What happens if you miss jury duty?

If someone misses jury duty, the person could face an arrest warrant, fines or jail time. Those who miss jury duty should call the Office of the Jury Commissioner to have the date rescheduled and avoid penalties.

Jury duty is considered a mandatory civic duty for anyone who is summoned. Judges can issue letters to anyone who has missed the assigned jury duty date. Fines can range from $100 up into the thousands. For example, those who miss jury duty in Massachusetts can be fined up to $2,000. Judges can also rule that the person is in contempt of court, because the court system has been hindered by the missed jury date. This can result in jail time, ranging from a few days to a few months.