Most people can think of plenty of other things they would rather do than report for jury duty. However, our justice system, including both the civil and criminal sides, could not operate without jurors. If you are called for jury duty in California, you must show up unless you have a valid legal excuse.
Keep reading below about the potential penalties you could face if you fail to show up for jury duty.
California Juror Requirements
If you are summoned for jury duty, you must report for service if you meet the requirements. Potential jurors who do not meet the requirements to legally serve on a jury should notify the court prior to their reporting date.
To serve on a jury in California, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be able to understand the English language
- Be a resident of the county in which you received your summons
- Not have served on a jury within the previous 12 months
There are a few other juror requirements that are less common, and more information can be found about those on the California Courts website.
How Are Potential Jurors Selected in California?
There is often confusion about how potential jurors are selected for jury service. Some individuals mistakenly believe that voting will increase their chances of being called for jury duty, but that is simply not true.
County jury commissioners pull the names of potential jurors at random from:
- DMV driver’s license holders
- State ID card holders
- Registered voters
- State taxpayers
This process is intended to pull a fair and representative sample of potential jurors from across the county. If your name is in any of these California databases, then you could potentially be summoned for jury duty.
Potential Penalties for Failure to Report for Jury Duty
You should never fail to report for jury duty without making prior arrangements with the court. Failure to show up can get you into some legal trouble.
You could face contempt of court charges, and those charges may result in:
- Fines
- A “show cause” order
- Possible jail time
Some of the stricter counties may enforce fines and even jail time for jurors who fail to report for jury duty. If you cannot attend jury duty, you should always contact the court right away to reschedule or provide them with a valid excuse for why you cannot serve.
How Can I Get Out of Jury Duty in California?
California recognizes that jury service is a responsibility of citizenship. Juries are necessary to resolve all types of court cases, from car accidents and personal injury cases to serious criminal charges. Though you should always serve when required, there are some situations in which you are not required to serve on a jury.
You may be excused from jury service if:
- You fail to meet the required qualifications.
- You have no reasonable means of transportation to the court.
- Service would impose an extreme financial burden.
- You have a physical or mental disability or impairment.
- You are 70 years old or more.
- You provide full-time care for a child, elderly adult, or disabled family member.
These legal excuses may allow you to get out of jury duty in California, although you must inform the court. Simply failing to show up without contacting the court beforehand could still land you in legal trouble.
Contact a California Personal Injury Lawyer at Mercado Kramer for Legal Help
If you have been hurt in an accident, consulting with an experienced attorney is a wise first step. We can help you understand your legal right to bring your personal injury claim to a jury in order to get the justice you deserve.
For more information, please contact our experienced California personal injury attorneys at Mercado Kramer, for a free consultation. We have offices in Salinas and San Jose, CA, and we serve throughout Monterey County.
Mercado Kramer.
450 Lincoln Ave Ste. 102, Salinas, CA 93901
(888) 311 4050
