Has anyone not shown up for a jury duty summons?

[Jeafl]

I'm just curious. How would they know that you even received it since you don't have to sign for it?

What has your experience with jury duty been?

 

[WhatATreat]

Yup, I showed up twice in 2 different counties. The first time I got chosen to sit on the jury for a civil trial. I thought it was a fun experience, but missed 3 days of pay since I had just started a new job a month before and wasn't eligible for the paid time yet. I'm sure the experience would have been different had I had to go to the criminal court building.

The second time I lucked out. It was right before a holiday weekend and they ended up sending all of us home early and not calling us back.

 

[daisyduck123]

It is assumed that you received it. You are expected to have your correct address on file. If you don't show up, I can almost guarantee that you'll hear from them.

If you're not able to go on the designated date, I would request a postponement/to go later. I've done that twice now & both times I was excused & was summoned a few months later. I made sure I went at those later dates! Both times, I was only asked to be present the first day. I didn't have to return after that.

 

[HelenePA]

My grandmother got one and she didn't show up, ya see she was dead.. anyway she got a paper in the mail threating to send her to jail.. I laughed. I would have given them her new "address"

 

[disneynikon]

If you don't show they will issue a bench warrant and if you get stopped by the police you will be arrested on the spot.

 

[Jeafl]

I plan on going. I was just wondering how they can prove that you actually received it and it wasn't lost in the mail. How can they arrest someone if they truly didn't get it? It just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Planogirl]

I wonder about that too. Our post office is notorious for losing mail. Supposedly the local courts are aware of that and will send a second summons but I'm not sure about that.

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[SpecialK]

My FIL routinely threw away any summons he received for jury duty. Never had any type of repercussion.

 

[beachbunny]

What disneynikon said also applies in my jurisdiction. If you don't show, the judge automatically issues a bench warrant.

 

[JessicaR]

If you throw a few away eventually they come and knock on your door.

 

[christineann]

I wouldn't risk it. Amazingly, I have only been called for jury duty once, right after the birth of my second child. I called the clerk of court's office and was told that I would almost certainly be excused but that I should show up for the jury call. I told her that I was breastfeeding and could not find a sitter so I would have my toddler and newborn with me, and she said, "Excused!!".

 

[Just Jan]

I did almost everything to get out of serving Federal jury duty in Boston with no luck,
So I was the eigth per son called out of the jury pool room of approx 300 people and the fifth to be placed on a trial.

I ended up LOVING it lol. The judge was a bit stunned when one morning I had to tell the person we check in with every morning that I was an aquaintance of one of the witnesses She was stunned and said, "Where do you live?". I was allowed to continue as his input into the trial didn't impact the case too much and the jdge asked If I could remain impartial.

The trial lasted 12 days and we had a very nice group of jururs. (one whom I ran into a few years later at a wedding I was waitressing at. I recognised his voice).
Th week after I started this trial they chose from the same large jury pool a jury to sit on the John Connolly case Really glad I was chosen for the trial that the judge referred to as "The boat, the babes, and the bribes"

 

[DebbieB]

I was called last year. Sat in the criminal court all day, didn't even get picked to be questioned for a jury. Collected my $11 and went home. In PA, it's one day/one trial so if you are not picked the first day, you're done. This was probably my 4th or 5th time, I got picked one time but the case was settled before the trial (civil court). Bring reading material, very boring.

 

[TnTsParty]

My brother in law was sent a notice for jury duty but prior to his scheduled date - May 6- he passed away unexpectedly. My sister called them number and told them he passed away - apparently they require a copy of the death certificate. Not sure if she did anything about it as of yet since she has been dealing with his death and the aftermath of that and she is scheduled for a c-section on Thursday so there have been some more important issues to deal with then jury duty. That would just be a kick in the pants if they issue a bench warrant for him - not like it would matter anyway since unfortunately he won't be coming back.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I am sorry to hear about everything your sister is dealing with. Your family is in my prayers.

 

[TnTsParty]

Thanks - Eeyore. We have been hanging in there as well as we can. I am excited yet nervous for the baby to be here. I am now the one going in the OR with her and to the nursery with the baby. It will be a happy yet sad day.