what if you don't respond to jury summons

If you don't respond to a jury summons, you will be violating the court orders, and this may lead to certain punishments. The penalties for ignoring a jury summons vary by jurisdiction, but common penalties include fines and, in some cases, jail time. Please be aware that jury service is a civic duty and it's important to respond to the summons accordingly.

The severity of penalties often depends on your local jurisdiction's laws, but they can be quite severe. For instance, fines may range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Jail time, while less common, can be imposed in some cases.

In general, courts understand that mistakes can happen. If you miss jury duty, it's advisable to contact the court as soon as possible and explain the situation. Often, you'll be rescheduled for another date without a penalty. However, this doesn't apply if you deliberately ignore a jury summons.

You would need to request a deferral or postponement. This process varies by jurisdiction, but usually involves contacting the court that issued the summons and explaining why you are unable to attend. They may ask you to provide supporting documentation proving a valid reason. If the court accepts your request, a new date will be set for your jury duty.