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Wayne County Jury Dodgers Have One Last Chance Before They Pay The Price

DETROIT (WWJ) - Officials are giving jury dodgers in Wayne County one last chance to ask for forgiveness before they're forced to pay the price for avoiding their civic duties.

Many Wayne County residents, by some estimates more than 30,000, have failed to show up for jury duty over the past year and are now at risk of getting fined -- or worse.

"Blowing off jury duty can actually land you in jail," said WWJ Legal Analyst Charlie Langton.

But the Third Circuit Court is giving jury dodgers one last chance to avoid those penalties and serve.

Anyone who has failed to show up for jury duty within the last year has until Friday, March 13 to contact the court and request a new service date or risk receiving a show cause order. A resident who receives the order must appear in front of the judge and plead their case to the court.

"Those show cause orders carry with them the possibility of penalties, fines and even jail," said Langton.

Chief Judge Robert Colombo said jury service is essential to protect the rights of a defendant from an unfair prosecutor or lawyer or the possible prejudice of a judge.

"Jury service is the purest form of government because jurors are not subject to political considerations or contributions, but rather decide the case based upon the evidence," Colombo said in a statement. "Jurors represent the thinking of the community. It is a service that should command the pride and pleasure of every citizen and should not be avoided."

To request a new jury service date, call 313-224-2590 or 313-224-5650 and state you want to participate in the Last Chance Jury Service Process.

 

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