Failing to appear without notifying the court system could be construed as contempt, said Jane Irving, Holmes County County Court judge. Because of that, we have to change the whole jury. We had to rearrange plans for a couple of hours for nothing, as it turned out, because we were short one person. Most people do call if they are unable to serve, but laws recently have been modified to eliminate many of the excuses, according to Irving.
People indicate they're too busy.
Everyone really is busy, but it's a civic duty to do something for the county and take part in the judicial system. The world is not fair. The biggest problem is self-employed people who don't get paid if they don't work. A doctor's excuse is required for jurors who call in sick. Jurors over 72 years old can decline, but many senior citizens are willing to serve, she said.