OOOPPPssss......jury duty

[live4christp1]

So DH got his jury duty notice in the mail a few weeks ago..........the next day DS fell and broke his arm at the wrist. Then two days later DD had to go to the doctors office and tests showed that her white blood cell count was 25,000+ (normal is 4,000-10,000) so shots, more visits, more tests, etc. Then DH had a 3 day drill weekend.....so needless to say it was very stressful and very busy at our house. Well, this weekend while going through the junk mail/magazines that need to be tossed.....guess what I find.....yep.....jury duty. We completely forgot........his missed the date he was supposed to show up.

So what should he do now? Call the clerks office and explain.....or just wait and see if anything comes of it?

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

So DH got his jury duty notice in the mail a few weeks ago..........the next day DS fell and broke his arm at the wrist. Then two days later DD had to go to the doctors office and tests showed that her white blood cell count was 25,000+ (normal is 4,000-10,000) so shots, more visits, more tests, etc. Then DH had a 3 day drill weekend.....so needless to say it was very stressful and very busy at our house. Well, this weekend while going through the junk mail/magazines that need to be tossed.....guess what I find.....yep.....jury duty. We completely forgot........his missed the date he was supposed to show up.

So what should he do now? Call the clerks office and explain.....or just wait and see if anything comes of it?

Have DH call and explain. Tell them that he is willing to do another date. Easier to admit it and "volunteer" for another date than to have the court system track him down.

 

[SC Minnie]

He needs to call ASAP. He is also lucky the sheriff's dept didn't come get him. The first time I was on jury duty a couple of people didn't show up the morning of the first day. The judge sent a sheriffs officer to escort them to the court house. They were there when we got back from lunch. And no, these weren't jurors picked for a case it was just the first morning to check in and all that.

 

[DizBelle]

They don't send jury summonses via certified or registered mail do they? How can they be sure a jury summons actually reached the recipient?

 

[DVC-Don]

Back in 2003 I did a 3 month tour on the county grand jury. The first day the sheriff's office brought in 3 people that did not show that morning.

 

[Sneezie]

I let a jury duty date slip by me once and I called to explain and it turns out the trials for that date had been cancelled. I live in a small town so that happens. I've actually been chosen for jury duty a few times, but have never actually had to come in because we have to call the day before to see if there is going to be a trial, but there hasn't ever been one.

I would definitely call. I'm sure it's not the first time someone has missed their jury duty date and its better to go looking for them than to have them looking for you!

 

[dhcoffey]

They don't send jury summonses via certified or registered mail do they. How can they be sure a jury summons actually reached the recipient?

As long as it doesn't get returned to the clerk's office, it's assumed they got it. Here you're fined $300 if you don't show up without a good reason.

Heather

 

[live4christp1]

Thanks everyone! I'll pass along the suggestion that he needs to call.

 

[live4christp1]

My grandmother had gotten one a few weeks before......she passed away in 1996.......my sister wrote them a letter saying if they could come get her she would be there.......and gave the address to the cemetary and plot #......

 

[cheermom1]

I was called in twice and the first time I made it there and was dismissed due to me knowing the plaintiff and the second I forgot for the same reasons you did. very busy and being a single mom. I just called and let them know and they said they got their jury anyway and according to them I was called too soon after the first so they let it go...it was about a few months in between...I don;t know how this stuff works so all is good

 

[DizBelle]

As long as it doesn't get returned to the clerk's office, it's assumed they got it. Here you're fined $300 if you don't show up without a good reason.

Heather

How can they assume that it reached its intended destination? The mail carrier could have delivered it somewhere else.

 

[cabanafrau]

How can they assume that it reached its intended destination? The mail carrier could have delivered it somewhere else.

I guess the very brave(foolish) could attempt that explanation. I wouldn't do it without an excellent attorney, though.

OP, make sure your DH calls & is absolutely, profusely apologetic. He is very lucky indeed not to have been hauled in front of the judge already. This isn't a situation where he should call when he gets around to it. He needs to make it a priority, like yesterday.

 

[HelenePA]

My grandmother had gotten one a few weeks before......she passed away in 1996.......my sister wrote them a letter saying if they could come get her she would be there.......and gave the address to the cemetary and plot #......

My grandmother also got one after she died.. I called to tell them she was dead and wouldn't be showing up.. a few weeks after her jury date she got a nasty letter in the mail about having a bench warrant issued for her I called to tell them again if they would like to find her I'd tell them where she is buried

 

[dhcoffey]

How can they assume that it reached its intended destination? The mail carrier could have delivered it somewhere else.

I know here, they quit taking that explanation years ago. If it's not returned to the clerk's office as undeliverable, it's assumed it was delivered to them, so tough luck, I guess.

Heather