What if i ignore a jury summons

If the State of California has charged you with contempt of court or any other criminal charge, let us know the details so that we can help.

Call the Law Offices of Kerry L. Armstrong, APLC , at or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. A California criminal prosecution is adversarial to the core—in other words, it is a war. We know how to fight for you. Attorney Kerry Armstrong opened up his law firm in June Kerry L. Between — , Mr. Contents hide. Your Obligations. Legal Excuses for Skipping Jury Duty. What kinds of criminal cases does your firm handle? Some states have much harsher penalties for missing jury duty.

The second, and perhaps more important, factor is the judge before whom you appear. Ultimately, judges have discretion on how to handle someone who misses jury duty. Ranked from least serious to most serious, below is a list of things that can happen when you skip jury duty:. Nothing at all. This is perhaps the most common outcome when someone forgets about jury duty or intentionally ignores a jury summons.

You may be summoned again quickly. Each state has varying rules on how often someone is legally obligated to serve on a jury. The judge may issue an order to show cause. An order to show cause is a legal order requiring someone to appear in court and explain why they did or did not do something. If you miss jury duty, a court can issue such an order, requiring you to appear and provide your reason for missing jury duty. If you receive an order to show cause, you may want to meet with a qualified criminal defense attorney for legal advice and help in preparing for the hearing.

The court may issue a bench warrant. If a bench warrant is issued, a police officer or other law enforcement officer will visit the address the court has on file. If they find you, they can put you in custody and escort you to court. Examples of reasons for excusal from jury duty include:.

You may also have a valid excuse from service on a jury if your doctor signs an affidavit stating that you cannot serve on a jury because of a medical condition.

Also, if you are mentally or physically disabled, you may be exempt from jury duty. An exemption from jury duty exists for military men and women during active service dates. In some cases, a judge may postpone your jury duty instead of excusing you from jury duty. A judge might also postpone jury duty if you have a valid reason for requesting a deferment to another session of court.

In most cases, a judge only grants one deferment or postponement per juror. Each court may have various rules and procedures for jurors. For instance, most courts have rules regarding electronic devices, parking, and attire. It is wise to check with the Clerk of Court for the court in which you are to serve as a juror if you have questions about jury duty. It is better to ask questions before the deadline to report for jury duty than to be in contempt of a court issued summons for jury duty.

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