If you don’t go to jury duty in California, the court doesn’t fine you right away. It escalates in stages: a second summons, then a formal failure to appear notice, then an Order to Show Cause requiring you to stand before a judge, who can impose fines up to $1,500 or find you in contempt of court.1Justia. California Code of Civil Procedure § 209
What Happens After You Ignore the First Summons
Skipping one summons does not immediately trigger a penalty. The court typically sends a second summons at least 90 days after the first, noting that you failed to appear and ordering you to a new date.1Justia. California Code of Civil Procedure § 209
If you ignore that second summons, the court may issue a formal failure to appear notice. This notice warns that continued non-response can lead to financial penalties and tells you how to reschedule or explain your absence, usually through an online juror portal or the local jury office.2Superior Court of California, County of Riverside. Failure to Appear/Respond Respond within the window the notice gives you. That is the last off-ramp before the court takes further action.1Justia. California Code of Civil Procedure § 209
The Order to Show Cause Hearing
Ignore the failure to appear notice and the court is required to issue an Order to Show Cause. This is a formal command to appear before a judge and explain why you should not be penalized for missing jury duty.1Justia. California Code of Civil Procedure § 209
You can present evidence and reasons for why you couldn’t serve. The judge then decides whether to dismiss the matter or impose sanctions.1Justia. California Code of Civil Procedure § 209
Fines and Contempt of Court
If the judge finds you violated your jury duty obligation, the fines under California law scale with how many times you have missed service:1Justia. California Code of Civil Procedure § 209
- Up to $250 for a first violation
- Up to $750 for a second violation
- Up to $1,500 for a third violation and any after that
In more serious cases, a judge can find you in contempt of court. Contempt is rare compared with monetary sanctions, but it carries real weight: the court can order up to five days in jail on top of a fine.3Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino. Failure to Appear or Respond to a Jury Summons
How to Fix a Missed Jury Date
If you have already missed your date, contact your local jury services office or log into the online juror portal as soon as you can. Acting quickly can stop the escalation before it reaches a hearing, depending on how much time has passed.1Justia. California Code of Civil Procedure § 2092Superior Court of California, County of Riverside. Failure to Appear/Respond
Be ready to explain what happened and offer a new date you can serve. Courts generally allow a reschedule when you show you’re trying to fulfill the obligation in good faith. The earlier you reach out, the better your chances of avoiding both a fine and a trip in front of a judge.