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

Maine's jurors serve in the Superior Court of the county where they live. Each county's clerk keeps a source list of potential jurors, drawn from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles' records of licensed drivers and state ID holders. If your name comes up, you get a qualification questionnaire first and, if you qualify, a summons. You must be a U.S. citizen, 18 or older, a resident of the county, and able to read, speak and understand English.

The headline numbers: jurors get $15 for each day of required attendance plus mileage, which the courts list at 54 cents a mile. Your employer doesn't have to pay you, but it can't fire you, cut off your health insurance, or threaten you over jury duty. A juror who skips service without good cause can be held in contempt and fined up to $100, jailed up to 3 days, or both.

The rules are in chapter 305 of Title 14 of the Maine Revised Statutes (14 M.R.S. §§ 1201-A to 1354). Everything below is current as of November 2026.

Maine jury duty at a glance

Who can serve

Section 1211 states the qualifications in the negative:

A prospective juror is disqualified to serve on a jury if that prospective juror is not a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age and a resident of the county, or is unable to read, speak and understand the English language.

The Judicial Branch adds that the English requirement doesn't apply when the inability is the result of a physical disability, and that it provides reasonable accommodations so people with disabilities can serve (Information for Jurors). Maine's statute doesn't list a criminal conviction as a disqualification.

Where names come from. Each county's source list is built from the lists of licensed drivers and people issued a state ID card, plus anyone who asks the clerk to be added (14 M.R.S. § 1252-A). If you don't have a license or ID, you can file a Request for Inclusion on Juror Source List with the Superior Court in your county. You can't volunteer for a particular jury, though. The courts explain that juries must reflect a fair cross section of society (Juror FAQs).

The questionnaire. The clerk mails a juror qualification form with instructions to return it by mail within the time given (§ 1254-A). If you've moved out of the county, say so on the form; you can serve only in the county where you live. Ignoring the questionnaire carries the same penalty as ignoring a summons, and so does lying on it to avoid or to get jury service.

Exemptions and excuses

Exemptions. Three groups are exempt outright: "The Governor, active duty military and all persons exempt under Title 37-B, section 185" (§ 1211). That last group is members of the state military forces while going to, attending or returning from active state service or federal military duty; a certificate from the commanding officer is proof (37-B M.R.S. § 185(3)). The courts note that an active-duty service member, or someone on their behalf, still has to contact the jury clerk.

Age 80 or older. Section 1213 gives older Mainers a simple opt-out:

A person 80 years of age or older who does not wish to serve on a jury is excused from jury service.

You don't need a reason. Tell the jury clerk, or answer the age question on the questionnaire. If you'd like to serve, you still can.

Election officials. Municipal election officials are excused on election day. State election officials and municipal clerks and registrars, and their employees, are excused for 31 days before an election (§ 1213(2)(B)).

Excuses the court may grant. Everyone else needs one of four reasons:

A qualified prospective juror may be excused from jury service only upon a showing of undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, public necessity or inability to render satisfactory jury service because of physical or mental disability.

(§ 1213(2))

The presiding justice, or the clerk under the justice's supervision, decides, based on your questionnaire and any other evidence needed. Some practical points from the Judicial Branch:

• Medical. A request for medical reasons must come with a note from your medical provider. The statute also lets the court require a physician's or Christian Science practitioner's certificate.
• Self-employed. Being self-employed isn't by itself an excuse. You can ask for a hardship excuse or a postponement to a better season for your work.
• Breastfeeding. You can ask to postpone. If you serve, ask the jury clerk ahead of time for an accommodation such as a private room to express milk. There's no childcare at the courthouse, and children can't come with you.
• Hard of hearing. Courts have assistive listening devices; ask a clerk or marshal when you arrive.
• Your employer can't excuse you. In the Judicial Branch's words, "Your employer cannot provide an excuse for jury service and your employer may not penalize you because you have been summonsed for jury service."

Put your request in writing, with documentation, as early as you can. The courts warn that a request made on the day you're due to report "will probably not be granted" (Guide to Jury Service; Juror FAQs).

Postponing jury duty

The statute gives the court room to bend. Depending on the circumstances, a juror "may be finally excused from jury service, be required to serve at a later specific time or be required to serve for a period of time less than the usual 15 court days" (§ 1213(3)).

To postpone, contact the clerk's office for your county's Superior Court. The court's guide asks for a written request that says why you need to postpone and when you can serve instead. If you have travel or a medical appointment on your date, the clerk may ask for documentation, offer you limited service, or let you defer. Parents of college students summoned while away at school can ask the clerk to move the service to a time when the student is home (Juror FAQs).

Juror pay

Section 1215 sets both the mileage and the daily fee:

A juror is entitled to compensation at the rate of $15 for each day of required attendance at sessions of the court.

What that means:

• $15 a day, statewide. The state pays, and the Legislature sets the amount. There's no higher rate for long trials.
• Mileage. You're reimbursed for travel from your home to the courthouse and back. Since July 1, 2016, the rate follows the state employee mileage allowance in 5 M.R.S. § 8. The courts' guide puts it this way: "Maine law sets the pay that jurors receive at $15 per day plus $.54 per mile for travel reimbursement."
• Required days only. Pay is for each day you're required to attend court.

(14 M.R.S. § 1215)

Your job is protected

Section 1218 protects both your job and your health coverage:

An employer may not deprive an employee of employment or health insurance coverage, or threaten or otherwise coerce the employee with respect to loss of employment or health insurance coverage, because the employee receives a summons for jury service, responds to a summons for jury service, serves as a juror or attends court for prospective jury service.

