What Happens If You Don't Show Up for Jury Duty?

Ads, flyers, magazine renewal notices, and even your neighbor's junk mail – one is seldom enthusiastic about checking what's inside a mailbox. It is especially true if you live in the U.S. and receive an envelope from the court summoning you for jury duty. This may raise the question, can you not go to jury duty?

If you want to skip it, you'll have to check the local court rules to determine how to excuse yourself and the consequences. You might get the chance to postpone it once and be assigned a new date, but if you continue putting it off, you risk hefty fines or even jail time. 

Before figuring out what happens when you don't show up for jury duty, let's clear any confusion about what jury duty is, who should serve on a jury, and whether you're really required by the law to show up.

The jury is a vital part of the American legal system. Chosen by the lawyers and the judge, a jury usually consists of twelve people representing a cross-section of the community. As an eligible citizen, you might be wondering, can I not go to jury duty? The jury hears testimony and weighs the evidence to decide whether a defendant is "guilty" (criminal cases) or "liable" (civil cases). Jury duty is a citizen's obligation to appear before the court and participate in jury selection. It's one of the ways a member of the public can actively participate in the judicial process. One can consider it their civic responsibility and honor to serve as a juror in court proceedings.

The process begins with a random selection of qualified participants from the electoral register. If you received a jury summons in the mail, you should respond within seven days to confirm your attendance, request a postponement of the court date, or provide a valid excuse not to appear. You may think about not appearing, but it's important to ask what happens when you don't go to jury duty.  

Receiving a jury summons can initially seem like a time-consuming inconvenience, jumpstarting your mind to rattle off a list of excuses to avoid your civic duty. Pursuing these excuses to not go to jury duty can lead to some serious questions about legal responsibilities and consequences.

If you look at it from a different perspective, it can be a great opportunity to learn more about the justice system and participate in the intricate process of balancing the equities. In either case, intentionally ignoring a jury summons or unintentionally disregarding it can lead to stiff consequences.

Although only a small fraction of cases go to trial, those that do rely on the jury's ability to render a fair and objective decision. The jury will be presented with facts about the case, various types of evidence, and arguments from both sides. In the end, the jury should unanimously (unless instructed otherwise) reach a decision that is fair and equitable.

Without responsible citizens carrying out their civic duties, such as jury service, the legal system could come to a standstill. Therefore, it's crucial to know what happens if you fail to go to jury duty.

While the rules may vary slightly across the U.S. states, you can become a part of the list of potential jurors in your county of residence. More specifically, if you meet the criteria below, you may be summoned for jury service once a year or once every several years:

It should be noted, however, that while a felon loses his right to serve on a jury, this right can be restored seven years after the conviction, depending on the state.

Being eligible to serve on a jury also does not necessarily lead to a jury summons. As noted earlier, jury selection begins as a random name-selection process; some names may never be selected. Many people can go a lifetime without being called for jury duty.

Do you have to show up for jury duty? If this question haunts your mind, the short answer is yes. Jury duty is a civic function that safeguards one of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the United States: the right to a speedy trial and an impartial jury. This fundamental right should be protected and carried out by all eligible members of society whenever possible.

So, what are the consequences of not going to jury duty? Ignoring the first summons might postpone your obligation until a second one is issued. Continuing down this road of indifference may lead to the court finding you in contempt. You might be wondering, what if I dont show up for jury duty? Well, contempt of court is a willful action disobeying a court order and is considered a crime. While the judge may show some sympathy for the first offense and issue only a warning, more severe penalties can be imposed for subsequent violations.

Failing to show up for jury duty indeed has consequences. Therefore, if you skipped out on your jury duty (or are about to do so), remember that you may have to appear at an order to show cause at a court hearing and state your reasons for not being present. The judge could issue a warning, court-ordered community service, a fine, or even a short prison sentence for contempt.

Do you really get fined for not going to jury duty? The judge then has the right to issue an arrest warrant. Probably, you don't want it, and it's a good idea not to let things escalate this far. If you do find yourself in contempt of court, these are the penalties you might face:

Also, stretching the truth to get out of jury duty may lead to prosecution for perjury –– a felony, which may lead to an additional prison sentence and a fine of up to $1,000. If you are still wondering what will happen if you miss jury duty, it may be wise to consult a criminal defense attorney and seek formal legal advice.

What if you skip jury duty for a justifiable reason? In this case, you can provide your excuse on the jury summons and send it back to the court. Should you not have a legal excuse, you can still postpone your jury duty to a time that works better for you.

Those who are legally exempt can still voluntarily respond for jury duty, but this is not required by the law. While the excuses to be exempt from service vary from state to state, these are the most common ones:

Reasons such as a personal vacation (no matter how perfectly planned), deadlines at work, or fear of losing your job aren't valid excuses. Many might even wonder, what happens if you dont show up for jury duty? These may be reasons to postpone and reschedule your jury service. Not showing up for jury duty unexcused may lead to penalties or fines. So whether you fall within one of the recognized excuses for a jury duty exemption or need to reschedule the date based on your circumstances, respond to the summons promptly and present your reasons properly. It's crucial to take jury duty seriously and not disregard the summons.

So, what happens if you don't respond to jury duty? It's up to you to decide how to respond to a jury summons. If you disregard it, you might get away with it for some time. Sooner or later, however, the law will catch up to you, and you may face severe consequences, such as a hefty fine, prison time, or both.

So, it's in your best interest to comply with your civic duty and appear for jury service, request a postponement, or provide a valid excuse to exempt yourself from service. In the end, serving on a jury may become a rewarding experience and help you gain a deeper understanding of how the legal process works to protect us all.