ByA Comprehensive Guide to Michigan Jury Duty
Being summoned for jury duty might seem like a hassle to some, but it is a mandatory obligation for all U.S. citizens to ensure a fair legal system. In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know about Michigan jury duty, including:
- How it works
- For how long it lasts
- How much you will get paid
- What best ways to prepare for it are
- What you need to do to verify your jury duty with your employer
If you are unsure about requesting time off from your employer, and let us do it for you.
An Overview of Michigan Jury Duty Rules
Check out the table below for a basic overview of jury duty laws in Michigan:
| Jury Duty Rules | Brief Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility criteria | A potential juror should be:
|
| Frequency of being summoned | Potential jurors are selected once every year |
| Selection process | The jury selection process works as follows:
|
| Duration of duty | Jury duty in Michigan typically lasts for three to four days |
Jury Duty Pay in Michigan
Jury duty pay varies throughout the country, but Michigan courts provide nominal compensation to jurors for fulfilling their duties. The amount can differ, but most counties, such as Wayne County, pay jurors as follows:
| Number of Days | Compensation |
|---|---|
| First full day | $30 |
| Second full day | $45 |
| Travel reimbursement | $0.10 per mile |
If you serve on a federal jury, you will get paid $50 per day and get reimbursement for:
- Food and drink
- Travel
- Parking fees
How To Get Out of Jury Duty in Michigan
Jury duty is mandatory for all citizens. If you fail to appear in court within 14 days of the jury summons, there are legal repercussions.
You can only be excused from duty if you are:
- Mentally or physically ill
- Breastfeeding a child
- The sole caregiver of a mentally or physically handicapped person
- On active military duty
- A medical worker
- Employed in the fire or police department
- Above 70 years of age
- A full-time student
To get an exemption, you need to submit a written request accompanied by valid documentation.
Michigan courts only allow you to delay your duty once for up to three months. In case you need to extend the postponement, you need to go to court to get it directly approved by a court clerk.
Can You Get Out of Jury Duty Because of Work?
In Michigan, you cannot skip jury duty if you are unable to take time off from work. It is your employer’s responsibility to give you time off to fulfill your duty. If they fire or threaten you in any way, you can submit a complaint to the court and sue them for wrongful termination.
In case your employer is guilty of a misdemeanor, the court can charge them with a fine of up to $500 or 90 days’ imprisonment.
Use DoNotPay To Draft a Leave Request Letter
If you are hesitant to ask your boss for time off, we can swoop in to help! Our AI-powered app can create a leave request letter that complies with Michigan state laws and ensures your due rights. To write the letter, you need to take these steps:
- in your web browser
- Choose the Jury Duty Leave Request Letter product
- Enter the number of days you need off
- Upload a photo of the jury summons
We can send the letter to your employer on your behalf. If you want to send the letter yourself, download it in PDF and forward it to your boss.
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