Jury duty in Michigan: What you’ll be paid, what happens if you forget

The letter in the mail often feels like it comes at the most inopportune time. Sometimes, you get nervous or have a hundred questions after you get it — a summons for jury duty.

You're not alone if you've been tapped to report for jury duty. For example, Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini said the county's Circuit Court in Mount Clemens may see 200 to 300 new jurors every week.

Michigan has 57 circuit courts, about 100 district courts and 78 probate courts, according to the Michigan Supreme Court website. The Grosse Pointes have municipal courts.

The U.S. District Court in Michigan has two districts. The federal court's Eastern District handles 34 counties in the eastern half of the state in the Lower Peninsula and has courthouses in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint, Port Huron and Bay City, according to its website and the U.S. Attorney's Office. There is a division for each courthouse for juror selection purposes.

The federal court's Western District handles counties in the western half of the Lower Peninsula and from the Upper Peninsula. It's broken down into two divisions and has courthouses in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Marquette, according to its website.

Here's a little primer about jury duty should you receive a summons to serve and questionnaire.

Who gets tapped for jury duty?

For state courts, it's U.S. citizens at least 18 years old who are residents of the court district to which they are summoned. The jury pool for each court comes from a list of licensed drivers and state ID cardholders in the court's district, according to the Michigan Supreme Court website.

Jurors must be able to communicate in English and be physically and mentally able to carry out juror functions.

Federal courts use state voter lists as a source of prospective jurors and can use other sources, such as lists of licensed drivers in a federal court's district, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. The U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan indicates state-issue ID cardholders also may be summoned.

As with state courts, federal court jurors must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and read, write, understand and speak the English language. They must live primarily in the judicial district for at least one year at the time of completion of the qualification questionnaire and have no disqualifying mental or physical condition that cannot be addressed without an accommodation.

Who can't serve? Are there exemptions?

For state court, those convicted of a felony are not eligible for jury duty. People older than 70 may request an age exemption.

The court decides whether to excuse a person from jury duty or postpone their service. Lack of transportation, excessive travel, extreme financial burden and a potential juror's absence affecting another's care could be a few situations where a person could be excused.

According to the state, a request for a medical-related exemption requires a letter from a doctor. Full-time students who believe jury duty will conflict with their classes must submit a copy of their class schedule.

You can be called for jury duty more than once, but you can't serve on a jury more than once in a 12-month period, according to the state.

More: Prosecutors worry after Michigan Supreme Court decision on rare 1-man grand jury

Jury duty in a state court doesn't exempt you from jury duty in federal court, according to the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan.

As with state court, someone can serve on a federal jury if they never have been convicted of a felony, unless their civil rights have been legally restored or never were lost in the jurisdiction of conviction. Jurors also currently must not be subject to felony charges punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.

Members of the armed forces and National Guard when on active duty are exempt from federal jury service. So are members of non-federal professional fire and police departments and public officers of federal, state or local governments, such as those elected to public office or appointed by someone elected to public office, who are performing their public duties full time.

People at least age 70; those who served on a federal jury in the past two years, and those who serve as volunteer firefighters or members of a rescue squad or ambulance crew may be excused as could those who have undue hardships. Each of the country's 94 judicial courts maintains its own jury procedures and policies regarding excuses from jury service, according to the United States Courts website.

More: Deaf juror glad to do her duty for justice's sake

What happens if I don't show up for jury duty?

You can be held in contempt of court, fined or jailed, per the state.

Federal courts could issue an order to show cause, requiring you to explain why you failed to report and may hold a hearing. You could be prosecuted, with penalties ranging from a fine of up to $1,000, up to three days in jail and/or performing community service.

What do I wear? What can I bring to court?

Business casual attire is appropriate. No shorts, halter tops or tank tops. Hats aren't worn in court. You might want to bring a sweater or jacket as it can get chilly in courtrooms.

Many courts, state and federal, will allow you to carry a cellphone or smartphone, but may have restrictions phone use inside the courthouse. Some courts may allow you to bring a laptop. Remember, you will go through security (metal detectors) to enter the courthouses.

Make sure you know what court you are reporting to and the time you need to be there. Courts often encourage you to call ahead to see if you need to appear. Plan to be at court for the day. You could be released early or selected to serve on a jury.

If you are selected to be a juror for a case, you will serve as long as the case lasts. A few of the circuit courts in metro Detroit, including Oakland County Circuit Court, estimate a criminal trial averaging three days and a civil trial lasting four days. But trials could last longer.

Will I get paid?

Yes. For state court, it's not less than $30 per day or $15 per half day on the first day of service. For each subsequent day, jury duty pay is not less than $45 per day or $22.50 per half day, per state law.

In federal court, jurors get $50 a day and are eligible for up to $60 a day after serving 10 days if the presiding judge orders. Grand jurors, who determine if there is probable cause to believe a person committed a crime and should be on trial, are paid the same per day, but are eligible to receive up to $60 a day after serving 45 days.

Courts provide reimbursement for reasonable transportation expenses, such as mileage.

Do I have to pay to park for jury duty?

Maybe. Some courts may have free parking, others may not.

For example, you will have to pay to park if you have jury duty at Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit. Jurors are not reimbursed for parking, according to the court's website. Parking is recommended in a lot, not at a parking meter.

If you are a juror at Macomb County Circuit Court, you don't have to pay to park. Jurors have a tear-off on the bottom of their jury summons they can put on their dashboard, Forlini said.

"Who carries quarters anymore?" the county clerk asked, adding that he worked with the city's mayor to offer the free parking. "They park. There is no pressure to feed the meters. No pressure to leave right away."

Will I be fired from my job if I'm summoned?

No. Employers also cannot force a worker to go beyond normal hours to make up for time spent on jury duty. If they do, they could be guilty of a misdemeanor or held in contempt of court, according to the state.

The Jury Selection and Service Act forbids employers from firing, intimidating or coercing any permanent employee because of their federal jury service. An employer may continue your salary during all or part of your service, but federal law doesn't require them to, according to the federal courts website. Check with your employer to see if they have jury service policies.

Beware of jury duty scams

The State Court Administrative Office warns you not to be fooled and to report scams to local law enforcement and the court supposedly being represented. In federal court, you should notify the Clerk of Court's office of the U.S. District Court in your area.

Courts don't call, text or email people who missed jury duty to get financial information. Phone scammers also have threatened victims with arrest for missing jury duty unless the person gives up personal, confidential or sensitive information, such as birth dates and Social Security numbers.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jury duty in Michigan: What to expect, getting paid, if you miss