Most of us feel the same way about jury duty. It is on the same level as going to the dentist or being asked to cover the late shift. Not many of us jump to the duty, as they call it, yet most have no choice in the matter. Without a good excuse and proof of, it is virtually impossible to get out of jury duty. Regardless, after receiving a jury duty summons, your first thought might be, “how can I get out of this?”, while your second thought might be, “do I really have to show up?”
Both of these are common jury duty questions that deserve accurate and update answers. After all, you could be penalized for missing jury duty. Does such penalization serve as grounds for an arrest or jail time? How is one penalized for skipping jury duty? How can you get out of jury duty? All of these are great questions.
Continue below to learn the answers to them all, including what to do if you miss your jury duty date.
Facts About Jury Duty
Jury duty is an important civic responsibility that helps to ensure the fairness of our legal system. While it may not be the most exciting way to spend a day, serving on a jury is an essential part of democracy. Serving on a jury is a privilege and a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. It is an opportunity to play a role in ensuring justice is served, and to learn more about how our legal system works. Jury duty can be an inconvenience, but it is also an important part of being a responsible citizen.
Jury duty typically involves sitting in a courtroom and listening to evidence presented by lawyers in a criminal or civil trial. After hearing both sides of the case, the jury deliberates in private to reach a verdict. Jurors are chosen at random from a pool of eligible citizens and must be impartial and objective when hearing a case. This can be challenging, especially in high-profile cases, but it is important to remember that everyone is entitled to a fair trial.
Jury Duty Obligations
If you fail to appear for jury duty, you may be subject to contempt of court charges. This could result in a fine or even jail time. But in most cases, the court just reschedules your jury duty for another date. However, it’s best to avoid missing jury duty altogether if possible. If you miss jury duty, contact an Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer for your best chance at avoiding the maximum penalties for your charges. A criminal attorney can negotiate with the courts and get you a new jury duty date in lieu of criminal charges or jail time.
Were you summoned for jury duty but missed your scheduled date? Contact the Law Office of David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to schedule a meeting with our experienced Indianapolis criminal defense law firm. We can hold meetings over the phone or in person at our Indy-based office.
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