5 Things to Know If You Miss Your Jury Duty Date

Missing jury duty does not always mean you will immediately face arrest or a fine, but you should not ignore it. The safest response is to contact the court that issued your summons, explain why you missed the date, and follow its instructions for rescheduling or appearing before a judge.

If you are wondering what happens if you miss jury duty, the answer depends on whether you are dealing with a federal or state court and why you failed to appear. A genuine mistake, illness, emergency, transportation issue, or failure to receive the summons may be relevant, but the court decides how to handle your situation.

1. Contact the Court Right Away

Check your summons for the jury-management office or clerk’s contact information. Use the official telephone number or website printed on the summons, or independently verify the court’s website before making contact.

Ask whether:

Your absence was recorded
You need to appear before a judge
You must submit an explanation
A new service date will be assigned
You need to complete another questionnaire
An order to show cause has been issued

Do not assume that hearing nothing means the issue has disappeared.

2. Explain Why You Missed the Date

The reason for your absence can matter. Courts may consider circumstances such as illness, an emergency, transportation problems, a genuine mistake, or never receiving the summons.

Gather documents that support your explanation, including:

Medical or emergency-care records.
Travel cancellation documents.
Employer records.
Transportation records.
Evidence of a family emergency.
Proof of an address or delivery problem.

Be straightforward. Do not exaggerate your circumstances or provide false documents simply to avoid consequences.

3. Know When Federal Penalties Apply

Federal jury service has a specific process for missed appearances. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1866(g), a federal district court can require a person who failed to appear to come before the court and explain the noncompliance. If good cause is not shown, the court may impose a fine, imprisonment of up to three days, community service, or a combination of these penalties.

That does not mean every missed federal jury date automatically results in the maximum punishment. The person generally has an opportunity to explain the absence before sanctions are imposed.

4. Take Any Court Order Seriously

If the court sends an order requiring you to explain your absence, do not ignore it. Attend at the time and place specified and bring your summons, court notices, and documents supporting your explanation.

Answer the judge’s questions honestly and directly. A later failure to respond to a court order can create more serious problems than the original missed appearance.

If the notice mentions contempt sanctions or possible criminal consequences, treat the hearing as a serious legal matter rather than a routine scheduling issue.

5. Watch for Jury-Duty Scams

A missed jury date can also become an opportunity for scammers. Fraudsters may pretend to be court officials or law enforcement officers and threaten immediate arrest unless you pay money.

Do not pay someone who demands money through:

Gift cards or prepaid cards.
Cryptocurrency.
Wire transfers.
Payment apps.
Telephone or text messages.

The FTC warns about these types of jury-duty scams, while federal courts advise prospective jurors to verify suspicious communications independently. If someone contacts you, hang up and call the court using an official number you obtained yourself.