What Happens If I Miss Jury Duty and What Should You Do Immediately?

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What Happens If I Miss Jury Duty and What Should You Do Immediately?

November 28, 2025
Entertainment

Jury duty is a civic responsibility that comes with legal obligations. However, life happens, and sometimes people miss their scheduled jury duty. Whether you forgot, were sick, or simply misunderstood the summons, it’s important to understand what happens if you miss jury duty, the potential consequences, and the steps you can take to rectify the situation. This guide covers all scenarios, including state-specific rules in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and beyond.

Table of Contents

What Does It Mean to Miss Jury Duty?

Missing jury duty occurs when a person fails to appear on the date and time listed in their jury summons without notifying the court in advance. This could include:

Failing to show up on the assigned day
Ignoring the summons entirely
Forgetting to call in or check online for your reporting schedule

Even missing one day can trigger consequences, so it’s essential to take immediate action.

Legal Consequences of Missing Jury Duty

The exact consequences vary by state, but missing jury duty can result in:

Fines

Most states impose monetary fines for failing to appear.
Amounts can range from $50 to $500 or more, depending on the jurisdiction.

Contempt of Court

Courts may hold you in contempt, which is a legal finding for disobeying court orders.
Penalties can include additional fines or, in rare cases, short-term jail time.

Bench Warrants

Some states, such as California and Texas, may issue a bench warrant for repeated failure to appear.
This can result in law enforcement taking action if you are stopped for another reason.

Rescheduling Requirements

Courts may require you to reschedule your jury duty, often on a stricter timeline.
Repeated failure could escalate penalties.

What Happens If You Accidentally Miss Jury Duty?

If you accidentally miss your jury duty, most courts are understanding if you act quickly. Steps include:

Contacting the court immediately to explain the situation
Requesting to reschedule your service
Providing a valid reason for missing your original date

Accidental misses are usually forgiven, but failure to communicate can result in fines or legal consequences.

State-Specific Rules and Examples

California

Failing to appear can lead to a $1,500 fine or other penalties.
Courts usually allow a grace period to reschedule if you call immediately.

Texas

Missing jury duty may result in fines up to $500.
Judges may require you to appear in court to explain the absence.

Florida

First-time offenders are often asked to reschedule.
Repeated failure can lead to contempt charges or fines.

New York

Missing jury duty can result in a mandatory court appearance.
Fines vary, and repeated misses may escalate to more serious penalties.

Other States

Rules in Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, and others are generally similar, emphasizing rescheduling and fines.
Federal jury duty has separate rules, often including formal warnings and possible federal penalties.

What Happens If You Miss Jury Duty Twice?

Courts treat repeated failure seriously.
Repeat offenders may face heavier fines, mandatory court appearances, or even bench warrants.
Some states allow judges to consider mitigating circumstances, but repeated neglect is not taken lightly.

How to Avoid Missing Jury Duty

Mark Your Calendar

Record the date, time, and location from your jury summons.
Set reminders on your phone or email.

Call or Check Online

Many courts allow you to verify your reporting status online.
Confirming a few days in advance reduces accidental misses.

Request Deferral If Needed

If you cannot attend on your assigned date, request a deferral or postponement.
Courts often grant one-time deferrals for valid reasons.

Steps to Take If You Missed Jury Duty

If you’ve missed jury duty, here’s what to do:

Contact the court immediately – Explain why you missed your appearance.
Request rescheduling – Most courts allow a new date for first-time offenses.
Document your communication – Keep proof of phone calls, emails, or letters.
Attend your new date – Make sure to appear promptly to avoid further penalties.
Pay any fines if required – Some courts may assess a nominal fee.

Acting promptly often mitigates most consequences.

Common Questions About Missing Jury Duty

What happens if I miss a jury duty summons?

The court may send a second notice, fines, or a court appearance notice.

Can I be arrested for missing jury duty?

In rare cases, repeated noncompliance can lead to bench warrants, but this is uncommon for first-time accidental misses.

Can missing jury duty affect my job?

Employers generally cannot penalize employees for attending jury duty.
However, if you ignore court instructions, it may indirectly affect employment if legal action ensues.

How long do I have to respond if I miss jury duty?

The sooner you respond, the better. Most courts allow a window of a few days to a few weeks to resolve the issue. Understand legal procedures with political workplace roles explained in What Does a Chief of Staff Do and cultural considerations explored in What Is the Legal Drinking Age in Japan.

Rescheduling Jury Duty

If you miss your date, courts typically allow rescheduling. Tips include:

Request online or via phone
Explain why you missed the initial date
Be honest and provide supporting documentation if necessary
Avoid missing the new date

Some states require a formal court appearance to explain the absence before rescheduling.

How to Handle Jury Duty in Different Cities

Many cities have local nuances:

Los Angeles, CA: Large courts with online portals; rescheduling is straightforward if you act quickly.
San Francisco, CA: First-time misses are often forgiven after contacting the court.
Denver, CO: Courts may require proof of a legitimate excuse.
Houston, TX: Repeat offenders may face fines or mandatory appearance in front of a judge.

Always check your local court website for city-specific rules.

Tips to Avoid Future Misses

Keep a dedicated calendar for civic duties
Subscribe to court notifications if offered
Maintain current mailing address to receive summons
Set multiple reminders (phone, email, physical calendar)
Ask your employer for time-off confirmation if needed

Being proactive ensures you won’t accidentally miss jury duty again.

Jury Duty Myths

Myth 1: You can ignore jury duty without consequence

Fact: Ignoring jury duty can result in fines or legal penalties.

Myth 2: Missing jury duty once is harmless

Fact: Courts usually forgive first-time accidental misses, but repeated offenses are taken seriously.

Myth 3: Employers can fire you for attending jury duty

Fact: Federal and state laws protect employees from termination due to jury duty attendance.

Summary

Missing jury duty is not a trivial matter, but the severity depends on how you respond. First-time or accidental misses are often handled with leniency if you contact the court and reschedule promptly. Ignoring the summons repeatedly, however, can lead to fines, legal consequences, and even bench warrants.

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