Missing jury duty in New Jersey can result in a fine, contempt of court charges, or a bench warrant for your arrest
If you ignore a jury summons in New Jersey, the court will treat it as contempt. The consequences start with a fine — typically $500 to $1,000 for a first offense — but can escalate to jail time, a criminal record, or a warrant issued for your arrest. The exact penalty depends on whether you ignored the summons entirely, failed to show up on your assigned date, or left early without permission.
New Jersey courts take jury duty seriously because the system depends on people showing up. If you receive a summons and cannot serve, you must respond to it — either by requesting a postponement, claiming hardship, or explaining why you cannot attend. Ignoring it altogether is what triggers penalties.
Key Takeaways
- Ignoring a jury summons in New Jersey can result in fines between $500 and $1,000, plus potential jail time for repeat or willful violations.
- You must respond to a summons even if you cannot serve — requesting a postponement or explaining hardship is the correct way to handle conflicts.
- A bench warrant can be issued if you miss jury duty without contacting the court, and police can arrest you to bring you before a judge.
- Contempt of court charges can appear on your criminal record and affect employment, housing, or professional licensing.
- If you have already missed jury duty, contacting the court immediately to explain and pay any fine can prevent escalation to arrest.
Fines and financial penalties for missing jury duty
New Jersey law allows courts to fine you up to $1,000 for failing to appear for jury duty. Most first-time offenders are fined between $500 and $1,000, depending on the judge and the circumstances. The fine is separate from any other penalties — it is not a choice between a fine or jail time, but rather a starting point.
The court typically sends a notice of the fine by mail after you miss your jury date. If you pay it promptly, the matter often ends there. If you ignore the fine notice, the court can escalate the case by issuing a bench warrant or referring it to a collection agency.
Contempt of court charges and criminal consequences
Missing jury duty can result in a contempt of court charge, which is a criminal offense in New Jersey. Contempt charges fall into two categories: civil contempt (meant to coerce compliance) and criminal contempt (meant to punish willful disobedience). Missing jury duty typically falls under criminal contempt if the court finds you deliberately ignored the summons.
A contempt conviction can result in up to 30 days in jail, a fine, or both. More importantly, a contempt conviction appears on your criminal record. This can affect your ability to rent an apartment, get hired for certain jobs, obtain professional licenses, or pass background checks for volunteer positions.
If you have a legitimate reason for missing jury duty — a medical emergency, a death in the family, a work crisis you could not avoid — the court may dismiss the contempt charge if you explain it quickly. The key is contacting the court before or immediately after you miss your date, not waiting weeks or months.
Bench warrants and arrest
If you miss jury duty and do not respond to court notices, a judge can issue a bench warrant for your arrest. This warrant authorizes police to arrest you and bring you before the court. You will not necessarily be arrested immediately — the warrant stays active until you are found — but it can be executed at any traffic stop, during a background check, or if you come into contact with law enforcement for any reason.
Once arrested on a bench warrant for missed jury duty, you will be held until you can appear before a judge. The judge will then decide whether to release you, set bail, or hold you pending trial on the contempt charge. Even if the underlying fine is small, the arrest and court appearance create additional costs and complications.
How to respond if you have already missed jury duty
If you missed your jury date, contact the court that issued the summons as soon as possible. Call the jury office directly — the phone number is on your summons or on the court's website. Explain what happened and ask what steps you need to take.
If you have a legitimate reason for missing jury duty, bring documentation: a hospital discharge summary, a death certificate, a letter from your employer explaining an unavoidable work crisis, or medical records if you were ill. The court is more likely to dismiss or reduce penalties if you show you had a genuine conflict and are now taking responsibility.
If you received a fine notice, pay it promptly. If you cannot afford the full amount, ask the court about a payment plan. Paying shows good faith and often prevents the court from escalating to a bench warrant.
Do not ignore follow-up notices or court dates. Each time you ignore a court communication, you give the judge more reason to issue a warrant or increase penalties.
Differences between postponing and missing jury duty
There is a critical difference between postponing jury duty and missing it. If you receive a summons and know you cannot serve on that date, you can request a postponement before your date arrives. Most courts allow one or two postponements without penalty, and you simply reschedule for a later date.
Missing jury duty means you either ignored the summons entirely or failed to show up on your assigned date without requesting a postponement or explaining your absence beforehand. The court sees this as willful disobedience, which is why penalties are steeper.
If you receive a summons, always respond to it — even if you cannot serve. Responding and requesting a postponement takes 10 minutes and prevents all the consequences listed above.
What happens if you leave jury duty early without permission
If you show up for jury duty but leave before you are dismissed — either during jury selection or during a trial — you can also face contempt charges. The court has authority over you once you are summoned, and leaving without permission is treated as disobedience.
If you have a genuine emergency during jury duty, tell the judge or bailiff immediately. Explain the situation and ask to be excused. If the judge agrees, you are released. If you simply walk out, you risk the same fines and contempt charges as if you had missed the date entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go to jail for missing jury duty in New Jersey?
Yes. While a fine is the most common penalty for a first offense, the court can impose up to 30 days in jail for contempt of court. Repeat violations or willful disobedience increase the likelihood of jail time. Contacting the court quickly and explaining your absence can prevent escalation to jail.
What if I never received my jury summons?
If you genuinely did not receive the summons, tell the court immediately when you discover the missed date. Bring any evidence that you did not receive it — for example, if you moved and did not update your address with the court. The court may dismiss the penalty if it finds the summons was not properly delivered.
Do I have to pay the fine right away?
No. If you receive a fine notice, you can contact the court to ask about a payment plan. Courts often allow you to pay in installments rather than in one lump sum. Paying on a plan is better than ignoring the notice, which can lead to a bench warrant.
Will missing jury duty show up on a background check?
If you are charged with contempt of court, yes — that conviction will appear on your criminal record and show up on most background checks. A simple fine without a contempt charge typically does not appear as a criminal record, but it may appear in court records if someone searches specifically for it.
Can I request a postponement after I have already missed my date?
No. Once you have missed your assigned date, you cannot simply request a postponement. You must contact the court, explain why you missed it, and ask whether the court will dismiss the penalty or allow you to serve at a future date. The court has discretion, but you are no longer in the position of someone requesting a routine postponement.