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

If you're 18 or older, live in an Ohio county and are eligible to vote there (registered or not), the county's court of common pleas can summon you. Names come from the voter rolls, and the jury commissioners may add driver's license and state ID records (R.C. 2313.06). Ohio treats service as a duty, and the law says plainly that "No person shall be exempted from jury service for any reason," though you can be excused or postponed for the reasons the statute lists (R.C. 2313.21(C)).

Each county's commissioners set juror pay. Franklin County pays $30 a day and Cuyahoga County $35. Your employer can't fire or discipline you for serving or make you use vacation or sick time, but it doesn't have to pay you. Failing to appear is contempt of court; a first offense can bring a fine of up to $250, up to 30 days in jail, or both.

The rules are in Chapter 2313 of the Ohio Revised Code; trial juries are also governed by the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure. Everything below is as of November 2026.

Ohio jury duty at a glance

Who can serve

Ohio states the duty as a policy:

It is the policy of this state that every qualified citizen has an obligation to serve on petit juries when summoned by the courts of this state unless the citizen is excused as provided in Chapter 2313. of the Revised Code.

(R.C. 2313.12). To qualify you must be 18 or older, live in the county, and be an elector or someone who would be one if registered, "regardless of whether the person actually is registered to vote" (R.C. 2313.17(A)). In practice that means a U.S. citizen.

Felony convictions. A person convicted of a felony in any state or federal court is incompetent to serve as a juror unless the conviction is reversed or annulled; a full pardon restores the right (R.C. 2961.01). Courts apply this in their own ways: Franklin County lists as disqualified people still serving a felony sentence or on community control, post-release control or parole (Franklin County court). If you have a record, ask the jury commission.

Ohio's law also bars leaving anyone off a jury list on account of race or color (R.C. 2313.13). Lawyers, doctors, police officers, firefighters and elected officials get no special treatment; Franklin County says none of them is exempt.

Exemptions and excuses

Ohio has no automatic exemptions, but a judge or the jury commissioners will excuse you if one of these applies (R.C. 2313.14(A)):

• Your attendance would materially injure the public interest.
• Your spouse or a near relative (yours or your spouse's) has recently died or is dangerously ill.
• You're a cloistered member of a religious organization.
• A mental or physical condition makes you incapable of serving. The court may ask for a note from a physician, certified nurse-midwife, clinical nurse specialist or certified nurse practitioner.
• Service would cause undue or extreme physical or financial hardship to you or to someone in your care.
• You're over 75 and you ask.
• You're an active member of a recognized Amish sect and believe your faith keeps you from passing judgment.
• You're on active military duty under a presidential order, an act of Congress, or a state call-up.

The age excuse is yours for the asking:

The juror is over seventy-five years of age, and the juror requests to be excused.

Tell the court employee in person, by phone, in writing or by email no later than your report date (§ 2313.14(B)(2)). Franklin County takes these requests by phone and treats anyone 75 or older as eligible.

What counts as hardship. The statute limits it to four situations: you'd have to abandon someone in your care because no substitute caregiver can be found; the cost would substantially hurt your ability to pay daily living expenses for yourself or those you support; you'd suffer physical hardship leading to illness; or you're breastfeeding a baby one year old or younger (§ 2313.14(C)(1)). A signed affidavit is enough proof for a breastfeeding mother (§ 2313.14(D)(2)). For other hardship claims, bring documents that clearly support the request, or the judge may deny it. Missing work alone doesn't qualify:

Undue or extreme physical or financial hardship does not exist solely based on the fact that a prospective juror will be required to be absent from the prospective juror's place of employment.

Other rules. You must get a ruling on your request by the date you're due to appear (§ 2313.14(B)(1)). An excuse lasts only through that jury year, unless the judge finds the grounds permanent (§ 2313.14(E)). And no one can buy a way out: donations to any organization never justify an excuse or postponement (§ 2313.14(F)).

Counties fill in the details. In Franklin County you apply through the court's eResponse site at least a week ahead, with documents; the court lists accepted hardships such as being a sole proprietor, working for an employer that doesn't pay for jury duty, earning only commission, full-time or conflicting school schedules, lack of transportation, and child care you can't afford to replace (Franklin County court).

Postponing jury duty

Your first postponement is close to automatic. If you ask at least two business days before your first appearance, by phone, in writing or by email, the court "shall grant" it, as long as you haven't had one before and you agree on a new date when court is in session. The new date must fall within the jury year and no more than six months after the original one, unless extraordinary circumstances justify a later date (R.C. 2313.15(A)).

