What Happens if I Don’t Go to Jury Duty?

Many people view jury duty as an important civic duty, while others do their best to escape it at all costs. There are only a few specific professions that are always exempt from jury duty and if you do not fall into one of these categories, you will be called and must attend. However, you might be able to obtain an excuse for a current round. But, if you fail to show up for jury duty and do not have an excusal, you could face serious penalties.

Who is Exempt From Jury Duty?

The only professionals who are exempt from jury duty each time they are called include the following:

• Public officers who are actively working for local, state, or federal governments
• Professional police officers and firefighters
• Active duty members of the armed forces

How to Qualify for Jury Duty

Every person 18 years or older can be added to the jury pool. You must speak English, not have a felony conviction on your record, and you must not have a disqualifying physical or mental condition. In order to be called for jury duty for the county or district where you live, you must have lived there for at least one year.

Jury Duty is Mandatory

Jury duty is not an option, it is a mandatory service that Americans are required to perform. You cannot simply ignore or decline the notice that has been mailed to your home. You can be penalized for failing to report at any level unless you are officially excused by the court.

A Summons for Jury Duty is a Court Order

A jury duty summons is technically a court order. The summons informs you to appear before the court, making it a requirement that you show up or obtain a valid excuse from the court to not appear. Should you ignore the summons, you are violating a binding court order and can be charged with contempt of court.

What Happens Should You Skip Jury Duty

Should you fail to appear at the first required date for jury duty, the court will likely contact you. You will be asked to make an appearance in front of a judge to explain why you failed to appear at jury duty. At this hearing you will be rescheduled for a new date for jury duty.

If the judge deems appropriate, you will be assigned a fine to pay once you tell your story about why you missed jury duty. If you fail to appear before the judge a criminal complaint and arrest warrant can be issued.

Fines can range from $250 to $2,000 depending on where you live. You might also be required to spend five or more days in jail depending on the laws of the jurisdiction.

Reasons Why People Are Excused From Jury Duty

Even though you have been summoned to serve on a jury it does not necessarily mean you will be selected for the jury. The prosecutors and defense attorneys will ask each potential juror a set of questions. If they do not like your answers, or if you reveal something that might be deemed a conflict of interest related to the case, you will likely be excused. Once you are excused you can leave and you do not have to return again until another summons is sent to you.

The most common reasons why people are excused from jury duty include the following:

• You already have information about the case
• You are related to or know someone who is involved in the case
• You have a strong prejudice about the issue surrounding the case or the people involved

You might be able to receive an excusal from jury duty ahead of your first schedule appearance for the any of the following reasons:

• You served on a jury for a similar court within the last two years
• You are 70 or older
• You are experiencing an extreme inconvenience or undue hardship at the time of jury duty
• You serve as a member of a volunteer rescue squad, ambulance squad, or are a volunteer firefighter

Requesting a Postponement of Jury Duty

If you truly want to serve on a jury after being summoned, it can be easier to acquire a postponement than an excusal. Most states have an online portal where you can request the postponement. This can be done to ensure that you do not have to appear right now because of an upcoming surgery, a death in the family, or many other reasons. A postponement means you will be issued a summons relatively soon after the initial one.

Richard Barnes – President of The Barnes Firm

Richard Barnes: “As President of The Barnes Firm, I have dedicated my career to achieving justice in hundreds of cases for the victims of injuries caused through the fault of others. Additionally, I have been honored to have been elected Best Lawyer and a Super Lawyer”

Years of Experience: 30+ years
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