District of Columbia Jury Duty Leave Law (2026)

Whether your job is protected during jury service in District of Columbia, whether your employer must pay you, and if they can make you use PTO.

Job protected Verified Jul 6, 2026

Compiled and verified by David Scott · Verified Jul 6, 2026

In District of Columbia, it is illegal for an employer to fire, penalize, or threaten you for serving jury duty. Employers must pay full-time employees for up to five days of jury service, minus the jury fee. Employers with fewer than 10 employees are exempt.

Jury duty rules in District of Columbia

Job protected?

Yes

Employer must pay?

Yes

Can they require PTO?

Not addressed by state law

What to do if you're summoned

Tell your employer as soon as you get a jury summons and keep a copy. Your job is protected in every state, so you cannot be fired or disciplined for serving. Courts pay a small daily juror fee plus mileage, separate from any wages. If your employer retaliates, you can usually file a complaint with the court that summoned you or your state labor office. This is general information, not legal advice.

Common questions

District of Columbia jury duty FAQ

Can I be fired for jury duty in District of Columbia?

No. It is illegal for an employer in District of Columbia to fire, penalize, or threaten you for serving jury duty.

Does my employer have to pay me for jury duty in District of Columbia?

Employers must pay full-time employees for up to five days of jury service, minus the jury fee. Employers with fewer than 10 employees are exempt.

Can my employer make me use vacation or PTO for jury duty?

District of Columbia does not specifically prohibit it, so whether PTO is used can depend on your employer's policy. Your job remains protected either way.

Do I get paid the jury fee too?

Yes. Courts pay jurors a small daily fee (often $10 to $50) plus mileage, separate from any wages your employer pays. The fee is set by the court, not your employer.

David Scott

David Scott compiles and verifies minimum wage rates, tipped wages, and overtime rules from official state and federal labor department sources, and re-checks every page when rates change. See how the data is sourced.