Being a juror can be troublesome, but it’s an integral part of the justice system of Illinois or any other state in which you’re reading this.
However, if you’re going to give up jury duty, you’d better have a good reason for it.
What happens if you refuse to be a juror?
Whether the reason for the failure to fulfill the duties of the jury is the true reason or fiction, failure to appear in court on the summons of the jury entails serious consequences. Penalties for such a misdemeanor are introduced so that everyone takes their civic duty seriously and so that the justice system can function effectively.
If you are legally unable to participate in the jury trial, you must immediately respond to the jury summons and provide a valid reason why you cannot attend.
According to federal law, any person who is called as a juror and does not appear in court in accordance with the instructions is obliged to indicate the reason for his insubordination. If a person cannot provide a valid reason for disobeying the summons, he may face a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for a period of no more than three days, an order to perform community service or any combination of the above-mentioned instructions.