States
Jury duty in Delaware: pay, employer rules and excuses
Independent site, not a court. Answer your summons and ask for an excuse only through the court that summoned you.
Learn how Delaware's $20 daily allowance works in each county, why New Castle jurors get nothing on day one, and which excuse groups § 4511 recognizes.
What jury duty in Delaware will pay you
You receive for 3 days
$40
| Court fee | $40 |
| Employer, by law | No duty to keep paying wages under this law |
| A normal 3 days of work | $600 |
| Income lost | $560 |
| Age rule | 70 and over, may ask to be excused |
Delaware: $20/day expense allowance (covers travel and parking). Under one-day/one-trial service (New Castle County) the first day is unpaid; in Kent and Sussex (two-week term) the $20 is paid for every day reported. Day rates used: $0, $20. Before tax. No state law requires private employers to pay wages during jury service; the $20 allowance may not be treated as pay by the employer.
All jury rules in DelawareDelaware pays jurors a $20 per diem under 10 Del. C. § 4514, meant to cover travel, parking and other out-of-pocket costs, so there is no separate mileage. How often you receive it depends on the county. New Castle County uses one day or one trial service and pays nothing for the first day, while Kent and Sussex Counties summon jurors for a two-week term and pay the $20 for every day they report. No state law makes a private employer keep paying wages, and the employer may not count the allowance as pay; § 4515 protects your job. People over 70 may ask to be excused by returning the questionnaire with a copy of a driver's license. Superior Court and federal court together will not call you more than once every two years. A one-time date change can be made in the juror portal, though not within 5 days of service. Failing to appear and show cause is criminal contempt, punishable by up to $100, 3 days in jail, or both (§ 4516).
Statutes and court pages read by Radif Partners on October 29, 2026 · Method and sources
Three counties, two Delaware jury systems
Where you live in Delaware changes what jury duty looks like. In New Castle County a juror who is not picked, or who sits on a trial lasting only one day, receives no reimbursement at all, because one day or one trial jurors are not paid for the first day. In Kent and Sussex the summons covers a two-week term, and the $20 allowance is paid for each day you are required to report. Either way the money is an expense allowance rather than wages, and the statute says your employer must not treat it as pay, which means it cannot be subtracted from a salary your employer chooses to continue.
Delaware groups that count as undue hardship
Delaware lists personal and occupational groups whose membership itself shows undue hardship, extreme inconvenience or public necessity: jury service within the past two years, age over 70, deeply held religious beliefs, primary caregivers of people unable to care for themselves, full-time police officers and firefighters, active full-time military or Delaware National Guard, active full-time clergy, and the self-employed or those paid mainly on commission. A breastfeeding mother is excused for at least one year. Send the qualification questionnaire back to the county Jury Services office with a written request and proof such as a doctor's note or employer letter. Residents temporarily out of state for work or study are deferred until they return.
The rules in Delaware, law by law
| Rule | What the law or court says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Juror pay | $0 day 1, then $20 a day | 10 Del. C. § 4514 |
| Mileage | not specified by the state | 10 Del. C. § 4514 |
| Employer must keep paying | No | 10 Del. C. § 4515 |
| Job protected | Yes | 10 Del. C. § 4515 |
| Age | 70 and over: may ask to be excused | 10 Del. C. § 4511(b) (court-recognised class) |
| Length of service | New Castle County: one day or one trial; Kent and Sussex Counties: a two-week term. | courts.delaware.gov |
| Before another summons | 24 months | courts.delaware.gov |
| Postponing | Ask through the online qualification questionnaire or use 'Request Schedule Change' in the juror portal (one-time date change, not within 5 days of service; otherwise contact Jury Services). Out-of-state residents temporarily away for work or study are deferred until return. | courts.delaware.gov |
| Not showing up | Failing to appear and show cause is criminal contempt: up to $100 fine and/or up to 3 days in jail. | 10 Del. C. § 4516 |
Excuses and postponement in Delaware
Return the qualification questionnaire with a written request and supporting documents (doctor's note, employer letter, etc.) to the county Jury Services office. Ask through the online qualification questionnaire or use 'Request Schedule Change' in the juror portal (one-time date change, not within 5 days of service; otherwise contact Jury Services). Out-of-state residents temporarily away for work or study are deferred until return.
Can I be excused or postpone?
Delaware
No ground named: ask to postpone
| Age rule | 70+, on request |
Return the qualification questionnaire with a written request and supporting documents (doctor's note, employer letter, etc.) to the county Jury Services office. Ask through the online qualification questionnaire or use 'Request Schedule Change' in the juror portal (one-time date change, not within 5 days of service; otherwise contact Jury Services). Out-of-state residents temporarily away for work or study are deferred until return.
A request is decided by the court, often with proof (a doctor's note, a school schedule). Ignoring a summons is not an excuse.
Official juror page: courts.delaware.gov. Answer your summons and file any request there or as your summons says.