will tell you which applies:

One day or one trial: you serve one day, or the length of one trial if you're seated.
On-call for a week or more: you call in or check online each evening to see whether you must report the next day.
Longer terms: some courts use terms of several months. The Virginia answer book says jurors there serve for one term of court, which depending on where you live may be up to four months, though not every day of it.

Deliberations can't be predicted

Once the evidence and closing arguments are finished, the jury deliberates until it reaches a verdict or the judge decides it can't. Federal trial jurors must reach a unanimous verdict in criminal cases, and in civil cases too unless the court instructs otherwise. Deliberations can take an hour or several days. Plan some flexibility for the last days of a trial.

Sequestration is rare

Jurors almost always go home every night. The Virginia answer book describes sequestration, where jurors stay in a hotel with limited access to news, as happening "in extremely rare cases." If it's possible in your trial, the judge will usually say so during selection.

Tips for planning around an unknown length

Ask the jury office what the typical term and trial length are in your court.
Set up a coverage plan at work for the first two days, then extend it if you're seated.
Keep your evenings flexible during an on-call week.
Ask for attendance certificates on each day you report. Your employer may need them.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ask to be excused from a long trial? Yes. During voir dire, tell the judge about specific conflicts such as surgery, nonrefundable travel or sole caregiving. The judge decides.

What if the trial runs longer than they said? Tell the court staff if the overrun creates a serious problem. Judges try to accommodate jurors, but the trial has to finish.