Jury duty in California?

[wakemewhenitsover]

My girlfriend's mom is traveling overseas, and she missed appearing for jury duty selection because my girlfriend forgot to forward her mail in time. She's really worried. She heard a $1500 fine is possible. She also heard a bench warrant is possible, and that she may even have to come back to go to court, to explain why she missed the jury selection date. How often does that really happen? What reason is valid for missing jury duty in California? Are they really that strict?! What percentage of people get fined or have to appear before a judge if they miss the selection date, and how big are the fines usually? Any info re. California jury duty would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Spinzonner]

1. It's unlikely that they would go after anyone

unless there is fraudulent intent or the failure to appear or respond is abusive (repetitive).

She should stop worrying and, if really concerned, have someone contact the court and explain the circumstances.

They understand that things happen and are not hot-to-prosecute. It would clog up the system.

[wakemewhenitsover]

4. My girlfriend said she called the court the first time a notice came...

...to appear for jury duty selection, but there was a letter indicating her mother just didn't show up (I guess the person on the phone didn't make note of the call), therefore this would count as two failures to appear. Would two misses be considered "abusive" if she contacted them right away, and explained? I'm assuming you should follow up such calls with something in writing? Is not being in California a valid reason not to appear? Thanks so much for your advice. I'll pass it along.

[wakemewhenitsover]

7. Someone mentioned "sanction summons". What's that?

[RevolutionStartsNow]

2. Don't worry

I've personally missed plenty of Jury Duty. I missed one because I moved and didn't get my mail, and another one I just forgot. I was also briefly worried, but in talking to people I realized just what the first response said, that they don't have time to go after anyone for this. She will just get called again another time.

[wakemewhenitsover]

6. Thanks. Appreciate your input.

[Kickin_Donkey]

3. I wouldn't be too worried about it ...

I'm a Californian and I spent 10 years living overseas.

Whenever I'd get a jury duty summons in the mail at my parents' home in California, my parents would either call the county clerk's office (it's a small county) or send back the notice, explaining that I was living abroad and thus wouldn't be able to serve. The county staff would just say cool (paraphrasing).

This was always done before the appearance date, so it's a bit different than the situation that you've described. But I can't imagine officlaldom doing anything harsh, if at all. They didn't appear to be real strict about it. They've got bigger fish to fry.

[wakemewhenitsover]

5. Good to know. Thanks so much for your advice.

[momisold]

8. Don't know about CA

but the county I live in (Fort Bend, Texas) recently called in 250 people who missed jury duty. I'm not sure if they were fined but they were sternly warned about missing jury duty and maybe were assigned to future dates of duty.