A second postponement takes an extreme emergency you couldn't have foreseen, such as a death in the family, a sudden illness, or a natural disaster, and again you must agree to a date within six months (§ 2313.15(B)). Once you're serving, the judge can also release you for up to three days at a time if your business demands it (§ 2313.15(C)).

Small employers. If your employer has 25 or fewer full-time employees and a co-worker was summoned and served within the 30 days before your date, the court must postpone your service to a date within six months once you show those facts (§ 2313.15(E)).

Counties set their own windows within those limits. Franklin County lets you pick any Monday from 30 days to 3 months after your original date, once, and doesn't defer grand jury or single-case summonses (Franklin County court). Cuyahoga County takes written deferral requests for trial jurors only (Cuyahoga County court).

Juror pay

The board of county commissioners sets juror pay by resolution, so it varies from county to county (R.C. 2313.22(A)). Long trials pay more:

After ten days of actual service, except as otherwise authorized by this division, the compensation of a juror shall be fixed for each additional day of actual service at an amount equal to the greater of fifteen dollars or one and one-half times the compensation fixed pursuant to division (A) of this section.

The commissioners may go as high as twice the regular rate for those later days (§ 2313.22(B)).

Rates in the two largest counties, as of November 2026:

• Franklin County pays a per diem of $30 for each day you're required to serve, by check about 60 days after your last day (Franklin County court). Grand jurors also get $30 a day.
• Cuyahoga County pays $35.00 per day, by check two to three weeks after your service ends (Cuyahoga County court).

Ohio has no statewide mileage rule for jurors; the statute reimburses extra travel costs only for residents of island townships (§ 2313.22(C)). Counties may help in other ways. Franklin County reserves a limited number of juror spaces in the Fulton Street Parking Garage, and you pay if you park elsewhere. Cuyahoga County gives free RTA transit passes on top of the daily pay.

Your job is protected

Ohio law protects permanent employees who give notice:

No employer shall discharge, threaten to discharge, or take any disciplinary action that could lead to the discharge of any permanent employee who is summoned to serve as a juror pursuant to Chapter 2313. of the Revised Code if the employee gives reasonable notice to the employer of the summons prior to the commencement of the employee's service as a juror and if the employee is absent from employment because of the actual jury service.

(R.C. 2313.19(A)). Show your employer the summons as soon as you get it.

Your employer also can't require or even ask you to use annual, vacation or sick leave for responding to the summons, jury selection, or serving on a jury (§ 2313.19(B)). An employer that breaks § 2313.19 may be punished for contempt of court (R.C. 2313.99(A)).

Pay from your employer. None is required. As Franklin County's court puts it, "State Law does not currently require employers to continue paying the salary of employees while they are serving as jurors" (Franklin County court). Many employers pay anyway. Ask what proof they need; Franklin County gives each juror a work verification listing every day reported.

What happens if you don't show up

No person whose name is drawn and who is notified to attend a jury year, part of a jury year, or specified date within a part of a jury year as a juror or who has had the person's jury service postponed shall fail to attend at the time specified in the notice or from day to day.

(R.C. 2313.20). A violation may be punished as contempt of court under Chapter 2705 (R.C. 2313.99(A)). After a hearing, the court can impose, for a first offense, a fine of up to $250, up to 30 days in jail, or both; for a second, up to $500 and 60 days; and for a third or later offense, up to $1,000 and 90 days (R.C. 2705.05(A)). The rule applies to a postponed date too. Refusing to answer a proper question from the court or jury commissioners is also contempt (R.C. 2313.18).

If you missed your date, call the jury commission right away.

Your first day

Each county runs its own jury room, so follow your summons. The two largest:

