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I missed jury duty

Illuminated

Illuminated

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Sep 25, 2008
1,081
359
Denver
So I work a night job, and I had jury duty this past Monday. I worked Sunday night, and I sleep through the morning and into the afternoon. Completely forgetting I had jury duty that day. I took out the paper they sent me, and it said that if I fail to report to jury duty, I will either get fined $500, or get imprisoned for 10 days, or both.

First of all, I'm not a criminal. I wouldn't last 10 minutes in jail, let alone 10 days. And I'm not able to pay 500 bucks out of my pocket. I've got my car insurance to pay for, and my health insurance to pay for. $500 bucks is not in my plan.

What usually happens to most people if they forget to show up?
 
Send in a letter from work stating your hours. Pretty much, you tell the court that because of work schedule you can't make it. However, this should have been done sooner. But I believe you can still make it. Just be quick about it.
 
jav6454 said:
Send in a letter from work stating your hours. Pretty much, you tell the court that because of work schedule you can't make it. However, this should have been done sooner. But I believe you can still make it. Just be quick about it.
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But I already MISSED jury duty! it was the 19th.
 
Just don't drop the soap and you'll be fine in jail ;)

Have you tried calling them? This varies from city to city and no one here can answer what will happen. I'd be surprised if they actually followed through on a fine or jail if you call and explain yourself and offer to serve in the coming months.
 
I'd say if their paperwork has a number on it, call them and explain what happened. Make an effort! If they see that it was an honest mistake and you're not just blowing them off, that can wheigh heavily on the outcome of this situation.
 
I'm gonna call them tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully they understand. I'm only 20 years old, working a full time night job as a bread baker.
 
Check your jury summons form.

There should be an option on it for postponement, especially if work-related, but you would have had to respond to it before your first day of the summons. That is how it is here in CA (I just got called for it). If you are working graveyard shift, that is grounds for you to postpone it until you are available to serve on it.

But like the others said, do it, an do it FAST.

BL.
 
They'll probably be reasonable. It also depends how it works in your county. In my county you are supposed to call each of three nights to see if you are needed for service the following day. I remembered to call the first two nights, but not the last night. Fortunately, I wasn't needed! Hope you fair similarly well.
 
I just got some jury duty papers in the mail today.. WTF.. first time for me.. gonna get out ot it though.. Student!! :)
 
mrsir2009 said:
Wow, are they serious about jail? I mean, is it worth all the bother to chuck someone in prison for only ten days...?
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Yes. Pour encourager les autres.

OP, prepare to grovel. Missing jury duty can be a huge deal - but hopefully you'll have a good reason for being missing, and they'll see you're repentant and such - and the judge isn't pissy that day.

Don't blow it off - contempt of court could come into play, with a warrant for your arrest and the whole 9 yards. Get it addressed straight away - it won't go away and will get worse the longer you wait.
 
Some judges will not hesitate to jail anyone who fails to report for jury duty. The last time I got called to jury duty, the judge made a 20 minute speech that was designed "to put the fear of god" into anyone who might dare be thinking of skipping out on their "civic duty" under his watch.

Maybe some court systems are more understanding that others, but... I would suggest that you to go into court ASAP, looking as young, innocent, meek, and scared as possible and ask for mercy. Don't lie. Tell the truth. Most judges can read people very well. Having an overall deer-in-headlights look might help...
 
Call the courthouse and explain what happened. You may have to appear in front of a judge to explain yourself but I doubt you will see the inside of a jail cell simply for missing jury duty.
 
Instead of panicking, first find out if you were actually summoned that day. The only way you can know this is if you remembered to check the website or call the number before 5pm the day of your summons (after 5 it switches to the people who have to go in the next day).

If you didn't bother to find this out, then the chances that you were summoned to court will vary greatly from county to county. Most out here in California tend to "over summon" which means that the odds that you have to actually go in are very slim (to date I've never had to go in despite getting a summons once per year).
 
Illuminated said:
So I work a night job, and I had jury duty this past Monday. I worked Sunday night, and I sleep through the morning and into the afternoon. Completely forgetting I had jury duty that day. I took out the paper they sent me, and it said that if I fail to report to jury duty, I will either get fined $500, or get imprisoned for 10 days, or both.

First of all, I'm not a criminal. I wouldn't last 10 minutes in jail, let alone 10 days. And I'm not able to pay 500 bucks out of my pocket. I've got my car insurance to pay for, and my health insurance to pay for. $500 bucks is not in my plan.

What usually happens to most people if they forget to show up?
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i am not sure if working through the night isn't a good ecuse , after all whats the point of a jury who sleep in court and then shout "quilty" ...only to get home to their bed quickly
 
I'm calling today. But I tried to call when I first got the paper in the mail, and it told me to fax a letter 14 days before the scheduled jury duty. I don't have a fax machine, and I have no idea where to find a fax machine. I couldn't do anything. When I tried to call, it was an automated message with no option of speaking to someone.
 
Illuminated said:
I'm calling today. But I tried to call when I first got the paper in the mail, and it told me to fax a letter 14 days before the scheduled jury duty. I don't have a fax machine, and I have no idea where to find a fax machine. I couldn't do anything. When I tried to call, it was an automated message with no option of speaking to someone.
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Take some personal responsibility. You don't know where to find a fax machine. :rolleyes:
 
An employer is required to permit you to take off for jury duty. The correct action would have been to take off for jury duty the night before to be rested that morning or make arrangements before hand.
 
I called earlier. Luckily I didn't have to go in at all. nothing bad will happen.


And for the record, I never in my life used a fax machine. I have no idea how to fax a damn thing. Why can't everyone email?
 
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