How old is too old for jury duty in North Carolina? What state law says
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- North Carolinians aged 72+ may request jury duty exemption under state law.
- Disability, out-of-state student status or timing conflicts justify duty deferral.
- Skipping jury duty may lead to contempt charges or a fine of up to $50 per miss.
More than 1 in 10 Americans receive jury summons in the mail each year, which means thousands of North Carolina residents will serve on juries in the coming months.
Jury duty is mandatory for nearly everyone aged 18 or older who receives a summons, according to state law, even if you have to miss work or adjust personal schedules to participate in a trial.
But can you be too old to serve on a jury in North Carolina?
Here’s what to know.
Is there an age limit for jury duty in NC?
No. State law doesn’t cap the age for jurors, but those aged 72 and older can request to be excused, Carl Nagle, a Winston-Salem attorney with Nagle & Associates, told The Charlotte Observer.
Other groups in North Carolina are eligible to miss jury duty, too.
Who can get out of jury duty in NC?
In addition to those aged 72 and older, any person who is a full-time student at a school outside of North Carolina can request to be excused from jury duty any time five days before the date they are scheduled to appear, according to the N.C. Judicial Branch.
“At any age, if you have a disability that prevents proper service, you can request to be excused as well,” Nagle said. “Thus, for a person on dialysis who might be in their 50s or 60s, their personal health needs allow them to avoid serving.”
Those who receive a jury summons but are not able to serve on their assigned dates can request an excuse or deferral from their county’s clerk of superior court office, the state says.
Who is eligible to serve on a jury in NC?
According to the N.C. Judicial Branch website, qualified jurors must be:
U.S. citizens
Residents of the county they are serving in
At least 18 years old
Physically and mentally competent
Able to understand English
People who are eligible can only serve as jurors once every two years, and as grand jurors once every six years, the N.C. Judicial Branch says. Those who have been convicted of a felony cannot serve as jurors unless their citizenship rights have been restored.
When do you have to report for jury duty in NC?
Each jury summons provides the date, time and place to report for jury duty, according to the N.C. Judicial Branch.
Jurors are encouraged to bring reading materials to help pass the time. While comfortable clothing is recommended, some judges may restrict entry to those dressed too casually.
How much do jurors get paid in NC?
According to the N.C. Judicial Branch, trial jurors are paid $12 for their first day of service and $20 for each additional day. After five days, the rate increases to $40 per day.
North Carolina law protects employees from being fired for serving on a jury, though it doesn’t require employers to pay them for missed work.
While most jurors serve just one or two days, those selected for a trial may be required to serve for several weeks.
Can you go to jail for missing jury duty in NC?
Yes. Judges have the authority to issue subpoenas requiring citizens to report for jury duty, Nagle previously told the Observer.
North Carolina law allows courts to issue arrest orders for those who ignore a subpoena, but Nagle said that’s rare.
“In actual practice, often nothing happens at all,” Nagle said, adding that judges and courts in Forsyth County have never issued subpoenas for failure to appear for jury duty. “Thus, for North Carolina state courts, including District Court and Superior, some counties do absolutely nothing to follow up on citizens who simply fail to appear for jury service.”
It’s more likely that you’ll be held in contempt or fined $50 for each time you fail to appear — unless you have an excuse “deemed sufficient,” according to the N.C. Judicial Branch.
This story was originally published June 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM.
