The Consequences of Ignoring Jury Duty

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Jury duty is something no one looks forward to. Yet, it is one of the most important aspects of the American justice system. Without a jury, it would be very difficult for legal cases to be decided fairly. 

In Oregon (like other states), serving on a jury is a civic responsibility. It is also a legal requirement, even though most people try to get out of it. It is important to note that you should never ignore a jury duty summons, no matter how much you dislike serving as a jury member. 

There will be unpleasant consequences if you ignore your summons and fail to turn up at court on the specified date. 

You May Face Legal Consequences

A jury summons is an official court order, so if you receive one, you must respond. If you ignore the order and do not appear in court on the assigned day, you may be held in contempt of court. 

In most instances, you will have to pay a fine, but you could also be arrested under some circumstances. Non-compliance with a court order, including a jury duty summons, is viewed as an attack on the judicial system. 

If you ignore a summons for the first time, your service may be rescheduled. But you won’t always be so lucky. Should you keep ignoring future summonses, your situation will be worse. In this instance, you could get an incredibly steep fine or face a bench warrant. 

The Oregon law system can only work properly if everyone works together to see justice served. This system will inevitably break down if potential jurors ignore their civic duty. 

Your Absence Will Impact the Justice System

Remember that even if you are summoned, it does not automatically mean you will serve. You have to be selected for service first. If you don’t pitch up to court, the trial in question may be delayed because there are not enough jurors to choose from. 

The delay affects the court’s schedule and victims waiting to resolve a case. If the court cannot contact you to reschedule, they may need to find a replacement juror. This will add extra costs to the system and the legal process. Delays also lead to longer trials and increased administrative expenses. 

If more jurors do not arrive for duty, it will further delay the court’s caseload. 

By responding to a summons and turning up for jury duty, you can help prevent all these delays and expenses. 

Financial Implications of Ignoring Jury Duty

As mentioned, you may receive a fine if you ignore jury duty. If you are arrested, the additional expenses may add up to more than a fine because of the legal fees and court costs. 

You may also have to pay restitution if your court absence results in extra administrative costs. These costs are usually covered by taxpayer money, which means ignoring a summons also impacts your community. 

On the other hand, serving on a jury will allow you to be compensated for your time. Instead of losing money, you will be earning some. In Oregon, jurors receive a daily fee that increases after two days of jury duty. You can also get per-mileage reimbursement if you travel to the courthouse using your car. 

These payments are not excessive, but they can at least cover some of your expenses. And keep in mind that you may have to waive juror fees if your employer pays you in full for the time spent on jury duty.

What Happens If You Have to Take Time Off Work?

Jury duty is typically scheduled during the week as courts are closed on weekends and public holidays. As such, Oregon law protects workers who need to take time off work to serve. 

Your employer is not allowed to punish or fire you for serving jury duty. Of course, it is a different story if you lie about jury duty to get out of work. 

Most businesses understand that jury service is a legal responsibility. Therefore, most companies work around this to ensure employees can take the necessary days or weeks off. 

Unfortunately, you are not guaranteed your full wage while serving jury duty. Your employer cannot pause disability, life, or health insurance benefits during this time but can pay you less. 

If your employer punishes you for serving jury duty in any way, you can file an official complaint. The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries offers guidance and support for all workers fired unlawfully. 

How to Get Out of Jury Duty Legally

You can use several valid reasons to get out of jury duty. You can use one of these reasons to defer your jury duty or be completely excused. 

A deferral will allow you to postpone your jury service to a later date when it is more convenient for you. If you want to be excused entirely, you will have to prove that serving on a jury will cause you undue hardship. 

However, you could also be excused if you are above a certain age or have a serious medical condition. 

If you want to be excused, you must contact the court immediately after receiving a summons. You may need to provide supporting documents for your request to be excused. The court reviews each request on its own merits, so you may also need to provide extra evidence. 

What to Do When You Receive a Jury Duty Summons

When you receive a jury duty summons (in the mail), never consider ignoring it. Instead, read through it to get the necessary information, such as the place, time, and date you must appear. 

If you have no reason not to serve on a jury, set a reminder so you remember when to go to court. If you cannot attend, follow the instructions on the summons to request a deferral or excusal. 

If you want to defer your date, follow up if you haven’t received a new date within a few days. 

Avoid Unnecessary Stress and Fines

Taking the right steps, you protect your pocket and help build a more effective justice system. It simply is not worth it to try and ignore a summons when the consequences may be severe. 

Follow the above guidelines to avoid any issues, and you may even find that jury duty is actually not that bad.