• Respond first. Franklin County jurors log in to the court's eResponse site with the Candidate ID on the summons to fill out the questionnaire and ask for an excuse or deferral. Cuyahoga jurors return the information form within ten days or complete it online.
• Check the night before. Cuyahoga trial jurors call 216-698-2977 the night before to learn whether their draw number must report.
• Arrive early. Cuyahoga jurors report to the Jury Commission on the 4th floor of the Justice Center at 8:00 a.m. Franklin County's jury commission is at 345 S. High Street, Suite 1502, Columbus.
• Dress. Business casual in Franklin County; no hats, shorts, tank tops, miniskirts or shirts with suggestive logos. Cuyahoga bars shorts, tank tops, sheer shirts and flip-flops. Bring a layer; both courts say temperatures vary.
• Security. Expect a metal detector. Leave pocket knives, pepper spray, scissors and box cutters at home. In Cuyahoga, a concealed-carry license doesn't let you bring a gun in.
• The day. Expect to wait. Franklin County usually releases the pool between 2 and 4 p.m. once no more panels are needed. Cuyahoga's court day runs 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and jurors not in trial leave at 3:30 p.m. Cuyahoga offers public Wi-Fi and has books and games in the jury room.
• Length. One week in the pool or one trial; most Franklin trials take 3 to 5 business days.
• Accommodations. Franklin County asks for disability or interpreter requests at least two weeks ahead.

The Supreme Court of Ohio's jury service videos explain the courtroom and a juror's duties.

Grand jury service

An Ohio grand jury has nine members, including the foreperson, plus alternates. It meets in secret, and at least seven must agree to indict (Crim.R. 6(A), (F)). A grand jury may serve four months, extendable for good cause to as long as nine (Crim.R. 6(G)). Schedules vary: Cuyahoga grand jurors serve two days a week for four months, while Franklin County asks for at least two consecutive weeks of a four-month term. You can't defer a grand jury summons in either county.

Jury duty scams

Ohio courts warn that a call, text or email threatening arrest or a fine for missing jury duty is a scam. Cuyahoga's court says it and the sheriff will never contact you for personal information or money, and asks you to report scams to the Cuyahoga County Scam Squad at 216-443-SCAM (7226) (Cuyahoga County court). Don't pay, don't share your Social Security number, and call the jury commission at the number on your summons. The federal courts publish a similar warning.

Recent and pending changes

• Breastfeeding excuse (H.B. 34, 135th General Assembly). Since July 23, 2024, a mother breastfeeding a baby one year old or younger qualifies for a hardship excuse, and a signed affidavit is enough proof (R.C. 2313.14).
• Medical notes from nurses (S.B. 196, 135th General Assembly). Since March 20, 2025, a certified nurse-midwife, clinical nurse specialist or certified nurse practitioner, not only a physician, can document a medical excuse.
• Jury tampering (H.B. 478, 136th General Assembly). Would create a crime of jury tampering. It passed the House 97-0 on May 20, 2026, and was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 2, 2026; still pending as of November 2026 (bill text).

We found no pending bill that would change juror pay, excuses or employer duties as of November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How much does jury duty pay in Ohio?

Each county sets its own rate. Franklin County pays $30 a day and Cuyahoga County $35.00 a day. After ten days of service, state law raises the daily rate to the greater of $15 or one and a half times the county's regular rate.

Can my employer fire me for jury duty in Ohio?

No. If you give reasonable notice of your summons, your employer can't fire you, threaten to, or discipline you for serving, and it can't make you use vacation or sick leave. A violation can be punished as contempt of court. Your employer doesn't have to pay you, though.

How do I get out of jury duty in Ohio?

Ask the court for an excuse before your report date. Grounds include being over 75, a disabling medical condition, a recent death or serious illness in the family, breastfeeding a baby a year old or younger, active military duty, and documented financial or physical hardship. Missing work alone isn't enough. If the timing is the problem, take your one postponement.

What happens if I miss jury duty in Ohio?

The court can hold you in contempt. For a first offense, the penalty can be a fine of up to $250, up to 30 days in jail, or both, and the limits rise for repeat offenses. If you missed your date, contact the jury commission right away.

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

If you served for two consecutive weeks, state law bars you from serving again until the second jury year after your last service, though counties under 100,000 people make their own rules. Cuyahoga County treats anyone who served there in the past two years as ineligible.

Is there an age limit for jury duty in Ohio?

You must be at least 18. There's no upper limit, but if you're over 75 you can ask to be excused, and the court must grant it. Make the request before your report date.

Where these rules live

• R.C. 2313.12 — Duty to serve
• R.C. 2313.14 — Excuses
• R.C. 2313.15 — Postponement
• R.C. 2313.17 — Qualifications and challenges
• R.C. 2313.19 — Employer protections
• R.C. 2313.20 — Duty to attend
• R.C. 2313.21 — Discharge after service
• R.C. 2313.22 — Juror pay
• R.C. 2705.05 — Contempt penalties
• Ohio Civ.R. 47 — Jurors, Ohio divorce guide and Ohio law schools