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Can I get out of jury duty in Arizona?

Federal & State Law Editorial TeamLast reviewed: 2026-05-17

Arizona jury service is governed by A.R.S. §§ 21-201 to 21-241. Each county's superior court manages the jury pool.

1. Qualifications (A.R.S. § 21-201)

  • US citizen, age 18 or older.
  • Resident of the county.
  • Able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
  • Never convicted of a felony (unless civil rights restored).
  • Not currently adjudicated mentally incompetent.

    • 2. Statutory Exemptions

  • Active members of the US Armed Forces on duty.
  • Convicted felons.
  • Persons adjudicated mentally incompetent.

    • 3. Age-Based Excusal (A.R.S. § 21-202(B)(2))

    A juror 75 years of age or older may be excused upon written request.

    4. Hardship Excusal (A.R.S. § 21-202)

    The court may excuse for:

  • Medical hardship (physician statement).
  • Care for a person under 18 or with a disability.
  • Extreme financial hardship.
  • Recent prior jury service.

    • 5. Juror Pay (A.R.S. § 21-221)

  • $12 per day for the first 5 days.
  • $50 per day from day 6 onward under the Lengthy Trial Fund.
  • Mileage reimbursement at state rate.

    • 6. Employer Rules (A.R.S. § 21-236)

    Employers may not require employees to use annual, vacation, or sick leave for jury service. Threatening or firing an employee for service is a class 2 misdemeanor. Wages during service are not statutorily required.

    7. Penalties for Skipping

    Failure to appear is contempt of court under A.R.S. § 21-334 — fines up to $500 and possible jail.

    This is legal information, not legal advice.

    When to Talk to a Lawyer
    • You are facing a contempt charge for missing a jury duty summons
    • Your employer retaliated, demoted, or fired you for serving on a jury
    • You were denied excusal despite legitimately qualifying (age, disability, hardship)
    Related Statutes & Laws
    • A.R.S. § 21-201
    • A.R.S. § 21-202
    • A.R.S. § 21-221
    • A.R.S. § 21-236
    • A.R.S. § 21-334

    This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.