Got a San Diego jury summons? Don't ignore it: the court says anyone who doesn't appear or respond "may be found in contempt of Court and may be placed in custody and/or fined." But you have more room than the summons makes it look: you can push it up to six months, move it to a closer courthouse, or ask to be excused. And if you're over 70 with health concerns, the court says you can be excused for good without a doctor's letter.
Send this to your parents. The message is already written; you just pick who.
"If you get a San Diego jury summons: over 70 with health concerns, the court says you can be permanently excused without a doctor's letter. Here's how, plus how to postpone:"
Your options, in the court's words
| You want to | What the court says | How |
|---|---|---|
| Postpone | "Up to six months from your reporting date." The court mails a new summons about a month before the new date. | The online Juror Portal, or call (619) 844-2800 if you're still eligible. Have your juror ID number. |
| Go a little early or late | You can report "up to two weeks before or two weeks after your summoned reporting date, as long as jurors are called in for duty." | Check the court's Telephone Standby page first; if jurors aren't called in, you can't walk in. |
| Serve closer to home | Transfers are allowed. | Call (619) 844-2800, 10am to 3:30pm Monday through Thursday, 10am to noon Friday, for a Deputy Jury Commissioner. |
| Be excused | "Considered on an individual basis." The request must explain why postponing won't solve the problem. | Online in the Juror Portal or in person at the courthouse. Not by phone. |
| Over 70 | "Yes, unless your health prevents you from doing so. If you have health concerns and are over the age of 70, you may be permanently excused without a doctor's letter." | Ask through the Juror Portal's excuse request, or call (619) 844-2800 to ask how. |
The phone has recorded information and prompts 24 hours a day; staff answer 10am to 3:30pm Monday through Thursday and 10am to noon Friday. San Diego Superior Court jury FAQ, read October 13, 2026.
After you ask
- Silence usually means yes. The court only notifies people whose excuse isn't accepted. If you don't hear back, the court says to consider yourself excused, or call about two weeks after your request, or check your status in the Juror Portal.
- Keep the summons and the juror ID number. You need the ID number to get into your record.
- Students aren't exempt, but can postpone to the next school break.
If you serve
- How long: one day or one trial. Most trials run 3 to 7 days; if you aren't picked, you're usually done in a day. Afterward you're exempt for one year.
- Pay: state law pays $15 a day and 34 cents a mile each way, starting on the second day. The check is mailed two or three weeks after you finish.
- Your job: employers aren't required by law to pay you for jury duty, though many do. Check your company's policy.
- Parking: free at the East, North and South County courthouses; none free at the Central Courthouse downtown, which offers transit passes. Court locations.
Where PJ helps
PJ, a local in Solana Beach, sits down with a parent to find the juror ID number, get into the Juror Portal, fill in the postponement or excuse request in their own words, and save the confirmation. He doesn't give legal advice. The portal help desk · Senior benefits checkup · Text PJ.
Site won't let you in? If it says Access Denied, the captcha keeps looping, or the login won't take: what to try first (four steps from Cloudflare's own list), then the agency's phone line or office does the same thing without the website. Or text PJ and he sits down and does it with you.
More local answers
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This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
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Questions people ask
How do I postpone jury duty in San Diego?
Use the online Juror Portal or call (619) 844-2800, with your juror ID number. San Diego Superior Court allows a postponement of up to six months from your reporting date, and mails a new summons about a month before the new date.
Can I get out of jury duty if I'm over 70 in California?
In San Diego, the court says people over 70 still serve unless their health prevents it, and that if you have health concerns and are over 70 you may be permanently excused without a doctor's letter. Ask through the Juror Portal or call (619) 844-2800.
Can I ask to be excused from jury duty over the phone?
No. The San Diego court accepts excuse requests online in the Juror Portal or in person at the courthouse, not by phone. Postponements and transfers can be done by phone.
What happens if I ignore a jury summons in San Diego?
The court cites Code of Civil Procedure section 209: a summoned juror who fails to appear or respond may be found in contempt of court and may be placed in custody and/or fined.
How much does San Diego jury duty pay?
$15 a day and 34 cents a mile each way from home to the court, starting on the second day of service, mailed two or three weeks after you finish.
My jury date is a few days away. Can I still postpone in San Diego?
Often, yes. The San Diego Superior Court says you may postpone "for up to six months from your reporting date" in the online Juror Portal, or by calling (619) 844-2800 "if you are still eligible to postpone." Have your juror ID number ready. The phone prompts run 24 hours a day; staff answer Monday through Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Fridays 10:00 a.m. to noon. You may also report up to two weeks before or after your date, "as long as jurors are called in for duty." Stuck in the portal? Text PJ and he can walk you through it.
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