Juror Summons Law and Legal Definition
A juror summons is a process issued by the court commanding the appearance of an individual to attend and be available for duty on a petit or grand jury at a specified place, time, and date.
Appearance for jury duty is mandatory unless the potential juror is excused from appearing. The U.S. Constitution and all state constitutions guarantee its citizens the right to a jury trial in both civil and criminal cases. A person who fails to respond to a jury summons may be subject to a contempt of court citation. The person may also have to serve a short jail sentence or pay fines.
Jurors are selected on a random basis from state departments of motor vehicles and voter registration lists. Any person who is 18 years or older, a U.S. citizen, and is not a convicted felon whose civil rights have not been restored may be selected for jury duty.
A jury summons will indicate which court is demanding the citizen’s presence and the date on which the person is required to appear. Generally, a jury summons is sent by mail. However, the serving process, and the contents to be included in the summons may vary from state to state
The following is an example of a state statute (Colorado) relating to juror summons:
C.R.S. 13-71-111. Contents of juror summons.
The juror summons shall state: Whether the anticipated service is that of a trial or grand juror; the beginning date of the juror service; the name, address, hour, and room number, if any, of the courthouse or office to which the juror shall report on the first day of service; the fact that a knowing failure to obey the summons without justifiable excuse is a violation of section 18-8-612, C.R.S., and a class 3 misdemeanor punishable as provided in section 18-1.3-501, C.R.S.; and such other information and instructions as are deemed appropriate by the state court administrator or the jury commissioner. Every prospective juror shall also receive, with the summons, notice of the qualifications for juror service.
