Ever Been Penalized For Non-Attendance/Jury Duty

[Abraham]

I've never failed to attend when called upon to serve jury duty, but one acquaintance recently related her attendance as rather willy-nilly. The times she simply ignored the summons there was nothing further to it. I was shocked.

That being said, I wonder if punishment for non-attendance is meted out - The threat of such is there, it says so on the summons, but I know of no one who's ever confessed they were fined or otherwise punished for not attending jury duty.

So, I wonder have any of you been penalized for this offense or know anyone who has?

Thanks!

[USA1]

how can they prove you ever received the notice/summons ?

[trdvet]

how can they prove you ever received the notice/summons ?

The state doesn't care that it is not certified, they will send it regular mail. It goes to your last known address and that is good enough for them.

[Abraham]

About every two/three months, I get someone else's mail or netflix movie.

Sometimes the house number on the address is the same as mine, but posted with a completely different street. Often though, there's no rhyme or reason with the address. I get someone else's mail with the only correct part of the address being the city.

So, with this as my experience, certainly it happens just as randomly and often to others - the powers that be hope you get your jury summons and if not, no worries, penalties notwithstanding.

They know how the mail system works or more correctly, often doesn't.

I guess...?

My question regarding punishment for jury non-attendance apparently has been answered by virtue of no one fessing up.

There isn't any, as they can't prove you ever received the summons.

Or, am I wrong?

Anyone?

[seamusTX]

Ask this guy, held in jail for 83 days after failing to appear for jury duty:

http://jonathanturley.org/2009/05/10/te ... jury-duty/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My understanding is that if you don't receive the summons, or ignore it, they ask you to show up another time. If you blow that one off, a warrant issued. Then the next time the police stop you for a suspected traffic violation or you are caught in a drug sweep, you get a ride.

Whether or not the state can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you intentionally committed an offense, it's going to cost you time and money.

- Jim

[juggernaut]

It's probably easy for the court clerks to put the failure to appear warrant in the computer and let the police sort it out on your next traffic stop, or whenever they run wants and warrants on you.

[dsim]

I had Jury Duty earlier this year (Jan. 20), they summoned 75 people and only 20 showed up. One guy frankly asked the judge, "Whats going to happen to the 55 people that didnt show up?" The judges answer... nothing. They were going to be put back in the pool of potential jury duty servers. Needless to say none of us were impressed by that. This was in Hunt County.

[Abraham]

seamusTX ,

Yikes!

I've been to jury duty many times and have never been picked.

Some day, I hope to get on and experience the process of a brief trial and without being sequestered...

[PUCKER]

I've been called a few times in Fort Worth (Tarrant County) and served once, along with being called / served in Grapevine. I distinctly remember a few times in Fort Worth where the judge, or at least someone with authority (it was early, wasn't firing on all cylinders yet), after roll call, said to the baliff "issue warrants for them..." (or something to that effect). Whether or not warrants were issued I don't know, but that definitely sent a message to those that DID attend. The one case that I was selected for was over and done in the same day, right at 5 pm.

[jbirds1210]

I hear alot of jokes about being judged by 12 people too stupid to get out of jury duty...I disagree. I really feel that it is a privilege.

Can you ignore it? I definitely believe that you can in Galveston County and will likely never be punished for it. Just hope that someone who takes it seriously shows up on your day in court

I would want someone like me on my jury.

Jason

[Keith B]

Not sure about Texas, but my Father-In-Law lives in Missouri. A few years ago he received a jury summons and called down to get excused from appearing due to owning his own business and loss of income by having to serve. The court clerk approved him being excused over the phone, but apparently failed to mark him off the candidates list. When he didn't show for jury selection the morning he was originally scheduled, they were ready to issue a warrant for failure to appear. Luckily my Brother-In-Law (other side of family) was Police Chief and happened to be there to testify on a case. He contacted my FIL and once it was explained to him, he went back and asked the court clerk. She then remembered he had called and she had excused him.

[frazzled]

I don't know of anyone that actually goes any more. I haven't received one in years.

[Keith B]

I don't know of anyone that actually goes any more.

Well, I just went about a month ago. I agree with Jbirds; it is your civic duty to at least appear for the selection process and make a conscience effort be willing to serve if you are called. The only excuses would be if there were mitigating circumstances why you can't (unsupervised children, loss of income, physical health, etc.)

[03Lightningrocks]

I get one every couple years and go down and do my bit. I don't find it enjoyable in the least but I feel somewhat obligated to go if they summon me. A few years back I received a "second summons" for jury duty. Apparently the first one got lost in the mail or maybe I lost it...I know it was not intentional. They gave me a second chance to appear and included a letter warning me that I could be arrested for ignoring this one.

I received one for traffic court and almost had to serve. The moron who was trying to fight the ticket changed his mind at the last minute and pleaded guilty. I would have given him the death penalty if he had made me sit through a trial over a ticket rather than just do like everyone else and take defensive driving.


OH...and PS... Loss of income or owning a business won't get you out in Collin county. Neither will going on vacation or my dog is sick. You can however talk them into a reschedule if your date to appear is interfering in previously scheduled engagements that take you out of town. I had this one happen to me. They just rescheduled my date for a few weeks later.

[frazzled]

I don't know of anyone that actually goes any more.

Well, I just went about a month ago. I agree with Jbirds; it is your civic duty to at least appear for the selection process and make a conscience effort be willing to serve if you are called. The only excuses would be if there were mitigating circumstances why you can't (unsupervised children, loss of income, physical health, etc.)

Understood. However in my profession no one is picked to actually serve.