What happens if you don't go to jury duty?

[tbgascorer]

I know I should do my civil duty, but it is a pain in the butt. I just went last September. Now I get called again in Harris county. What really happens if I don't go?

[DJM]

It depends.If enough folks don't show up or if your number is called you may get another type of summons.



DJ

[DJM]

It depends.If enough folks don't show up or if your number is called you may get another type of summons.



DJ

But in reality,probably nothing.


DJ

[tbgascorer]

Everyone tells me nothing will happen, but no one knows for sure. Last September when I was called, I skipped out, only to have a second letter come a week thereafter. It had a lot of bold red print on it. I chickened out and went.

[Slingblade]

If you don't show up you will have a to pay the price.( fines and even jail time) Just go and let them know that you have just been on a jury duty list and your work will not let you go on another jury call. They will more than likely let you go.

[Bullydog]

The worst that will happen is the judge will issue a writ of attachment....send a constable or S.O. deputy to your known address and bring you in handcuffs to the court........you can take your chances though.....im sure that would never happen.

I spend about half my life in court, and I still get jury summons every other year or so.

[Chew]

[tbgascorer]

Thanks for the warm and fuzzy feeling Bullydog :-p

[DJM]

Another way to get out of it is show up and tell the court the defendant is guilty of something or he/she wouldn't be here.They'll excuse you pretty quick.


DJ

[Bullydog]

Thanks for the warm and fuzzy feeling Bullydog :-p

LOL.....well it could be worse.....Dang Chew I aint missing any court in Harris County

[Jaspro]

Another way to get out of it is show up and tell the court the defendant is guilty of something or he/she wouldn't be here.They'll excuse you pretty quick.


DJ

Or you can claim to have a relative that is a peace officer, your illiterate, or you can always play the race card. I have yet to have to go to Jury Duty.

[Wudstix]

In San Antonio we have city court, county court, federal court. Each one has their own log and attendance schedule. Usually, you are excempt for two years after you acctually get selected for a jury. Just going and being sent home does not always count. I got tagged three times in one year!!! Gotta love the big city.

[Ricky T]

Some judges send a "show cause" letter out for you to show up and explain the reason you didn't appear or just pay the fifty or hundred dollars. (Depends on the Judge) A lot of courts don't do anything as they're afraid it'll hurt their voting persona.

What gets me about people trying to get out of jury duty, if the shoe were on the other foot and YOU or YOUR CHILDREN ever need a jury of your peers you would want people similarly situated to show up and hear your case.

You can call the court and ask to be "deferred" to another date if the summons date really interferes with your schedule. But, really, the right thing to do is show up. You will definitely learn a thing or two and may discover a friend.

[Archermike2605]

I didn't get anything in the mail about J.D. and the local SO called me at work by lunch and said they were going to have a warrant out for me if I didn't go by the Court House and pay $50

[huntresss]

Jury? We don't need no stinkin' jury!


-Cheryl