What Happens If You Miss Jury Duty?

Jury duty is considered a mandatory civic duty for anyone who is summoned. Judges can issue letters to anyone who has missed the assigned jury duty date. Fines can range from $100 up into the thousands. For example, those who miss jury duty in Massachusetts can be fined up to $2,000. Judges can also rule that the person is in contempt of court, because the court system has been hindered by the missed jury date. This can result in jail time, ranging from a few days to a few months.