I had postponed Jury Service, never received anything in mail, and now have a summons, can I get out of this?

Question

I originally received a Jury Summons in the mail in november. I postponed til Xmas week. I never heard anything nor did I received anything in the mail. Was I supposed to call during the week I postponed as I received no instructions? Now I have received a summons requesting I appear to clear my name and then be on call for jury service the next week. Is there anyway of getting out of this as my job is entering it's busiest weeks of the year the week I might have jury duty. Can I claim financial hardship or will the courts not care? Will I be fined for not appearing for jury service the week of my postponement?

Answer 1

Just explain your situation, and the court should understand. They are not monsters. Also, to get out of Jury Duty, when you go for your interview just tell them that you would not convict anyone just on the testimony of a police officer. You won't be on Jury duty and they won't call you anymore.

Answer 2

The answer is

Yes - you do have to appear.

Yes - you can be held in contempt and fined or jailed

Yes - it is your responsibility to stay on top of the situation

Yes - your responsibility to follow up on the postponement

No - your reason is not an eligible reason to be excused from Jury Duty

No - financial hardship is not a reason, it is your civil duty

You better practice these sentences and have them memorized and say them with passion.

If it pleases the court, your Honor, I want to state ... yada yada.

Yes, your Honor.        No,  your Honor.

Don't use the word "like" after every other word, e.g., "well it's like we were like going .....and it was like yada yada yada"

Speak correct and proper English. Dude, Lordship, Judgeship, Naw, Yes, Yeah are not good words to impress a judge.

My punishment was sitting on a chair right next to the "bench (place where the Judge sits)" without anything to read. I couldn't talk or make any moves or noises that would interrupt the court. I spent 24 working hours sitting there. Eight hours each day. I'll never violate a jury summons again. Taught me!

Answer 3

cross examine the prosecution severely