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Judge reprimands no-show jurors

by JEFF SMITH, For the Leader
| January 23, 2025 12:00 AM

When people receive a summons to appear in court for a jury trial, and fail to appear, there are consequences.

That happened in District Court in Polson recently when the 16 people who failed to appear for a jury trial received another summons. This time, they were ordered to show cause as to why they should not be held in contempt of court.

Ten of the 16 people appeared before Judge Molly Owen on Jan. 15 to hear how important it is for potential jurors to uphold their civic duty.

Judge Owen read a statement that says, in part, “When you receive a summons for jury duty, it is not a suggestion – it is a legal obligation. Ignoring this summons undermines the judicial system and has tangible consequences, both for the individual who fails to appear, and for the community as a whole.”

Owen warned that failure to report for jury duty can lead to legal penalties, including fines, contempt of court charges, or even, in extreme cases, jail time.

“By ignoring a jury summons, you place yourself in direct violation of the law, which can lead to a criminal record,” she told delinquent jurors.

She also pointed out that when people fail to show up for jury duty, it has an impact on the justice system. Failure to appear can delay trials, increase costs, and put additional stress on those who do show up, she said. In some instances, cases are postponed or dismissed, “denying justice to victims, defendants, and all parties involved.”

While acknowledging that jury duty is seldom convenient, she told her audience, “our participation matters more than you may realize.”

“When we answer the call to jury duty, we affirm our commitment to justice and democracy. Failure to do so weakens that commitment and has consequences that ripple through the community.”

As to the six prospective jurors who missed the second summons, a statement from the District Court released Thursday reads: “The Court is taking the further no-shows under advisement to decide on how to proceed. The taxpayer cost to address those further no-shows has to be taken into account.”