For many citizens, a jury summons is their first interaction with your court.

Before they ever step inside your building…

Before they speak to staff…

They form an opinion based on that one document.

Is it clear? 

Is it overwhelming?

Does it explain what to do next?

At ezJustice, we believe courts deserve more than software. They deserve tools, resources, and ideas that help staff succeed.  This guide is part of our commitment to becoming a hub of practical support for jury commissioners and court staff.

Below is a free, practical checklist to help you modernize your jury summons — plus design tips to improve clarity and public understanding.

Why Your Jury Summons Design Matters

A well-organized jury process builds trust and confidence in the court system.

Your summons sets the tone.

If instructions are confusing:

• Phone lines fill up
• Staff answer repeated questions
• Jurors miss deadlines
• Appearance rates drop

If instructions are clear:

• Compliance improves
• Call volume drops
• Staff workload decreases
• The juror experience improves

The Essential Jury Summons Checklist

Every modern jury summons should clearly answer four questions:

1. Why am I receiving this?
2. What do I need to do?
3. When do I need to do it?
4. What happens if I don’t?

Use this checklist to review your current summons:

1. Clear Header and Official Identification

Your summons should immediately communicate authority.

Include:

• Court name and address
• Official seal (if applicable)
• “Official Jury Summons” clearly displayed
• Candidate number or juror ID

Clarity builds legitimacy.

2. Plain-Language Explanation of Selection

Explain:

• How jurors were selected (voter list, DMV list, etc.)
• That selection is random and statutory

This reassures jurors that the process is fair and legitimate.

Keep this section short. Avoid legal jargon.

3. Clear Action Steps (Step-by-Step Format)

One of the strongest design elements is the use of step-based instructions, such as:

Step 1 – Log in to the Jury Portal

• Visit the website or scan the QR code
• Enter candidate number and date of birth
• Confirm contact information
• Complete questionnaire

This format reduces confusion.

Modern jurors expect online access. Jury by ezJustice includes a mobile-responsive juror portal that allows jurors to complete questionnaires, update contact information, and request excusals or deferrals.

When summons instructions clearly direct jurors to the portal, courts reduce manual paperwork and staff follow-up.

4. Prominent Report Date and Time

Your report date must stand out.

Best practices:

• Bold font
• Boxed section
• Larger text size
• Placed in the middle of the page

Avoid burying report instructions in paragraphs.

5. Clear Reporting Instructions

Modern courts often use:

• Call-in systems
• Text reporting lines
• Portal-based status updates

Clear conditional instructions prevent unnecessary courthouse traffic.

Jury by ezJustice allows courts to send mass notifications for trial updates or cancellations and supports juror communication preferences, helping reduce failure-to-appear rates

When your summons aligns with your communication system, confusion decreases.

6. QR Code for Easy Access

QR codes are now standard public behavior.

Every modern summons should include:

• A clearly labeled QR code
• A direct portal URL
• Simple login instructions

7. Consequences of Failure to Appear

This section must be firm but readable.

Include:

• Clear legal authority reference
• Consequences stated plainly
• Avoid overly aggressive tone

Your documents should cite penalties under state code, which reinforces the seriousness without overwhelming the reader.

8. Contact Information in Multiple Formats

Include:

• Phone number
• Email address
• Text line (if available)

Modern jury management systems support centralized communication tracking, allowing courts to manage email, SMS, and portal messages in one place.

Providing multiple contact options increases accessibility.

Design Tips to Make Jury Summonses Easier to Read

Even if your content is correct, formatting can make or break comprehension.

Here are practical improvements courts can implement immediately:

Use White Space Generously

Dense paragraphs overwhelm readers.

Break content into:

• Short sections
• Bullet points
• Clear headers

Use Visual Hierarchy

Make important elements larger:

• “Official Jury Summons”
• Report Date
• Required Action
• “Do Not Report Unless Instructed”

Use bold, boxes, or shaded sections strategically.

Limit All Caps

All caps should be used only for:

• Legal warnings
• Critical instructions

Overuse makes documents harder to read.

Keep Instructions Sequential

Organize content in order:

1. Log in to the portal
2. Complete questionnaire
3. Wait for reporting instructions
4. Bring summons if required

This reduces anxiety and repetitive questions.

Consider Add-On Features Like Parking Passes

This is a great user-experience enhancement.
It reduces confusion on arrival and improves flow at the courthouse.

How Jury by ezJustice Helps Modernize Summonses

While summons formatting is a court decision, software can make modernization easier.

Jury by ezJustice supports:

• Customizable templates

   

• Optional in-house printing and mailing services

   

• Mail status visibility

   

• One-click submission of mailing jobs

   

Courts maintain control over their summons design, and assistance is included under maintenance

That means:

• You can update formatting without vendor delays
• You can adjust the language quickly
• You can modernize your summons without extra cost

Combined with the juror portal, mass notifications, and centralized communication tools, courts can align summons instructions with actual digital workflows.

Final Thoughts: Your Summons Reflects Your Court

A modern jury summons should be:

• Clear

   

• Structured
• Action-oriented
• Easy to scan
• Easy to follow

It should reduce staff workload — not create more of it.

At ezJustice, our goal is not just to provide jury management software.
It’s to support courts with practical resources that improve daily operations.

If you’d like help reviewing your current summons design or exploring how modern jury management tools can support your workflow, our team is always available to help.

Because modern courts deserve modern tools — and modern communication.