⚡ New York Jury Duty Pay — Quick Facts
New York is one of the few states that legally requires employers to pay employees during jury duty. If you've received a jury summons in New York, you're in a better position than jurors in most other states — your employer must keep paying you for the first 3 days.
✅ Quick Answer: New York pays $72/day starting day 4. Your employer must pay your regular full wages for days 1–3 under Judiciary Law §519. Mileage is $0.19/mile plus $0.50 per bridge/tunnel toll.
New York Jury Duty Pay Schedule
| Day of Service | Who Pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Your Employer | Your Regular Full Wage |
| Day 4 onward | NY Court | $72/day |
| Federal court (NY) | Federal Court | $50/day (then $60) |
📌 Note for Small Employers: Employers with 10 or fewer employees are exempt from the mandatory pay requirement for the first 3 days if paying would cause an undue hardship. However, they still cannot retaliate against you.
NY Employer Pay Requirements — What the Law Says
New York Judiciary Law Section 519 is one of the strongest employer pay laws in the country. Here's exactly what it requires:
- Employers with 11+ employees must pay full regular wages for days 1–3
- The employer can deduct the $72/day court pay from your wages on day 4+
- Part-time employees are covered on a prorated basis
- Salaried employees must receive their full regular salary
- Hourly workers must be paid for all hours they would have worked
⚠️ Employer Violation? If your employer refuses to pay your wages for days 1–3, you can file a complaint with the New York Department of Labor or pursue a civil claim. Violations carry penalties for the employer.
Mileage Reimbursement in New York
New York courts reimburse $0.19 per mile for travel to the courthouse. Additionally:
- Bridge and tunnel tolls: $0.50 per toll is reimbursed
- Parking: Not automatically reimbursed — check with your specific courthouse
- NYC jurors: The subway/bus fare is typically reimbursed in lieu of mileage in New York City
Example: 5-Day Trial in New York
Assuming your daily wage is $200/day and you live 20 miles from the courthouse:
- Days 1–3: Employer pays $200 × 3 = $600
- Days 4–5: Court pays $72 × 2 = $144
- Mileage: 20 mi × $0.19 × 5 = $19
- Total compensation: $763
Anti-Retaliation Protections in New York
New York has strong job protection laws for jurors:
- ❌ Employer cannot fire you for jury service
- ❌ Employer cannot demote, threaten, or intimidate you
- ✅ You are entitled to return to your same position and pay after service
- ✅ You cannot lose accrued benefits (PTO, health insurance) during service
- ✅ Employers violating these rules face civil liability and criminal misdemeanor charges
Can You Get Excused from Jury Duty in New York?
If you receive a summons but cannot serve, New York allows you to request a postponement or complete excusal under specific circumstances. Most courts allow you to reschedule your service one postponement of up to 6 months. Submit your postponement online at nyjuror.gov.
Who is Exempt from Jury Duty in New York?
New York law provides automatic or requested exemptions for several categories of individuals:
- Seniors: Residents aged 70+ can request an exemption (either permanent or for that specific summons) based on age.
- Medical Hardship: A physical or mental condition that makes serving impossible, verified by a physician’s note.
- Caregivers: Individuals with active custody/care of a child under a certain age (or a dependent adult) with no alternative care.
- Active Military & Students: Active duty military personnel stationed out of state, or full-time students.
Jury Duty Excuse Letter Template for New York
If you need to submit a written request to be excused, you can copy and customize the template below to mail or email to the New York jury commissioner:
County-Specific Jury Duty Guides
While New York's Judiciary Law ensures a consistent pay rate, the logistical experience of serving in New York City differs greatly from Upstate New York. Explore our specialized guides:
- Kings County (Brooklyn) Jury Duty Pay Guide — Transit tips for 360 Adams St. and local amenities.
- Queens County Jury Duty Pay Guide — Parking logistics for Kew Gardens and reporting details.
New York County Variations & Courthouses
While New York's Judiciary Law §519 sets a statewide framework for juror pay, the administrative experience varies significantly between New York City and Upstate New York. NYC's high-volume courts have specialized procedures for orientation and security.
Primary Reporting Locations
If you are summoned for state-level service (Supreme Court or Civil Court), you will likely report to one of these major hubs:
- Manhattan: New York County Courthouse (60 Centre St) or Criminal Courts Building (100 Centre St).
- Brooklyn: Kings County Supreme Court at 360 Adams Street.
- Bronx: Bronx County Hall of Justice on Grand Concourse.
- Queens: Queens County Supreme Court (Jamaica or Long Island City).
- Albany: Albany County Courthouse on Eagle Street.
Notable Regional Differences
New York's diverse geography leads to different logistical expectations for jurors:
- Transportation in NYC: In the five boroughs, jurors are strongly encouraged to use the subway or bus. Manhattan courthouses are all conveniently located near major transit hubs (4, 5, 6, J, Z, R, W trains). Parking validation is almost never available in NYC.
- Upstate Parking: In counties like Erie (Buffalo) or Monroe (Rochester), jurors are often provided with designated parking lots or validated parking at nearby garages.
- Grand Jury Terms: NY Grand Jury terms are exceptionally long (often 4 weeks or more), which triggers the $72/day court pay much sooner than a typical trial juror would see it.
Real-World Case: 5-Day Trial in Manhattan, NY
To help you understand how New York's unique "Employer-First" pay system works, let’s look at a typical 5-day service stint for a Manhattan resident working for a company with 15 employees.
Scenario: 5 full days of attendance, employee earns $200/day salary.
- Days 1–3 (Employer Paid): $600.00 (Employer must pay your full regular wage by law)
- Days 4–5 (Court Paid): $144.00 (The court takes over on Day 4 at the $72/day rate)
- Mileage/Commute: $0.00 (NYC jurors typically use public transit; subway fare may be reimbursed separately)
- Total Estimated Payment: $744.00
*Note: Per NY law, if your employer has more than 10 employees, they MUST pay at least the $40 minimum per day for the first 3 days. Most professional firms pay the full salary.
What Happens if You Skip Jury Duty in New York?
Jury duty is a legal mandate. Failing to appear after being properly summoned in New York is considered Contempt of Court. While judges rarely issue arrest warrants immediately for a first-time miss, they have the legal authority to enforce the following penalties:
- Fines: You can be fined up to $250 (civil penalty).
- Contempt Charges: A judge may issue a "Show Cause Order," requiring you to appear in court and explain your absence.
- Criminal Record: Severe or repeated cases of skipping jury duty can result in misdemeanor contempt charges and a brief jail sentence in some counties.
If you missed your date, contact the jury office immediately. Most courts will reschedule you without penalties if you show cooperation.
Calculate Your New York Jury Duty Pay
Enter your daily wage and service days to see your exact compensation including employer pay.
Use Free Calculator →