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The right to an expedited trial by a panel of one’s peers is guaranteed by the US legal system. Contrary to popular belief, this does not entail choosing a jury made up of people who share the same racial, gender, age, and socioeconomic standing as the defendant. Perhaps “a jury of fellow citizens” would be a more accurate word.
Residents are initially chosen at random to consider serving as jurors in the jury selection procedure. This entails mailing summonses for juror duty. Anyone who gets a summons must appear in court on the scheduled date and time. The judge, prosecution, and defense lawyer then interview each prospective juror to see if they can serve impartially and fairly.
If you are chosen to serve, the court maintains that you have the right to consider fairly and impartially as a US citizen. But what occurs if you fail to report for juror duty? Although it may be enticing, disobeying your summons can have serious repercussions. What you should know is as follows.
Procedure for jury duty
The state can summon you for jury duty if you are a U.S. citizen and possess a driver’s license, state identity card, or voter registration card. You get a notice telling you when and where to show.
Most courts enable you to reschedule your service by calling the court or going to their website if you are aware of a conflict or will be out of town. A new date that works better for you can be set aside for juror duty.
You can ask the judge to be excused if your circumstance makes it difficult for you to serve, such as caring for young children, attending school full-time, or experiencing financial difficulty. Courts frequently uphold hardship claims with good cause.
For instance, if you are a one-person business owner who is in debt and unable to run your firm, you may be able to prove financial hardship. You can also ask to be excused if you suffer from a severe mental or physical illness that prohibits you from participating in a jury trial. Be ready to provide the judge with supporting evidence to prove your rightful justification.
What occurs if a juror summons is disregarded?
You must present for jury duty according to the court’s official summons, which you will receive in the mail. You should thoroughly read the summons in its entirety, as well as any letters or documents that may be attached. The excuse of not reading the summons is inadmissible as an excuse for skipping jury service.
You must reply to the summons even if you find that you have a good cause not to serve on a jury. Your summons will contain directions on how to respond as well as the phone number and address for the Court Clerk’s Office.
You could be found in contempt of court if you don’t respond to the summons or turn up for jury duty. A judge might issue an order requiring you to attend the meeting and provide an explanation if this happens. If you ignore a jury summons, you risk receiving a steep fine or a lengthy jail term.
Who is qualified to serve on a jury?
A list of residents with a driver’s license or other state ID card who are enrolled to vote is used by state courts to assemble a pool of prospective jurors. Any Georgian who satisfies the following criteria may serve on a jury:
- US national
- At least 18 years old
- Possess the ability to talk, read, and write in English and reside in the same county as the court where the trial is being held
- Mentally capable
- Being allowed to sit in a courtroom physically
- Not a convicted felon whose voting privileges have not been restored
- Even if you fulfill these requirements, you may be able to avoid jury duty if you can prove that you are exempt from doing so.
Can I formally escape jury duty?
There are a few ways you can avoid serving on a juror.
No obligation to disclose
On the Friday before your scheduled reporting date, usually after 6:00 pm, call the juror information line listed on your summons at the time specified. Pay close attention to the recorded instruction. If your jury number is outside of the allowed range, you are exempt from serving and your summons may be thrown away without consequence.
Not required to submit
You may request an exemption from jury service in Georgia if you are:
- A full-time student who is presently taking courses
- The sole guardian of a kid under the age of six without access to other childcare
- A main instructor in a home study course without access to childcare
- A person who is incapable of caring for themselves who is the person’s main unpaid caregiver (a doctor’s note is needed)
- 70 years of age or more
- Serving a military mission
Eligible for a postponement of jury duty
You may request a new date for your juror duty if you:
- Are sick
- Traveling for business or on a previously planned vacation? Having a medical procedure scheduled? Working on projects that are important for the public’s health, safety, or order?
- Have a further justification
- To find out if your excuse is accepted and to learn how to file a postponement request, call the court at least one week before the date of your summons.
When you require legal representation for jury service
If you have merely been given a jury summons, you may not necessarily need legal representation. If you’re uncertain of whether you have a good reason, you should speak with a lawyer. If you have been accused of contempt of court for skipping jury service, you should also speak with a lawyer.
Normally, if you merely skip jury duty without the court’s approval, there won’t be any consequences for you the first time. Instead, you will receive a letter from the court informing you of your absence and setting a new date for jury duty.