You are reimbursed for one-way mileage from your home to the courthouse, also starting on the second day.
When you receive a jury summons in Santa Clara County, it is a legal order. The selection process is random, drawing from Department of Motor Vehicles records and voter registration lists.
California law prohibits employers from firing or harassing employees for taking time off for jury duty, though they are not legally required to pay your salary while you serve. Courthouse Locations
On any given Monday, the court may cancel all jurors for the week due to settlements or trial schedules. You might think you’re serving, but a 5:00 PM status update could free you entirely. Also, parking near 191 N First Street is expensive ($15–25/day) – take VTA light rail (St. James Station) or Caltrain (San Jose Diridon) plus a short walk or free downtown shuttle.
: Summoned jurors are typically on "standby" for one week. You must check your status online or via the jury line at (408) 808-6666 starting the weekend before your service week.
Bring a book, laptop, or tablet. While courthouses offer free Wi-Fi, there is often significant downtime while judges and attorneys finalize pre-trial motions. Juror Pay and Perks