Q: Can you really get in trouble if you don’t answer jury questionnaire in New York State ?
A:
Yes. Pursuant to New York Judiciary Law Section 527, any person who fails to respond to a jury questionnaire served personally or by U.S Mail, and further fails to comply after being served with a “notice of non compliance” personally or via U.S. Mail, may be subject to a “noncompliance proceeding” brought by the commissioner of jurors. Upon proof of noncompliance after proper notice, such person “shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars for failing to respond” to the jury questionnaire.
If you persist in ignoring jury questionnaires and/or summonses, you may be subject to criminal prosecution for contempt under Penal Law Section 215.50.
There are legitimate reasons to seek to be excused from jury duty, but you must comply with the law.
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