May 09, 2018
Jury Duty in Missouri and Kansas
Receiving a Jury Summons
Serving on a jury requires that a person be a United States citizen as well as a resident of the county they have been summoned to serve. To serve on a jury, one must be proficient in English, and never received a felony conviction. All jury summons are selected randomly. What list is used to pick prospective jurors is different county to county, though driver’s license records and voter registration records are the standard.
Serving on a jury is one of the most hands-on way a civilian can serve their local government. It is important to follow all directions on your jury summons, fill out the survey if one is present, and note the date you are required to appear in court. There are a few levels of vetting that take place before a jury is selected.
Please note: failing to appear in court for jury duty can result in contempt of court and possibly being fined.
Jury Duty Compensation
Jurors must be paid for their time. Missouri law requires that jurors are paid at least $6 per day they serve plus 7 cents per mile they must travel to the courthouse from their residence. Kansas law states that a juror can be paid no less than $10 a day and no more than $50 a day plus applicable mileage.
Being Excused From Jury Duty
An appeal to be excused from jury duty can be filed, but it is at the discretion of the court whether a prospective juror may be excused from service. Undue hardship or extreme inconvenience are the primary allowances for being excused from jury duty. If you feel that you are unable to serve on a jury it is necessary to contact the court. If you are not excused from jury duty, you may not appeal to a higher court.
Only three groups of people are exempt from jury duty: active duty armed forces personnel, professional fire and police departments, and public officials who perform their public duties full-time.
Missing Work
It is important to inform your employer as soon as you can about your jury summons. An employer is not required to pay you while you are on jury duty, though several companies choose to pay full wages. Missing work when you are on jury duty is not grounds for termination of employment. Anyone who is fired because they were serving on jury duty has the right to bring a civil action against their employer within a set number of days. It is important to check with your county court for specifics.
If you or someone you know need legal assistance in Kansas or Missouri, contact us today at (816) 875-0470!