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

Missed jury duty in Texas

The fines Texas law allows, what some counties do when you miss your date, and how to spot scam calls.

If you do not comply with a Texas jury summons, you can be held in contempt and fined $100 to $1,0001. A separate law sets a fine of $100 to $500 for failing to attend without a reasonable excuse2. Contact your county's jury office right away.

Verified November 10, 2026 by Roger K. NeustadtSee sources

Texas Government Code § 62.0141:

In addition to any criminal penalty prescribed by law, a person summoned for jury service who does not comply with the summons as required by law or who knowingly provides false information in a request for an exemption or to be excused from jury service is subject to a contempt action punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000.

Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0141

The fines

Fine ranges

Not complying with a summons
$100 to $1,000
Contempt; also for false information in an exemption or excuse request1
Failing to attend without a reasonable excuse
$100 to $500
Also for filing a false claim of exemption2
Grand juror who fails to attend
$100 to $500
If legally summoned and without a reasonable excuse3

The same conduct can fall under both sections. The contempt fine applies in addition to any criminal penalty prescribed by law1, but neither section says whether both fines can be imposed for the same act2.

Common situations

IfYou missed your date in Dallas County
Dallas County's FAQ says that if circumstances beyond your control kept you from appearing, you have a two-week grace period to send Jury Services a letter of explanation and be rescheduled4.
IfYou claimed an exemption you did not have
Knowingly giving false information can bring contempt and a fine of $100 to $1,0001; filing a false claim of exemption also carries a $100 to $500 fine2.
IfYour county closed on your report date (Dallas County)
Your summons is canceled and you do not need to reschedule5.

What to do next

  1. Call or email your county's jury office using the contact details on your summons.
  2. Ask for a new date and keep a record of it.
  3. Do not pay anyone who calls demanding a fine; hang up and call the jury office yourself6.
Jury duty in TexasAll the Texas rules.Postponing jury duty in TexasGet a new date.

Sources

8 official sources, with the exact sentence each rule comes from
  1. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0141 – Failure to Answer Jury Summons. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0141."In addition to any criminal penalty prescribed by law, a person summoned for jury service who does not comply with the summons as required by law or who knowingly provides false information in a request for an exemption or to be excused from jury service is subject to a contempt action punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000."
  2. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.111 – Penalty for Defaulting Jurors. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.111."A juror lawfully notified shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500 if the juror: (1) fails to attend court in obedience to the notice without reasonable excuse; or (2) files a false claim of exemption from jury service."
  3. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 19A.054 – Failure to Attend. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 19A.054."The court, by an order entered on the record, may impose a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500 on a legally summoned grand juror who fails to attend without a reasonable excuse."
  4. Dallas County Jury Services - Frequently Asked Questions. Dallas County Jury Services FAQ."No, you will not be arrested. There is a 2 week grace period in which you may send a letter of explanation to the Jury Services Department and you will be rescheduled."
  5. Dallas County - Jury Services. Dallas County Jury Services home page."If you receive a juror summons to report on a date that is the subject of a broadcast imposing a closure of Dallas County Government operations, your juror summons will be canceled. You will also receive a notification from Jury services by text and/or email and you do not need to reschedule your jury duty."
  6. Jury Scam, Tarrant County Jury Services (tarrantcountytx.gov). Tarrant County Jury Services scam notice."Tarrant County Jury Services would never contact you by phone to pay a fine for failing to appear for jury service. Typically, we would send a failed to appear notice before taking any action. If a warrant is issued for your arrest, there is no warning phone call. The courts do not allow citizens to pay a fine in lieu of jury service."
  7. Jury Duty Scam, Travis County District Clerk (traviscountytx.gov). Travis County District Clerk jury duty scam notice."The Travis County Sheriff’s Office or any Travis County Judges will never call residents regarding jury duty, nor with they ask for payment via wire transfer or gift cards."
  8. Harris County District Clerk - Getting Prepared (Jury Services page template). Harris County District Clerk, Jury Services page (Beware of identity thieves)."The District Clerk’s Office and local courts will only contact you by e-mail or text to let you know when and where to report for jury service as well as to remind you of your upcoming service."

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.