Can I get away with not going to jury duty?

Question

abc3643 · Accepted Answer

Go to jury duty and for 3 reasons:

1. You get a legitimate day off from work.

2. You get paid for it.

3. Almost certainly, you won't be picked as a juror. (And, if you are randomly picked to be interviewed during the voir dire process, you can always come across as biased and be removed from consideration.)

In 2004, I was summoned for jury duty. I was unemployed at the time so I had nothing better to do. It was great although, for me, it lasted only one morning; it didn't even make it to voir dire but remained in the gallery as a potential alternate. During voir dire, one lawyer said something and, having watched Law & Order countless times, I knew that we were going to have a mistrial. A moment later, the case stopped with the judge having the lawyers in his chambers. I said to the guy next to me, "We're going to go home; this is going to be a mistrial." About 30 minutes later, the judge came out and declared a mistrial and that we could all go home.

Surely · Accepted Answer

Unless you are out of town, hospital or have a vacation planned. You will need to show up for selection and by the questions asked of you. You may be excused.

ArrowheadSW · Answer

Depends where you live. In the area where I live, if someone doesn't show up after being summoned for jury duty, it would be very unlikely that any law enforcement would follow through and penalize them in any way. Personally, I kind of like going because I find the process to be interesting.

In fact, I am on call for jury duty this week! Here, you are on call for it for one week, and they send you a text in the evening to let you know if you should report the next day or not. I did not have to go in today, and I don't have to go in tomorrow either.

exitseven · Answer

I knew a county Sherriff that got me excused one time. He died so the next time I had to go. I told the judge that if the defendant got this far through the system he had to be guilty. I was excused.
I used to sell police equipment and uniforms and I told the judge that I did a lot of business with the department where the arresting officer worked. That got me excused. The last time I got the jury notice and stuck it on my refrigerator so I would not forget it. I forgot about it anyway and did not show up. A whole week went by before I realized it. I just blew it off and I did not hear a peep about it.
I suppose the next time I will really have to show up and I do not have any more goood excuses.

NaultD · Answer

Don't it's important. If you ever feel powerless about our government jury duty is where rubber meets the road giving power to the people.

At the end of the day you are deciding a peer should be apart of our daily society. Do you want some epstein island elitist to deciding what is right and wrong?

Summeroflove · Answer

I mean it depends you may be able to be excused it just depends on the situation. I get that it sucks if you’re a busy person with a lot going on but I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Just don’t get yourself into legal problems.

msc545 · Answer

You can, but talk to them and tell them why - don't just ignore it as that will get you in trouble.

I once very truthfully told them that I had no way to get there or back, and that I had no money for a bus or cab, but that I would go if they paid for it. Never have heard from them again.

overlord337645 · Answer

you can be arrested and charged for not going to jury duty unless you have a real reason and no i dont mean you foot was hurting or you had a doctors visit

ChicoFromThe305 · Answer

Nope I don't think so, you got jury duty? That sucks 😂

Twalli · Answer

Not without a valid reason. I was hospitalized the first time. Then I wasn't picked the second time. Then I got a medical exemption for all future calls.

Dargil · Answer

I don't want to advise against performing a civic duty.

Intheclouds00 · Answer

You can get away with anything you want if you're smart enough

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

Say Trump just nominated you to be in his cabinet !!!

summerallthetime · Answer

In Canada at least the only reason for not completing jury duty would be

Tstrbrainer · Answer

Just say you are not interested. Isn't that enough?

Anonymous · Answer

You must have a reason, or you will go to jail.

69Lonely69 · Answer

Not that I know of

jahaims · Answer

It's easy to get out of

Can I get away with not going to jury duty?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Forced Jury duty is that actually a thing?

Can I get away with not going to jury duty?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Forced Jury duty is that actually a thing?

We're glad to see you liked this post.