The rest of the section adds teeth:

1. It's a crime. An employer who violates the section is guilty of a Class E crime, which carries up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 (17-A M.R.S. § 1604, § 1704).
2. You can sue, but act fast. If you're fired or lose your health insurance, you have 90 days to bring a civil action for lost wages or benefits and for reinstatement.
3. Wages are capped. Lost-wage damages can't exceed 6 weeks of wages. If you win, the court awards a reasonable attorney's fee.
4. No pay duty. Maine law doesn't require your employer to pay you while you serve.

(14 M.R.S. § 1218)

What happens if you don't show up

Section 1217 sets the process and the penalty:

A person summoned for jury service who fails to appear or to complete jury service as directed shall be ordered by the court to appear forthwith and show cause for his failure to comply with the summons.

If you can't show good cause, you're guilty of contempt and may be fined up to $100, jailed up to 3 days, or both (§ 1217). The same penalty applies to failing to return the qualification questionnaire without good cause and to lying on it (§ 1254-A). The Judicial Branch's advice is simple: "Please do not ignore a jury summons." If something comes up, call the clerk before your date.

Your first day

The Maine Judicial Branch's juror pages describe a typical start (Trial Jury; Guide to Jury Service):

• What comes in the mail. After you return the questionnaire, eligible jurors get a welcome letter with court-specific tips, the summons, a Confidential Court Card to fill out and bring, and a Juror Number Card.
• Check the night before. Courts post Jury Status Notices by juror number, and each summons gives a juror hotline. Call or check the evening before for reporting instructions, and for weather closings.
• Security. You'll go through airport-style screening, and bags are x-rayed. Leave scissors, nail clippers, knitting needles and anything else that could be dangerous at home.
• Phones. You may bring a cell phone, but it must be off in the courtroom, and jurors on a panel can't have their phones while serving. Laptops and tablets are discouraged because there's no secure storage.
• Bring something to read. There can be long waits. Some courthouses have vending machines, you may bring a drink or snack, and there's public Wi-Fi.
• The day itself. You'll watch a short video and get a Juror Handbook. Selection for several panels usually takes half a day, and most trials last one to three days. For most people, jury service is a single day of selection.
• Proof for your employer. Ask the clerk's office for a record of your attendance if your employer needs one.

Grand jury service

A grand jury reviews evidence from a prosecutor and decides whether to issue an indictment. The Judicial Branch says grand jury service runs over six months, with jurors called once a month, usually for two days (Grand Jury). By statute, the Chief Justice of the Superior Court sets each county's grand jury terms, up to a maximum of 12 months. You can't be required to serve on more than three grand juries in your life, or on more than one in any 5-year period, or to serve as both a grand and a trial juror in the same 5-year period (§ 1216).

Jury duty scams

The Maine Judicial Branch has warned repeatedly about calls from people claiming to be law enforcement and demanding a fine for missed jury duty. Its March 3, 2025 release says:

Court staff and law enforcement never call and request personal or financial information or money over the telephone or threaten people who don't comply.

Most contact with prospective jurors comes by U.S. mail. If you get one of these calls, hang up, don't send money, and don't share personal or financial information (Judicial Branch scam warning; see also the federal courts' juror scam warning).

Recent and pending changes

LD 338 passed the House in February 2026 and the Senate in April 2026, and the Governor signed it as chapter 708 (LD 338 summary). Until January 1, 2028, the source list stays limited to licensed drivers, state ID holders and people who ask to be added. No changes to juror pay, exemptions or penalties were found; the $15 daily rate stands as of November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How much does jury duty pay in Maine?

Maine pays jurors $15 for each day they're required to attend court, plus mileage from home to the courthouse and back. The courts list the mileage rate at 54 cents a mile. The rate is the same in every county, and your employer doesn't have to pay your wages.

Can my employer fire me for jury duty in Maine?

No. Your employer can't fire you, take away your health insurance, or threaten you because you were summoned, answered the summons, or served. An employer who does commits a Class E crime. If you're fired or lose coverage, you have 90 days to sue for up to 6 weeks of lost wages, lost benefits, reinstatement and attorney's fees.

How do I get out of jury duty in Maine?

If you're 80 or older, you can simply say you don't wish to serve. The Governor and active-duty military are exempt, and you don't have to serve if you've served in the past 5 years. Otherwise, the court excuses jurors only for undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, public necessity, or a physical or mental disability, and it often offers a later date or shorter service instead. Ask in writing, with documentation, well before your date.

What happens if I miss jury duty in Maine?

The court will order you to appear and explain why. If you can't show good cause, you're in contempt and can be fined up to $100, jailed for up to 3 days, or both. The same penalty applies if you ignore the qualification questionnaire.

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

You can't be required to serve on a trial jury more than once in any 5-year period, or more than 3 times in your life. Grand jury service has the same 5-year spacing, and you can't be required to serve on both a grand and a trial jury in the same 5 years.

Is there an age limit for jury duty in Maine?

You must be 18 or older. There's no upper limit, but anyone 80 or older who doesn't wish to serve is excused. Let the jury clerk know, or mark it on your questionnaire.

Where these rules live

• 14 M.R.S. § 1211 — Disqualifications and exemptions
• 14 M.R.S. § 1213 — Excuses, age 80 and postponement
• 14 M.R.S. § 1215 — Mileage and compensation
• 14 M.R.S. § 1216 — Frequency and length of service
• 14 M.R.S. § 1217 — Penalties for failing to serve
• 14 M.R.S. § 1218 — Protection of employment and health insurance
• 14 M.R.S. § 1252-A — Source list
• 14 M.R.S. § 1254-A — Qualification questionnaire
• Title 14, chapter 305 (Juries)
• Information for Jurors (Maine Judicial Branch)
• Maine's court rules on this site
• Law schools in Maine