what happens if you dont show up for jury duty

If you dont show up for jury duty, you may face penalties such as fines, jail time, or having a criminal record showing the conviction for contempt of court. The specific penalties may vary depending on the state and the court. In California, for example, if no response is made to the notice, the court can impose a fine and issue an order to show cause. This order demands that the juror explain why they failed to appear for jury duty. Most jurors who miss jury duty will receive a second summons, which will likely include a warning that missing jury duty can be penalized with a fine. If you believe you have a valid excuse for missing jury duty, you can write your reason on the jury summons and mail it back to the court. Even without a legal excuse, you can request a postponement of your jury duty. However, ignoring a jury summons can be treated as contempt of court, which is a criminal offense in California. If you fail to respond to the summons or show up for jury duty, you could be held in contempt of court, and a judge may order you to appear at a hearing and explain your absence. You could be fined, incarcerated, or both.