Jury Duty in Kansas: Pay, Exemptions, Excuses and What to Expect (2026)

Kansas district courts draw jurors at random from voter registration records, driver's license lists and state ID card lists for each county. If you're a U.S. citizen, at least 18, and live in the county, you can be summoned. The law treats jury service as a solemn duty and tells judges to excuse people only for compelling hardship or the public good.

The numbers depend on where you live. State law lets each county commission set juror pay anywhere from $10 to $50 a day, plus mileage; Sedgwick County, for example, pays $10 for the first day and $30 for each day after. Your employer doesn't have to pay you, but it can't fire you or threaten to fire you for serving. A juror who skips service without a good reason can be fined up to $100 for each day missed.

The rules are in Article 1 of Chapter 43 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A. 43-155 to 43-174). Everything below is current as of November 2026.

Kansas jury duty at a glance

Who can serve

Section 43-156 sets the test in one sentence: every juror "shall be a citizen of the state, resident of the county and possess the qualifications of an elector" (K.S.A. 43-156). The Kansas Constitution makes a qualified elector any U.S. citizen who has reached 18 and lives in the voting area (Kan. Const. art. 5, § 1). The same section bars excluding anyone for race, color, religion, sex, national origin or economic status.

Where names come from. Each county's jury commissioner builds a jury list from voter registration records, licensed driver lists, state ID card lists, or census records, and keeps it current (K.S.A. 43-162). Names are then drawn at random, by wheel or by computer (K.S.A. 43-163). Counties differ in which list they lean on: Douglas County draws from the DMV's list of county addresses, and you can't volunteer (Douglas County FAQ).

The questionnaire. The court may require you to answer written questions about your age, residence, occupation and qualifications. Refusing to answer can be punished as contempt, and lying on it is a class A nonperson misdemeanor (K.S.A. 43-161). Sedgwick County asks jurors to complete it online within 10 days of receiving the summons (Sedgwick County).

Who is disqualified. Section 43-158 excuses people who can't understand English well enough to answer the questionnaire, people under an adjudication of incompetency, and people who, within the past 10 years, were convicted of a felony or pleaded guilty or no contest to a felony charge (K.S.A. 43-158). Separately, a person convicted of a felony can't vote until pardoned or restored to civil rights (Kan. Const. art. 5, § 2), and the juror test borrows the voter test.

Exemptions and excuses

Kansas sets a high bar. Its declared policy is that judges should excuse people "only for reasons of compelling personal hardship or because requiring service would be contrary to the public welfare, health or safety" (K.S.A. 43-155). There's no list of excused occupations and no age exemption.

Excused by law. Besides the disqualifications above, Section 43-158 excuses two groups:

• Recent jurors. Anyone who served as a juror in the same county within the past year (§ 43-158(d)).
• Breastfeeding mothers. The statute's last item reads:

(e) a mother breastfeeding her child. Jury service shall be postponed until such mother is no longer breastfeeding the child.

Excuses the court may grant. Section 43-159 lets the judge excuse four more groups:

1. people so physically or mentally infirm that they can't handle ordinary jury duty;
2. people whose presence elsewhere is needed for the public welfare, health or safety;
3. people for whom service "would cause extraordinary or compelling personal hardship"; and
4. people whose ties to the parties, or knowledge of or interest in the case, would make it hard to be impartial.

(K.S.A. 43-159)

Age. Kansas has no upper age limit and no exemption at a set age. An older juror with a health problem asks to be excused like anyone else, usually with a doctor's note.

How to ask. Use the questionnaire or call the jury clerk on your summons. In Sedgwick County, a doctor sends a note for a medical excuse or for breastfeeding, and non-citizens or people who moved send proof (Sedgwick County FAQ). In Douglas County, you can claim hardship for any reason on the questionnaire; the chief judge reviews each request and answers within four weeks, and a medical excuse needs a physician's letter (Douglas County FAQ). Johnson County's court says excuses for reasons other than health generally mean coming in on your summons date to speak with the judge (Johnson County District Court). Personal inconvenience alone won't do; one district's juror handbook says so plainly (21st Judicial District handbook).

