What Happens If You Blow Off Jury Duty

[Spooner]

this happened to a friend of mine a few years back

 

[mugs]

They hang you by the legs in the town square for all to see?

 

[mrwabam]

This isn't funny at all.

I am that friend :-(

 

[Leejai]

it is illegal and yes, they can put out a warrant for failure to do your civic duty.

However, with that in mind, you're still innocent until proven guilty and unless they sent that letter certified, there's no proof that this letter nor each and every letter they will send you after telling you that you broke the law was indeed delivered.

Interpret that as you will

 

[darkxshade]

You will end up being a defendant instead?

 

[TheNewbie]

Kiss your friend good bye for now, and tell him you'll come visit.

 

[Nitemare]

Federal PMITA Penitentiary

 

[FoBoT]

Penalties for failing to appear for jury duty differ from state to state, however, it is similar in most states. A jury summons is an official court summons, and receives the same treatment as any other court order. As such, if you fail to appear when you are summoned for jury duty, you may be held in contempt of court. As a result, you could receive a fine which you must promptly pay. Also, failure to appear will result in a notice being mailed to you advising you of your failure to appear and requesting notification in writing as to the reasons why you did not appear. But just because you failed to appear the first time, don't think you got off the hook that easily. In conjunction with the mailed notice, you will also be rescheduled for jury duty.

http://www.associatedcontent.c...your_jury_summons.html

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: Leejai
it is illegal and yes, they can put out a warrant for failure to do your civic duty.

However, with that in mind, you're still innocent until proven guilty and unless they sent that letter certified, there's no proof that this letter nor each and every letter they will send you after telling you that you broke the law was indeed delivered.

Yeah, good luck with that defense. If you try it hope you get a friendly cell-mate. But not TOO friendly.


There's possibly a bench warrant out for your arrest. They won't go out of their way to serve it, but if you come to their attention through some other means you're likely to get an unpleasant surprise. You could get pulled over for a broken tail-light and then carted away in handcuffs when they run your license. Call the jury administration and get it taken care of by scheduling a date ASAP. You probably won't get in trouble if YOU make the effort to fix it, but if you don't try and they catch you you could be in a world of hurt.


That reminds me, my next service is coming up soon. I think I'm on the hook for the week of February 18th.

Ooops, got my reminder in the mail today, it's the 11th. I hope it snows.

 

[Xavier434]

As stated by FoBoT, expect a fine and another scheduled jury duty date.

 

[abaez]

I ignored at all throughout college and the few years after and nothing happened.

Finally got one in December and was on a jury for DUI case (not alchohol, but depression meds). Found the guy guilty and it was awful, it's weird to have so much influence on a person's life, at least for the next few months.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

I've gotten summoned for jury duty twice. The first time, I had just moved out of state, and they had a checkbox on the form if you no longer lived in the county, so that was simple. The second time there was a questionnaire, which I completely blew off, and found several months later. I shredded it and never heard another word about it. So you won't necessarily get hit with a fine, though it is a possibility.

FWIW, I didn't intend to skip out on jury duty. I believe the jury system is a fair and just one, and while I'm sure I would make a good juror, I am 100 percent certain that I would never pass the screening process. The system is screwy that way... they want the most ignorant cross-section of humanity they can find.

 

[Spooner]

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Penalties for failing to appear for jury duty differ from state to state, however, it is similar in most states. A jury summons is an official court summons, and receives the same treatment as any other court order. As such, if you fail to appear when you are summoned for jury duty, you may be held in contempt of court. As a result, you could receive a fine which you must promptly pay. Also, failure to appear will result in a notice being mailed to you advising you of your failure to appear and requesting notification in writing as to the reasons why you did not appear. But just because you failed to appear the first time, don't think you got off the hook that easily. In conjunction with the mailed notice, you will also be rescheduled for jury duty.

http://www.associatedcontent.c...your_jury_summons.html

Boo. Let's tell him he's going to jail

 

[moshquerade]

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...y=y&keyword1=jury+duty

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...y=y&keyword1=jury+duty

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...y=y&keyword1=jury+duty

 

[Leejai]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Originally posted by: Leejai
it is illegal and yes, they can put out a warrant for failure to do your civic duty.

However, with that in mind, you're still innocent until proven guilty and unless they sent that letter certified, there's no proof that this letter nor each and every letter they will send you after telling you that you broke the law was indeed delivered.

Yeah, good luck with that defense. If you try it hope you get a friendly cell-mate. But not TOO friendly.


There's possibly a bench warrant out for your arrest. They won't go out of their way to serve it, but if you come to their attention through some other means you're likely to get an unpleasant surprise. You could get pulled over for a broken tail-light and then carted away in handcuffs when they run your license. Call the jury administration and get it taken care of by scheduling a date ASAP. You probably won't get in trouble if YOU make the effort to fix it, but if you don't try and they catch you you could be in a world of hurt.


That reminds me, my next service is coming up soon. I think I'm on the hook for the week of February 18th.

I actually heard this from a friend who's a county clerk. You'll be amazed with how many people claim to never have received their summons. No matter how long they've been at the same address and somehow received the latest summons after "not receiving them" for years. Go figure. Some are legit he says where people live in apts or condos and summons don't have the apt# on file.

 

[mrwabam]

Works for me, i'm gonna blame it on spooner for always hiding my mail....

:guns:

 

[funkymatt]

haha, thx mosh. updated my OP.