Independent guide to jury service. Not affiliated with any court or government agency.
Jury Duty Explained
California state courts

Missed jury duty in California

Sanctions of up to $1,500, contempt, setting sanctions aside, and how to avoid scam calls.

If you ignore a California summons, the court can, after notice and a chance to be heard, impose sanctions of up to $250 for a first violation, $750 for a second and $1,500 for later ones, and paying does not end your duty to serve1. If sanctions were imposed against you by default, you can move to set them aside within 60 days2.

Verified November 10, 2026 by Roger K. NeustadtSee sources

Maximum sanction

First violation
$250
1
Second violation
$750
1
Third and later
$1,500
1

What can happen

  1. You don't respond or appearThe court may order you to attend3.
  2. Order to show causeAfter a hearing, the court may hold you in contempt, with a fine, jail or both3.
  3. Sanctions insteadOr the court may impose monetary sanctions, no more than once per juror pool cycle1.
  4. Set asideIf sanctions were imposed by default, file a motion within 60 days; the court must set them aside if you show good cause2.
  5. Still servePaying a sanction does not end your duty to serve1.

In Los Angeles County, the court's sanction program uses a failure-to-respond postcard and, in the sanctions process, an Order to Show Cause. If you receive either, follow the deadline and instructions on it. Qualified jurors still have to complete their service6.

What to do next

  1. Contact your court's jury office right away and register or reschedule.
  2. If sanctions were imposed by default, consider a motion to set them aside within 60 days; form JURY-010 may be used2.
Jury duty in CaliforniaAll the California rules.Postponing jury duty in CaliforniaGet a new date.

Sources

6 official sources, with the exact sentence each rule comes from
  1. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 209. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 209(b), (c)(2)."The monetary sanctions imposed pursuant to subdivision (b) may not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for the first violation, seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) for the second violation, and one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) for the third and any subsequent violation."
  2. Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.1010. Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.1010."The motion must be brought no later than 60 days after sanctions have been imposed."
  3. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 209. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 209(a)."Following an order to show cause hearing, the court may find the prospective juror in contempt of court, punishable by fine, incarceration, or both, as otherwise provided by law."
  4. Jury Service Frequently Asked Questions | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego. San Diego Superior Court, Jury Service FAQ #2 (citing Code Civ. Proc. § 209)."Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 209, any prospective juror who has been summoned for jury service and who fails to appear as directed, or who fails to respond to the Court, may be found in contempt of Court and may be placed in custody and/or fined."
  5. Judicial Branch of California - Jury Scam Alert. Judicial Council Jury Scam Alert."Court officials and law enforcement will also never ask you to purchase gift cards, cryptocurrency, payment apps on your smartphone, or wire transfers as part of your jury service."
  6. Juror FAQs | Superior Court of Los Angeles County. LASC Juror FAQs; LASC Juror Sanction Program page."Failure to report for service on the day instructed may subject you to a fine of up to $1,500. In addition, if you are qualified to serve, you will still have to complete your jury duty."

Reviewed by Roger K. Neustadt, JD, attorney admitted in Georgia. Verified November 10, 2026.

Roger K. Neustadt is admitted in Georgia; pages about other states and federal courts are general information checked against official sources. How we check every rule: editorial policy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

This page explains the law in general terms and is not legal advice. Jury Duty Explained is not affiliated with any court. Your summons and your court's instructions control, so check them first.