Missed your jury summons? What to do now

It happens more often than you'd think. The summons went to an old address, got buried in a pile of mail, or you mixed up the date. Missing jury duty is taken seriously, but courts deal with it constantly, and the fix almost always starts with a phone call.

First, call the jury office

Use the phone number on the summons or the court's official website, not a number from an unexpected call or text. Explain what happened and ask what you need to do. In most cases you'll be given a new date. Acting promptly, before the court sends a follow-up notice or order, shows good faith.

What the law says (federal)

For federal courts, 28 U.S.C. § 1866(g) says a person summoned who fails to appear may be ordered by the district court to appear and show cause, meaning explain why they didn't comply. Anyone who fails to show good cause may be fined up to $1,000, imprisoned for up to three days, ordered to perform community service, or any combination. Those are maximums, and the key phrase is "good cause." A real explanation, promptly given, is exactly what the show-cause process is for.

What the law says (states)

States set their own penalties, usually through contempt of court. Virginia's official juror guide, for example, notes that failing to respond to a summons can lead to contempt. Details vary widely. Your state jury page or the court clerk can tell you what applies.

Common situations

• The summons went to an old address. Tell the court and update your address. Colorado's judicial branch has a dedicated page for summonses sent to an old address.
• You didn't qualify anyway. For example, you've moved out of the county or you're not a citizen. You still need to tell the court. Respond to the questionnaire and explain.
• You forgot or mixed up the date. Call, apologize, and reschedule.
• You got a follow-up notice or an order to show cause. Respond by the date given, and follow the instructions exactly. If an order requires you to appear in court, go. Consider getting legal advice if you're worried.

Watch for scams

Scammers exploit this exact fear. The U.S. Courts warn about calls, emails, and messages threatening prosecution for failing to serve and pressuring people for personal data. Real courts mostly contact jurors by mail, and federal courts never require sensitive information by phone or email. Courts don't take payment by gift card or wire transfer over the phone to cancel a warrant. See jury duty scams.

Going forward

Keep your address current on your driver's license and voter registration, since many courts draw names from those lists. Put your reporting date in your calendar the day the summons arrives, and follow the check-in instructions the evening before. If you need a different date, ask before the date, using our postponement letter builder.