Jury Duty
Jury Duty - An Honored Service
Welcome to the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. The right to a trial by jury is a privilege that applies to both criminal and civil cases and is recognized as the foundation of the American court system, guaranteed by both the United States and California Constitutions. Jury trials cannot be held unless people like you are willing to perform their civic duty. Jurors are essential to the administration of justice.
Our office hours to receive assistance with your jury service are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and our phone hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Fridays. However, you may be instructed to report and required to carry out your jury service Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you are selected as a prospective juror, your availability is required until you are excused from the jury selection process. Please arrange your schedule to be available for the week you are on standby. If you are selected as a sworn juror or as an alternate juror, you must serve for the duration of the trial, and will need to arrange your schedule accordingly.
Below you can find information about jury duty, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions about postponing jury service, time off from employment, juror orientation videos, and more.
WARNING: The California Superior Court, County of Santa Clara does not send jury summons through email, text or any other form of electronic communication. If you receive electronic communications stating you have been summoned for jury service and your personal information is requested, do not provide any information pertaining to your social security number, date of birth, bank or credit card to anyone claiming to be an officer of the court or of the law.
In This Section
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What to do when you receive a Jury Summons
- All jurors must respond to a Jury Summons
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Online E-Juror Portal
- To register by verifying/updating your personal information
- To request a postponement/ excusal/disqualification
- To check your reporting instructions
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Serving as a Juror
- Standby Jurors
- What to Expect
- Juror Resources
- ADA Accommodations
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Information About Jury Duty
- Payment of Jury Fees
- Length of Service
- Parking Information
- The Trial
- Officers of the Court
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Jurors and News Media
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Security and Juror Alerts
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General Information
- Contact the Jury Office
- Court Locations
- Courthouse Security
- FAQs about Jury Duty
- Parking Information/Public Transportation
Juror Orientation Videos
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Jury Service and Fairness: Understanding the Challenges of Implicit Bias serves as a guide and a tool for jurors to identify whether they may have preconceptions that would impact their ability to serve. Originally developed by the Perception Institute, it was adapted in 2023 by the Judicial Council in partnership with the California Judges Association.
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Justice for All: Orientation to Jury Service provides an overview of the juror experience, including the jury selection process, the trial, jury
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A History of Jury Service: A More Perfect Jury explores the history of jury service, its origins in English common law and its evolution through the Civil Rights and Women’s Suffrage movements until the present day.
