Dozens of residents in Mendocino County are being called in front of a judge next week to answer for why they did not show up for jury duty in the past year.
Mendocino County Superior Court Judge Keith Faulder on April 10 will preside over juror compliance hearings for more than 60 people who were selected randomly after disregarding repeated jury summons, court officials said in a news release.
The number of people appearing for jury duty “has declined to an alarmingly low percentage” in the county, with some trials that were not able to go forward because of an insufficient number of jurors, according to the Superior Court release.
The court is instituting a monthly juror compliance calendar to make people show cause for why they should not face sanctions for failing to appear. Faulder may order people to appear on the next date they are needed or can issue a fine of up to $1,500.
“I would much rather potential jurors honor their commitment and appear for jury duty than sanction them for failure to take this obligation seriously,” Faulder said in the news release.
If someone appears for jury duty, they are excused for at least the next 12 months, and have the opportunity to tell a judge if they have financial or travel hardships that make it difficult to serve on a trial.
To serve on a jury in Mendocino County, someone must be a U.S. citizen who is at least 18, a resident of the county, able to read and understand English, can no longer be on parole or probation if convicted of a felony, among other restrictions.
More information about jury service in Mendocino County can be found on the court’s website.
