If you miss jury duty in Washington State, the legal worst case is a misdemeanor charge carrying up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both — but that outcome is rare, and most courts will try to reach you and reschedule before anything criminal happens. The pivotal word in the statute is “intentionally.” Whether you face real penalties or a simple do-over usually depends on what you do in the days after the missed date.
What the Law Actually Says
Washington law states that anyone summoned for jury service who intentionally fails to appear is guilty of a misdemeanor.1Washington State Legislature. Washington Code 2.36.170 – Failure of Juror to Appear-Penalty A misdemeanor in Washington carries a maximum sentence of 90 days in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.2Washington State Legislature. Washington Code 9A.20.021 – Maximum Sentences for Crimes Committed July 1, 1984, and After
Those are ceiling penalties, not typical outcomes for a first-time no-show. The “intentionally” standard matters. Someone who never received the summons because it went to an old address, or who had a genuine emergency, is in a very different position from someone who threw the envelope away. The state has to prove the skip was deliberate.
Still, the possibility of a criminal record is the part that catches people off guard. Most assume the worst case is a fine. It isn’t.
Contempt of Court Is a Separate Risk
Beyond the misdemeanor charge, a judge can hold a no-show juror in contempt of court. Punitive contempt in Washington can mean a fine of up to $5,000, up to 364 days in jail, or both for each instance. A judge can also impose summary contempt sanctions of up to $500 and 30 days in jail for conduct connected to the court’s proceedings.
Contempt charges for missed jury duty are uncommon, especially for a first offense. Courts typically reserve contempt for people who ignore repeated follow-up notices or who blow off an order to show cause requiring them to appear and explain their absence. Respond promptly after one missed date and contempt is unlikely. Ignore every communication the court sends and the risk climbs fast.
How Courts Usually Respond Before Charging Anyone
Washington courts don’t file criminal charges the day after you miss your service date. The typical sequence starts with administrative follow-up: a second notice, a phone call, or an email asking why you didn’t appear. Some courts then issue a formal order to show cause, which is a written directive requiring you to come to court on a specific date and explain your absence to a judge.
This graduated approach exists because courts know plenty of missed summonses come down to address changes, mail problems, family emergencies, and honest forgetfulness. Judges want jurors in the box, not defendants in the dock. The patience has limits, though. If you ignore the follow-up the same way you ignored the original summons, the court’s tone shifts from administrative to punitive.
What to Do If You Already Missed Your Summons
Contact the court that issued the summons immediately. Call the jury administration office or clerk’s office — the phone number is on the summons itself, or on the court’s website. Explain what happened, and ask what you need to do to resolve it.
Courts hear from people in this situation constantly, and the response to a first-time no-show who calls promptly is almost always rescheduling rather than prosecution. Be prepared to provide documentation if you had a legitimate reason for your absence: a medical note, proof of a family emergency, or evidence you never received the summons. Some courts may ask you to fill out a new juror questionnaire or attend a brief hearing.
The worst thing you can do is nothing. Every day you wait makes it harder to argue the absence was unintentional, and that word is the difference between a conversation with a clerk and a misdemeanor charge.1Washington State Legislature. Washington Code 2.36.170 – Failure of Juror to Appear-Penalty
Getting Excused or Rescheduled Before Your Date
If your service date hasn’t arrived yet, Washington law makes it far easier to get out of a specific date than most people assume. The statute permits excusal for undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, or public necessity, and gives courts discretion to grant excuses for any reason the judge finds sufficient.3Washington State Legislature. Washington Code 2.36.100 – Excuse From Service-Reasons
Reasons courts commonly accept include a medical condition documented by a licensed physician, sole caregiving responsibilities for a child or dependent, student or work conflicts (usually handled as a deferral to a later date), and already having served at least one week of jury duty in any Washington or federal court within the past 12 months. If you’re 80 or older and attest that health reasons prevent you from serving, the court must grant your request, with no doctor’s note required.3Washington State Legislature. Washington Code 2.36.100 – Excuse From Service-Reasons
The critical step is making the request before your service date. Most courts let you do this through an online juror portal or by calling jury administration. Wait until after you’ve missed the date and an easy deferral becomes a much harder conversation.
Federal Jury Summonses Follow Different Rules
Check the top of your summons. If it came from a federal court such as the U.S. District Court for the Western or Eastern District of Washington, state law doesn’t govern the penalty. Federal law allows a fine of up to $1,000, up to three days in jail, community service, or any combination for failing to show good cause for missing jury duty.4Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1866 – Selection and Summoning of Jury Panels
The jail ceiling is shorter than the state’s, but the process is more formal. The U.S. Marshals Service may personally serve you with an order to show cause, and you’ll appear before a federal magistrate judge to explain yourself. Federal courts also don’t need to prove you acted intentionally; they only need to show you failed to appear and lacked good cause. That’s a lower bar than the state statute.
Watch Out for Jury Duty Scams
Washington has seen a sharp rise in scam calls, texts, and emails targeting residents with fake jury duty threats. A typical pitch: someone claims to be from the court or law enforcement, says there’s a warrant for your arrest because you missed jury duty, and demands immediate payment or personal information to clear it up.5Washington Courts. Court Scams
Real courts do not work this way. Washington courts and law enforcement agencies will never call demanding payment for missed jury service, threaten to suspend your driver’s license over a jury summons, or ask for financial information over the phone.5Washington Courts. Court Scams Legitimate contact about jury duty comes through the mail. If someone calls or emails making threats and asking for money or personal details, hang up and don’t click any links. Verify whether you have an actual outstanding summons by contacting your county’s jury administration office directly.