As a citizen of the United States‚ you have the right and the duty to participate in the justice system by serving on a jury. But what happens if you don’t go to jury duty in New York?
Summons for Jury Duty
In New York‚ you may receive a summons for jury duty if you are 18 years or older‚ a United States citizen‚ and a resident of the county where you received the summons. The summons will include the date and time you are required to report for jury duty‚ as well as the courthouse location.
Excused Absences
There are some circumstances under which you may be excused from jury duty. These include:
- Physical or Mental Disability: If you have a physical or mental condition that would prevent you from serving on a jury‚ you may be excused. You may be required to provide a doctor’s note or other documentation to support your request for an excuse.
- Extreme Hardship: If serving on a jury would cause you extreme hardship‚ you may be excused. Examples of extreme hardship may include being the sole caregiver for a disabled family member or having a previously scheduled vacation or business trip that cannot be rescheduled. You will need to provide supporting documentation for your request for an excuse.
- Prior Jury Service: If you have served on a jury within the past two years‚ you may be excused from serving again. You will need to provide proof of your previous jury service.
If you wish to request an excuse from jury duty‚ you should do so as soon as possible. You can request an excuse by contacting the jury commissioner’s office or by following the instructions on your summons.
Failing to Appear for Jury Duty
If you fail to appear for jury duty without a valid excuse‚ you may be subject to fines and other penalties. Here are some potential consequences of failing to appear for jury duty in New York:
- Contempt of Court: If you fail to appear for jury duty‚ you may be found in contempt of court. This means that you have disrespected the authority of the court and violated a court order. Contempt of court is punishable by a fine‚ imprisonment‚ or both.
- Fines: If you are found in contempt of court for failing to appear for jury duty‚ you may be required to pay a fine. The amount of the fine will depend on the circumstances of your case and the discretion of the judge.
- Warrant for Arrest: If you fail to appear for jury duty and do not respond to a court order to do so‚ the court may issue a warrant for your arrest. This means that law enforcement may be authorized to take you into custody and bring you to court to explain your absence and face any consequences for failing to appear for jury duty.
- Imprisonment: In extreme cases‚ the court may order imprisonment for failing to appear for jury duty. This is generally only ordered if you are found in contempt of court and have refused to pay a fine or comply with other court orders.
It’s important to note that the consequences of failing to appear for jury duty can vary depending on the circumstances of your case and the discretion of the judge. It’s always best to contact the jury commissioner’s office if you are unable to serve on a jury and request an excuse or postponement‚ rather than simply failing to appear.
