A lot of people don't like thinking of jury duty – much less being summoned to serve on one. One article reported that most jurors believe jury duty is boring and the schedule inflexible. Yet jury duty is a law and a civic duty; therefore, should you receive a jury summons, it is not acceptable to not attend and there will be consequences if you don't show up.

Despite this, it is reported that 2/3 of 15 million Americans do not show up when receiving a jury summons. Many never-to-be jurors make excuses and claim hardships in order to avoid going. In many states based on statuary definition, there are a number of excuses allowed to avoid jury duty. For example, if you are sick or have a disability your plea is considered legitimate – those who just don't want to miss school or work do not have a choice as legally, a student or an employee cannot be penalized for serving as a juror.

The system by which jurors are chosen is taken from both registered voters as well as licensed drivers. When summoned for jury service, the potential candidates will fill out questionnaires; the judge and attorneys are responsible for a process called Voir Dire. They are responsible for selecting jurors who are not discriminatory towards the events or people taking place in the case; their main purpose is to find jurors who can discern and properly reason. According to the United States Supreme court there are two types of Juries. The first one is called a petit trial with jury numbers ranging from six to 12 members. The second type of jury is called a grand jury with 16 to 23 members who are called to serve.

The Jury Patriotism Act is a program that enacts penalties should Americans decline to attend jury duty. Through this act, Americans can receive higher fines and jail time. This act also creates higher standards in regard to excuses that are acceptable in the court of law. According to one source, when they had forgotten to show up for jury duty, there was a warrant issued for his arrest. It is suggested that should you forget, and even the summons be lost in the mail (as 25 percent usually are) it is important to report the matter. Many times the court is lenient, sometimes excusing your or putting you back in the system for future jury duty cases.

The penalty for not attending jury duty is different for each state. In 2003, Massachusetts sent out $2,000 fines for jurors who reportedly missed jury duty; the collective amount of people that were issued the fine was $48,000. New York County charged $250 for their 1,443 missing jurors while Los Angeles fines totaled to $940,000. Arizona and Phoenix have other penalty methods; they send deputy sheriffs out to the homes of their residents who don't respond to jury summons. Near San Diego in Riverside County, officials are thinking of making these jury duty abandoners stand in front of a judge; fine and imprisonment are also applicable.

One source said that they needed to penalize jurors who did not show up because there were thousands who did attend. So, for those have not shown up for jury duty it is important to contact the court as soon as possible. Courts will be more likely to exercise leniency. If your jury duty date is at an inconvenient time in your life and causing extraneous hardship, it is advisable that you call the court and ask for a change of date. They may be able to accommodate you.