States
Jury duty in Michigan: 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.
Estimate Michigan juror pay from the $30 first-day and $45 later-day minimums, see the half-day rates, and check the age 70 and nursing mother exemptions.
What jury duty in Michigan will pay you
You receive for 3 days
$120
| Court fee (state minimum) | $120 |
| Employer, by law | No duty to keep paying wages under this law |
| A normal 3 days of work | $600 |
| Income lost | $480 |
| Age rule | 70 and over, may ask to be excused |
Michigan: Statutory minimums since April 1, 2018: $30 a full day ($15 a half day) for the first day, then $45 ($22.50 half day). Counties may pay more with county board approval. Day rates used: $30, $45. Before tax. Employers must release the employee but are not required to keep paying wages.
All jury rules in MichiganMichigan sets minimum juror fees in MCL 600.1344: since April 1, 2018, at least $30 for the first full day ($15 for a half day) and at least $45 for each later full day ($22.50 for a half day), plus mileage of at least 20 cents a mile. Counties may pay more with county board approval, so these are statewide minimums. Employers must release you for jury duty and cannot discharge or discipline you for it (MCL 600.1348), but they are not required to keep paying wages. People over 70 may claim an exemption by asking for it (MCL 600.1307a), as may nursing mothers. Each court sets its own term: state law allows one day or one trial service but does not require it. Service as a juror in the previous 12 months disqualifies you. Postponement is handled by each court's jury clerk. Missing court when summoned is contempt, capped at $7,500 and 93 days in jail (MCL 600.1346, 600.1715).
Statutes and court pages read by Radif Partners on October 29, 2026 · Method and sources
Michigan's half-day juror rates
Michigan pays by the half day as well as the full day, which matters because many jurors are released at lunchtime. A half day on the first day is worth at least $15, and later half days at least $22.50; full days are $30 for the first and $45 after that. A county can raise these minimums with its board's approval, so your summons or jury clerk will give the exact figure. An employer that disciplines or fires a juror can be found in contempt and charged with a misdemeanor. Many employers continue pay voluntarily, though the law does not require it.
Terms, postponements and exemptions across Michigan courts
Because each court runs its own jury system, the length of service varies. MCL 600.1371 lets courts adopt one day or one trial service without making it mandatory, and the state best-practice manual recommends no more than two weeks. Postponements are handled by the jury clerk; the 15th District Court, for example, grants only one, so contact the clerk as soon as a conflict appears. Exemptions for age over 70 and for nursing mothers must be requested and the status proven. Other excusals, such as for a medical condition with a physician statement, are at the court's discretion, and job reasons are generally not accepted.
The rules in Michigan, law by law
| Rule | What the law or court says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Juror pay | $30 day 1, then $45 a day (minimum) | MCL 600.1344 |
| Mileage | At least 20 cents per mile | MCL 600.1344 |
| Employer must keep paying | No | MCL 600.1348 |
| Job protected | Yes | MCL 600.1348 |
| Age | 70 and over: may ask to be excused | MCL 600.1307a |
| Length of service | Set by each court; state law allows but does not require one day/one trial, and the state best-practice manual recommends no more than two weeks. | courts.michigan.gov |
| Before another summons | 12 months | courts.michigan.gov |
| Postponing | Handled by each court's jury clerk; contact the clerk as soon as possible (example: the 15th District Court grants only one postponement). Students' service is postponed to the end of the school or academic year. | a2gov.org |
| Not showing up | Failing to attend court when summoned is punishable as contempt of court (MCL 600.1346); contempt is capped at a $7,500 fine and 93 days in jail (MCL 600.1715). | MCL 600.1346; MCL 600.1715 |
Excuses and postponement in Michigan
Exemptions must be requested; other excusals are at the court's discretion, and job reasons are generally not accepted. Handled by each court's jury clerk; contact the clerk as soon as possible (example: the 15th District Court grants only one postponement). Students' service is postponed to the end of the school or academic year.
Can I be excused or postpone?
Michigan
No ground named: ask to postpone
| Age rule | 70+, on request |
Exemptions must be requested; other excusals are at the court's discretion, and job reasons are generally not accepted. Handled by each court's jury clerk; contact the clerk as soon as possible (example: the 15th District Court grants only one postponement). Students' service is postponed to the end of the school or academic year.
A request is decided by the court, often with proof (a doctor's note, a school schedule). Ignoring a summons is not an excuse.