Any person who has been arrested and charged with a crime more often than not has a right to a trial past jury. In order to ensure that people charged with crimes (the defendants) are able to have their case reviewed in courtroom properly, citizens may be obligated to serve on a jury. In about jurisdictions, citizens may be obligated to serve on a jury once a year.

This doesn't always mean that they will be chosen to the jury or seated each year. It simply means that y'all do have an obligation to testify upwardly to court in the issue that you are called or "summoned". The person will unremarkably be summoned to a court nearby their place of residence.

When a person is summoned to serve on a jury, this is called "jury duty". The jury is a trunk of citizens (normally 12 people) who are responsible for listening to the case. They will help to make up one's mind the guilt or liability of a accused. Jury duty is mandatory, unless the juror is excused from serving on the jury by the courtroom due to a valid reason or if their services are non needed.

Contents

  1. How Tin a Juror Miss Jury Duty?
  2. What are Some Valid Reasons for Missing Jury Duty?
  3. What Happens If I Miss Jury Duty?
  4. Should I Contact a Lawyer if I Miss Jury Duty?

How Tin can a Juror Miss Jury Duty?

If a person is called for jury duty, they have a duty to report to the court at the time and place indicated in the jury summons, which is sent in the mail. An individual can miss jury duty in two general ways:

  • Failing to Answer to a Jury Summons: You must usually telephone call the courtroom when you receive the summons to confirm whether you demand to prove up. The call is usually made the day or night before the engagement of jury duty. Sometimes you may make the call and learn that yous aren't required to show up at the court the side by side mean solar day after all.
  • Failing to Show Upwards for Jury Duty: A person may respond to the jury duty summons, but still fail to bear witness up the post-obit morning to study at the court.

Both of these are considered violations and may consequence in serious consequences for the person being summoned. Thus, a person should practice their all-time to both reply to the jury summons as presently as possible, as well as bear witness up to court the next day if they are required to exercise so.

What are Some Valid Reasons for Missing Jury Duty?

Of course, people may take many events, happenings, and fifty-fifty emergencies occurring in their lives at the time they are summoned for jury duty. Courts and judges understand this perfectly, and in that location are several valid reasons for which a person may be excused from serving on jury duty.

Some valid reasons for missing jury duty may include:

  • Medical reasons or emergencies;
  • Undue hardship;
  • Public necessity;
  • Dependent intendance (y'all need to care for a dependent);
  • Student status;
  • Financial or employment hardship;
  • Military machine status (similar on deployment);
  • Deceased; and/or
  • Any other reason deemed acceptable past the court.

If a person is going to miss jury duty on account of these reasons, they must usually make a request with the court. Instructions for doing so are typically included in the original jury duty summons letter. When making the asking, the person may be asked to provide proof of the circumstances.

For case, if a person is going to miss jury duty on account of a medical condition, they may demand to provide a letter of the alphabet of proof or support from their dr.. If they take a financial hardship or a condition with their employment that won't permit them attend jury duty, they will probable need to submit a letter from their employer providing the reasons why.

Note that some requests may exist denied at the discretion of the courtroom. This all depends on the exact circumstances of the request. While the person might feel like they should be excused from jury duty, like missing the birth of their first grandchild, it is not considered a valid reason and the courtroom can ignore their request.

What Happens If I Miss Jury Duty?

Missing jury duty can result in various consequences or punishments. The verbal consequences for missing jury duty depends on whether a judge finds yous in contempt of court. Antipathy of court occurs if a person defies, disrespects, or impedes the court's authorisation or ability to perform its duties. Contempt can exist criminal or ceremonious. Missing jury duty is generally classified every bit civil contempt.

Penalties for missing jury duty tin can result in contempt of court, which may be punishable by:

  • Fines (sometimes up to $1,000) and/or
  • Jail fourth dimension (commonly up to 5 days maximum).

These punishments may vary and volition depend on state and local laws, as well as the nature of the way the person missed jury duty. For instance, if the person intentionally deceived the court in order to miss jury duty, penalties might be greater.

Should I Contact a Lawyer if I Miss Jury Duty?

Missing jury duty is a serious violation, and as mentioned, you can face major penalties for missing jury duty. If you miss jury duty, you volition want to consult a criminal lawyer . Your lawyer may help you avert whatsoever of the consequences of missing jury duty.