Serving on a jury when called upon is a civic duty and legal obligation for all eligible citizens in the United States. However, many people attempt to get out of jury duty for various reasons, whether due to busy schedules, lack of interest, or simply forgetting they were called. But what are the consequences if you fail to show up for jury duty in San Francisco?
In San Francisco county, residents are selected at random from voter registration and DMV records to serve on a jury. If summoned for jury service, you are legally required to report for duty or face potential penalties. While every jurisdiction has its own rules and procedures, there are some common outcomes of failing to appear for jury duty in San Francisco.
Receiving a Failure to Appear Notice
If you do not report for jury duty on your scheduled date, the court will send you a failure to appear notice. This is your first warning that you did not comply with your summons. The notice will provide a new date for you to report and explain that further failure to appear can lead to additional consequences.
Some legitimate reasons for missing jury duty include medical emergencies, military service, or being out of the county during your service dates. However, you must request an excuse and get approval from the court ahead of time. If you receive a failure to appear notice, contact the jury commissioner right away to explain your absence and request a new date or permanent excuse.
Monetary Fines
If you disregard the first failure to appear notice, the court can impose civil fines. In San Francisco, the first penalty for skipping jury duty is $250. Fines increase to $500 for the second incident and $1,000 for any subsequent failures to report.
While costly, monetary sanctions are intended to get your attention and encourage compliance, not bankrupt you. In most cases, judges will waive fines if you make an effort to fulfill your civic duty by reporting for a new jury date. However, repeated absences indicate defiance could result in accrued fines.
Contempt of Court Charges
Prolonged failure to report for jury service may rise to the level of criminal contempt of court charges. Contempt alleges you deliberately defied a court order. This misdemeanor charge carries maximum penalties of a $1,000 fine and up to 6 months jail time.
Contempt is rare, as the court wants compliance, not incarceration. But contempt demonstrates how seriously the justice system takes jury duty obligations. Charges are more likely if you’ve accumulated multiple absences and fines without making any effort to explain your situation or request a new date.
Arrest Warrant
The most severe consequence of ignoring a jury summons is an arrest warrant. If you’ve racked up multiple unexcused absences and ignored all notices and fines, a judge may issue a warrant. Police can arrest you anywhere in the state and haul you into court to answer for your failure to appear.
Again, this last resort measure is primarily used to compel your presence in court, not pre-convict you of a crime. If detained on a warrant, you would be brought before the judge and jury commissioner to discuss your situation. Compliance at that point would likely result in the warrant being dropped.
Ineligible for Government Benefits
A lesser known repercussion is that those who evade jury duty can be barred from a wide range of government benefits and services. These can include:
- Unemployment benefits
- Federal student loans and grants
- Business licenses and permits
- Medicaid and other public assistance
- Driver’s licenses and ID cards
By linking jury duty to eligibility for public programs, California hopes to boost compliance from all segments of the population. This includes those who may not be swayed by fines alone.
Long-Term Jury Exclusion
In egregious cases of evading jury service, you could face permanent exclusion from juries. State law gives courts authority to dismiss irresponsible prospective jurors. Those with multiple unexcused absences and willful noncompliance may find themselves barred from the jury pool for life.
Few situations call for such an extreme measure. Yet it remains a possibility for those who have proven time and again that they reject their civic responsibilities. Depending on the case, permanent jury exclusion may also be grounds for appealing a conviction due to an unrepresentative jury pool.
Impacts on Your Reputation
Beyond formal repercussions, skipping jury duty can also negatively impact your reputation and integrity. Employers often enable employees to miss work and continue earning pay while serving jury duty. Failing to show up after claiming jury duty can damage trust and credibility.
Government agencies, elected officials, community organizations and other entities expect good citizenship. When you shun a key civic duty like jury service, it reflects poorly on your character. In positions of responsibility, it may call into question your judgment and commitment.
Conclusion
San Francisco residents have a responsibility to appear when called for jury selection. There are valid reasons for postponement or excusal in some cases. However, repeated and unexplained absence will trigger escalating legal consequences. Fines, charges, warrants and other penalties are reserved for those who deliberately ignore court orders.
The impacts on government benefits, reputation, and justice system participation underscore how seriously jury duty is taken. For the vast majority who comply, short-term jury service is an inconvenience but critical process. Only those who defiantly shirk their civic obligations will face punitive measures for failure to appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after missing jury duty would I receive a notice or fine?
The court will mail you a failure to appear notice and new jury date fairly quickly, usually within a few weeks. Monetary fines take longer to process and are only issued if you miss the new date. Contempt charges and warrants can take months and indicate prolonged noncompliance.
What if I temporarily moved out of San Francisco county?
You must notify the jury commissioner each time you move, even temporarily. Out of county residents can be excused or defer service until after your return. Failing to update your address is not an excuse for missing jury duty.
Can my employer fire me for missing work due to jury duty?
No, state law prohibits employers from firing or retaliating against employees for complying with jury summons. However, you must provide advance notice and might lose pay for hours missed unless the company has a compensation policy.
What if I never received my initial jury duty notice?
The court will typically send notices by mail several weeks in advance. Claiming you never received the summons is generally not a sufficient legal excuse. You are still obligated to comply once you receive any failure to appear notices.
How can I reschedule my jury service date if I have a conflict?
You can postpone jury duty one time if you contact the jury office in advance. For recurring conflicts, submit a written request to be excused or defer service to a later date. Supporting documentation may be required.
Is jury duty really that important or can I keep putting it off?
Yes, jury duty is critical for the justice system and democracy. You are only asked to serve very infrequently. Postponing should be a last resort, not your default response to a summons. Repeatedly evading service can lead to sanctions.
Number of Missed Jury Appearances | Potential Consequences |
---|---|
1 | Failure to Appear Notice |
2 | $250 Fine |
3 | $500 Fine |
4+ | $1000+ Fines, Contempt Charges, Arrest Warrant |
What should I do if I missed jury duty and a warrant was issued?
Do not ignore a warrant – contact the jury commissioner immediately to arrange your appearance in court. Explain your situation and willingness to serve going forward. Cooperating at this stage may lead to the warrant being recalled.
Is it possible to do jury duty by phone or video instead of in-person?
Some courts expanded remote options during COVID-19 restrictions. However, jurors are generally required to report to the courthouse in person. Temporary exceptions can be made for medical reasons or emergencies.
I’m not a U.S. citizen, do I still have to serve on a jury?
No, federal law specifies that only U.S. citizens can serve on federal juries. Green card holders are also ineligible. San Francisco county may still summon non-citizens, but you can opt out when you report.