What is the penalty if you refuse to serve in a jury when you are summoned?

Question

I was summoned for jury duty a while back but was able to get out of it because I was a full time college student. What would have been the penalty if I had simply refused to serve?

Answer 1

You can be found to be in contempt of court.

The penalty kind of depends on the judge.

Answer 2

You can be held in contempt of court, and that's something for which there's no fixed penalty time in jail.  Theoretically, you could be held there until such time as you agree to serve - in short, indefinitely.

Answer 3

I suppose you could get (at worst) contempt of court, or something, although it'd be unlikely.