An employee is entitled to paid time off without charge to leave for service as a juror or witness. An employee is responsible for informing his or her supervisor if he or she is excused from jury or witness service for 1 day or more or for a substantial part of a day. To avoid undue hardship, an agency may adjust the schedule of an employee who works nights or weekends and is called to jury duty.  (If there is no jury/witness service, there is no court leave.  The employee would be charged annual leave, sick leave, or leave without pay, as appropriate.)

An employee who is summoned to serve as a juror in a judicial proceeding is entitled to court leave.

An employee who is summoned as a witness in a judicial proceeding in which the Federal, State, or local government is a party is entitled to court leave.

An employee who is summoned as a witness in an official capacity on behalf of the Federal Government is on official duty, not court leave.

Employees must reimburse to their agency fees paid for service as a juror or witness.  However, monies paid to jurors or witnesses which are in the nature of "expenses" (e.g., transportation) do not have to be reimbursed to the agency.

5 U.S.C. 6322, 5537, and 5515
Comptroller General opinions: 
      26 Comp. Gen. 413 (1946)--return to work site 
      38 Comp. Gen. 142 (1958)--official duty status 
      52 Comp. Gen. 325 (1972)--private party suit
      B-214863 (07/23/84)--fees