If you don't go to jury duty after being summoned, several consequences can occur depending on your jurisdiction and whether it's your first offense:

• Initial No-Show : Usually, if you miss your first jury summons, the court will send you a second notice with a new date and a warning. This is your opportunity to respond and avoid penalties

• Ignoring Further Summons : Failing to respond to the second summons or continued ignoring of jury duty can lead to more serious consequences. The court may hold you in contempt of court, which is a legal offense

• Potential Penalties :
  • Fines typically range from $100 up to $1,000, depending on the state

* Community service requirements may be imposed in some cases

* Jail time is possible but rare, usually reserved for repeated offenses or willful contempt. Jail terms can range from a few days up to six months depending on the jurisdiction

* The court may issue a "show cause" order requiring you to appear before a judge to explain your absence; failure to appear at this hearing can escalate penalties, including arrest warrants

• Practical Enforcement : While the law allows for severe penalties, in practice, police rarely arrest people for missing jury duty due to the large number of no-shows and the impracticality of enforcement

• How to Avoid Penalties : If you have a valid reason for missing jury duty (e.g., illness, hardship, prior commitments), you should communicate with the court clerk promptly to request a deferral or exemption. Ignoring the summons without any communication is what triggers penalties

In summary, not attending jury duty can lead to fines, community service, contempt of court charges, and in rare cases, jail time. Courts generally give a warning after the first missed summons but take repeated no-shows seriously