Scam Alert
Fraudulent calls about “missed” jury duty and arrest warrants
We have received reports of scam phone calls, including automated robocalls, telling residents they missed jury duty, that a warrant has been issued for their arrest, and that they must pay a fine immediately to avoid being taken into custody. Some callers reference real court officials by name to sound convincing.
These calls are not from the Circuit Court. Courts and law enforcement never call demanding immediate payment by phone, gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency to avoid arrest. If you actually fail to appear for jury duty, you will be notified in writing by the Clerk’s Office or the court, not by a phone call demanding payment.
If you receive one of these calls:
- Hang up. Do not press any numbers or stay on the line.
- Do not give out personal information such as your Social Security number, date of birth, or bank and credit card details.
- Do not send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
- Do not call back any number the caller provided.
- If you’re unsure whether a legal matter involving you is real, contact your local courthouse directly using a number you look up yourself, not one given to you by the caller.
You can also report the call to your local law enforcement agency, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov, or the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
This is an ongoing scam affecting multiple jurisdictions. Please share this notice with family members, especially those who may be more vulnerable to phone scams.
Find Out More About Jury Duty
Jury service is a necessary civic duty and is required by law. The goal of Florida law is that a jury be composed of a fair cross section of the community, working individuals, retirees, members of different sexes, as well as social backgrounds, to constitute a legal jury for the civil and criminal courts.
How am I selected to receive a jury summons?
Florida law requires that names of persons living in the county be selected at random for jury service from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) records of people having a driver’s license or identification card.
What qualifies me as a juror?
- A person must be at least 18 years of age
- A citizen of the United States, a legal resident of the State of Florida
- Must be a resident of the county
- Must hold a Florida driver license or identification card issued by DHSMV
In the event you do not hold a Florida driver license or I.D. card, but wish to serve as a juror, and you fit three of the requirements listed above, you may fill out an affidavit at the Clerk’s office which will place your name on the list of those eligible for selection.
Who is disqualified to be a juror?
- The Governor and Governor’s cabinet
- Clerks of the Circuit Court and Judges
- Persons who are under prosecution for any crime or who have been convicted in Florida or any other state, territory or country or in any federal court of bribery, forgery, perjury, larceny, or any other offense that is a felony in the State of Florida (unless their civil rights have been restored).
- Additionally any person with an interest in an issue to be tried cannot sit as juror in the case where the issue will be tried.
How may I be excused from jury services?
You may request to be excused from jury duty if you are:
- Full-time federal, state or local law enforcement or investigative personnel
- An expectant mother or a parent who is not employed full time and who has custody of a child under six years of age
- A person 70 years of age or older shall be excused from jury service upon request. A person 70 years of age or older may also be permanently excused from jury service upon written request
- Any person who is responsible for the care of a person who, because of mental illness, intellectual disability, senility, or other physical or mental incapacity, is incapable of caring for himself or herself shall be excused from jury service upon request
- Other persons who can demonstrate hardship, extreme inconvenience or public necessity may also request to be excused by the court
- A presiding judge may, in his or her discretion, excuse a practicing attorney, a practicing physician, or a person who is physically infirm from jury service, except that no person shall be excused from service on a civil trial jury solely on the basis that the person is deaf or hearing impaired, if that person wishes to serve, unless the presiding judge makes a finding that consideration of the evidence to be presented requires auditory discrimination or that the timely progression of the trial will be considerably affected thereby.
Please note: A person who is summoned and has reported as a prospective juror is exempt from jury service for one year.
How long is jury service?
In Florida jurors serve for the duration of the trial, generally only one day, unless otherwise directed by a Judge.
What is the compensation for jury service?
Jurors are paid in accordance with Florida law. If you are regularly employed and receive regular wages while serving as a juror, you are not entitled to be paid for the first three days of your service. If you are not regularly employed or you don’t receive regular wages during your service, you will be compensated at the rate of $15 per day for the first three days of service. Each juror who serves more than three days is entitled to be paid $30 per day for the fourth day of service and each day thereafter.
Juror Duty Information by County
General information about serving as a juror in the Florida State Courts is available in Chapter 40 of the Florida Statutes.
Also, a Handbook for Jurors has been published by The Florida Bar.
American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
