Information on jury service for Massachusetts college students from the Office of Jury Commissioner.

According to the Office of Jury Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, “Every U.S. Citizen 17 years of age or older who is a Massachusetts resident or an inhabitant for more than 50 percent of the time is eligible to serve as a juror. If you are a resident of another state but a student at a Massachusetts college, you are an inhabitant for more than 50 percent of the year and, therefore, eligible to serve as a juror in Massachusetts.”

It is not unusual for students residing in Plymouth County to be summoned to serve as trial jurors. Jury service, on a short-term basis, can provide students with a good opportunity to fulfill one of their important responsibilities as members of the community. Bridgewater State University supports students in their fulfillment of this civic duty. Most jurors complete their service in one day, and virtually all are done within three days.

Students should carefully read all materials they receive with their summons to service, which contain helpful information about confirming, postponing, rescheduling or relocating service, and address many of the most frequently asked questions. Jury duty is an important legal obligation, and those who fail to respond are subject to criminal prosecution.

Students who must miss class in order to fulfill their jury service requirement should notify each of their instructors of the summons and make arrangements to complete any missed work. Students may be required to furnish their summons notice or the certificate of service when making these arrangements.

If you have any questions about jury duty, including confirming, postponing, rescheduling or limiting your service, please contact the Office of Jury Commissioner (1.800.THE.JURY/1.800.843.5879). Note that the 800 number is available only to callers with a Massachusetts area code. Students calling from an out-of-state line may contact the Office of Jury Commissioner at 617.338.6409 You can respond to your summons on line. Further information can be found on the Office of Jury Commissioner’s website.

Reviewed 8/2024 by Dr. Lucy Croft, Division for Student Life