Tuesday, March 19, 2024


Information for Employers


If your employee has been summoned to jury duty in the United States District Court, this information may be useful.

In order to ensure that the serious need for federal court jurors is met, the Protection of Jurors' Employment Statute Title 28, United States Code, Section 1875 was enacted in 1978. The statute demonstrates the attitude of the United States Congress toward assuring adequate representation and the corresponding duty of employers to their employees and the justice system. Financial hardship claimed as an excuse by an individual summoned for jury duty is not usually a valid reason for the Court to grant release from service. Unless there are some compelling reasons for that excuse, it will not be granted.

It is the employer's discretion to pay an employee who is serving as a juror. The Court pays $50.00 per day, mileage and parking or repayment of public transportation expenses. If an employer decides to pay an employee during jury service, the employer may request reimbursement from the juror for the fees less the mileage paid by the Court. Certificates of Attendance for those who report to the Court are generated by the Jury Department and given to each person who requests one at the end of the day.

The Court attempts to limit the amount of time a juror actually spends at the Court, but jurors must be available during their term of service (one week in Detroit and two weeks in the Ann Arbor, Bay City, Flint and Port Huron offices). Prospective jurors for Detroit must phone in every evening during that time to find out whether they will report to the courthouse the next day. Prospective jurors for Ann Arbor, Bay City, Flint and Port Huron call in as directed, generally once or twice per week during their term of service. The Court appreciates the understanding of employers during this period of time.