Postponing jury duty

Apart from breastfeeding mothers, the statutes don't set a postponement procedure. Each district court handles it by local practice, so follow your summons.

• Sedgwick County. If your date would cause a temporary extraordinary or compelling hardship, call the jury clerk before the date on your summons to move it. "Jury service may be rescheduled one time only." (Sedgwick County FAQ)
• Douglas County. Ask on the juror questionnaire. The court tries to accommodate schedules but can't always, and it answers by letter within four weeks (Douglas County FAQ).
• Johnson County. Send scheduling conflicts to the jury department by email or mail, explaining the delay you want (Johnson County District Court).

Juror pay

Section 43-171 sets a range and leaves the figure to each county:

(a) An amount, not less than $10 nor more than $50, as determined by the county commission, for each day of attendance, to attend court pursuant to this act; and

The statute also pays "mileage, at the rate authorized by law, for necessary travel in going to and returning from court," all from the county general fund (K.S.A. 43-171). What that means:

• It depends on your county. The statute was last amended in 2006. As of November 2026, Sedgwick County pays $10 for the first day and $30 for each later day, plus mileage; it raised the rate in January 2025 after years at $10 a day (Sedgwick County). Johnson County's court lists $25 for each day of service (Johnson County District Court).
• Mileage. Counties pay mileage to and from the courthouse. In the 21st Judicial District (Clay and Riley counties), it's paid only to jurors who live outside the city limits, by county voucher monthly (21st Judicial District handbook).
• No witness pay on top. A juror can't also draw witness fees while serving (K.S.A. 28-125(b)).
• No long-trial rate. The statute has no higher rate for long trials; any increase after the first day is the county's choice.

Ask your county's jury clerk for the current rate; it's on many summonses.

Your job is protected

Section 43-173 protects jurors from being fired:

(a) No employer shall discharge or threaten to discharge any permanent employee by reason of such employee's jury service, or the attendance or scheduled attendance in connection with such service, in any court of Kansas.

What follows from it:

1. No firing, no threats. The protection covers the days you serve and the days you're scheduled to report. It names permanent employees.
2. Real remedies. An employer who breaks the rule is liable for lost wages, actual damages and lost benefits; must reinstate a fired employee; and can be ordered to stop. A reinstated employee keeps seniority and is treated as having been on leave.
3. Attorney fees. A winning employee who hired a lawyer can recover reasonable attorney fees. An employer can recover fees only if the suit was frivolous or brought in bad faith.
4. No pay required. Kansas law doesn't make employers pay wages during jury duty. Johnson County's court notes that some employers do anyway, so check your company's policy (Johnson County District Court).

(K.S.A. 43-173)

The statute sets no deadline of its own for suing. If your employer retaliates, talk to a lawyer promptly.

What happens if you don't show up

Section 43-165 lets each judicial district make rules for jury service and enforce them by attachment and a fine of up to $100. It then sets the penalty for skipping service:

Unexcused, nonattendance of a person summoned unless reasonable cause for such nonattendance be shown to the satisfaction of the court shall be punished by the imposition of a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) for each day of unexcused absence.

(K.S.A. 43-165)

The fine runs per day, so missing a week of service could cost more than missing one day. Sedgwick County warns that a juror who simply doesn't come may also be held in contempt of court (Sedgwick County FAQ). Morton County tells jurors who don't appear that they may be summoned into court later and fined for every day missed (Morton County). If you have a real emergency, call the jury clerk before your reporting time; a reasonable cause shown to the court is a defense.

Your first day

Practices differ by district court. Sedgwick County's 18th Judicial District gives a good picture:

