Consequences of Not Showing for Jury Duty in Pennsylvania This is an incredibly important duty that remains the backbone of our criminal and civil justice systems. Individuals who fail to show up for jury duty when summoned could face fines and/or imprisonment for contempt of court under 42 Pa. C.S. § 4584.
Any party may demand a trial by jury of any issue triable of right by a jury by (1) serving upon the other parties a demand therefor in writing at any time after the commencement of the action and not later than 10 days after the service of the last pleading directed to such issue, and (2) filing the demand as required ...
Failure to return the questionnaire will cause you to be summoned to court. Failure to respond to the summons may lead to your arrest and imposition of a fine or costs.
Failure to complete the questionnaire may result in court action/fines.
Failure to complete and return a jury questionnaire, providing false information on the questionnaire, or using vulgar or profane language in response to a jury questionnaire subjects a citizen to show cause proceeding for contempt of court.
Any person who fails to appear pursuant to such order or who fails to show good cause for noncompliance with the summons may be fined up to $1,000.00, imprisoned not more than three days, ordered to perform community service, or any combination thereof.
Rule 1007.1. (a) Demand. In any action in which the right to jury trial exists, that right shall be deemed waived unless a party files and serves a written demand for a jury trial not later than twenty days after service of the last permissible pleading.
A physician's letter or medical form is required for excusal/postponement from jury duty for medical reasons. Other reasons for excusal/postponement are reviewed and evaluated pursuant to court policy. Jurors receive a prompt response in writing or by email upon submitting excusal / postponement requests.
Rule 212.2 - PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE (a) Pre-trial conferences shall be mandatory in all contested civil actions listed for trial by jury, and shall be held in the chambers of the Judge for the purposes set forth in Pa. R.C.P. 212.