• Call in first. Your summons has a group letter. Call the recorded line as your summons directs; it tells each of five groups whether and when to report (Sedgwick County). Douglas County jurors call after 5:30 p.m. on Fridays and Tuesdays during their two weeks of service (Douglas County).
• Arrive on time. Sedgwick County's reporting time is 8:30 a.m. unless the call-in line says otherwise. Bring your summons and, if you park in the county garage, your parking stub for validation.
• What the day looks like. The normal schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with lunch from about noon to 1:00 p.m. You may leave for lunch, and you go home each evening; the court traditionally doesn't sequester juries (Sedgwick County FAQ).
• Expect waiting. Cases often settle at the last minute. Bring a book. Sedgwick County's security bans pointed scissors and knitting needles, though crochet hooks are fine, and the assembly room has wireless internet.
• Dress. Business attire is recommended. Shorts and tank tops aren't allowed, and neither are work uniforms such as scrubs or law enforcement uniforms. Dress in layers.
• Phones. Turn electronic devices off in the courtroom, and never use them to research or talk about the case (21st Judicial District handbook).
• How long. Sedgwick County panels are called for one week; if you're not picked that week, you're done, and most trials last three or four days.
• Proof for your employer. Sedgwick County gives you a work certificate listing the dates you served. Douglas County provides documentation on request.

Grand jury service

Grand juries are rare in Kansas, but the state has an unusual feature: citizens can call one. A grand jury has 15 members, drawn and summoned the same way as trial jurors, and 12 make a quorum. A majority of a district's judges may order one, or a prosecutor may petition for one. A grand jury must also be summoned within 60 days after a petition is filed bearing the signatures of electors equal to 100 plus 2% of the county's votes for governor in the last election (K.S.A. 22-3001).

Jury duty scams

Scammers call or text pretending to be deputies or court staff. They say you missed jury duty or have a warrant and demand payment by phone or gift card. Johnson County's court passes on the sheriff's warning: don't give personal information or pay anything over the phone; hang up and call the sheriff's warrants division or the court directly (Johnson County District Court).

A Kansas fine for missing jury duty comes only from a judge, under K.S.A. 43-165, after you've had a chance to explain. No court collects it by phone. See also the federal courts' juror scam warning.

Recent and pending changes

No law changing the jury statutes in Chapter 43 was enacted in 2024, 2025 or 2026, according to the Revisor of Statutes' list of new, amended and repealed sections (2026 composite list). Juror pay itself changes county by county, so ask your clerk. The 2027 session opens in January.

Frequently asked questions

How much does jury duty pay in Kansas?

Each county commission sets the rate, between $10 and $50 a day, plus mileage. As of November 2026, Sedgwick County pays $10 the first day and $30 each day after, and Johnson County pays $25 a day. Your employer doesn't have to pay your wages.

Can my employer fire me for jury duty in Kansas?

No. An employer can't fire or threaten to fire a permanent employee for serving or being scheduled to serve. If it does, it owes lost wages and benefits, must reinstate you without loss of seniority, and may have to pay your attorney fees. Kansas doesn't require your employer to pay you while you serve.

How do I get out of jury duty in Kansas?

The law excuses breastfeeding mothers, anyone who served in the county within the past year, and people who are disqualified, such as those with a felony conviction in the past 10 years. A judge may also excuse you for infirmity, for compelling personal hardship, or when your work is needed for public health or safety. Ask on the questionnaire or call the jury clerk; inconvenience alone isn't enough.

What happens if I miss jury duty in Kansas?

The court can fine you up to $100 for each day you were absent without reasonable cause, and some courts warn of contempt. If you have an emergency, call the jury clerk before your reporting time and explain.

How often can you be called for jury duty in Kansas?

If you served as a juror in a county, you're excused from serving there again for one year. After that, your name can be drawn again. Some courts count simply showing up: Morton County tells jurors that once you've appeared, you've met your duty for one year (Morton County).

Is there an age limit for jury duty in Kansas?

You must be at least 18, because jurors must be qualified voters. There's no upper age limit and no automatic exemption for older people. If age-related health problems make serving too hard, ask the court to excuse you, usually with a doctor's note.

Where these rules live

• K.S.A. 43-155 — Public policy on excuses
• K.S.A. 43-156 — Who may serve
• K.S.A. 43-158 — Persons excused by law
• K.S.A. 43-159 — Excuses the court may grant
• K.S.A. 43-162 — Jury lists
• K.S.A. 43-165 — Fine for nonattendance
• K.S.A. 43-171 — Juror pay and mileage
• K.S.A. 43-173 — Employer protection
• K.S.A. 22-3001 — Grand juries
• 18th Judicial District (Sedgwick County): Jury Duty FAQ
• Kansas rules of civil procedure on this site
• Law schools in Kansas