MENDOCINO CO., CA., 6/10/26 — After a Mendocino County Superior Court judge ordered 87 county residents to appear in court in recent months to explain why they missed their jury duty dates despite repeated summons, about 25 people who did not show up will receive a $600 fine that will be mailed out this month, court officials announced this week.
According to Court Executive Officer Kim Turner, in the last couple of years, the number of Mendocino County residents that fail to appear for jury service has prevented the court from moving forward with some jury trials, having to postpone them for not having enough jurors.
Eighty-seven Mendocino County residents were ordered to appear at juror compliance hearings in April and May to state their reasons for missing jury duty, the court announced Monday. Those who went to the hearings were able to explain to Judge Keith Faulder why they did not comply with repeated jury summons. According to the court, some had legitimate reasons for missing jury duty and were dismissed, but many did not understand that jury service is required for every U.S. citizen unless they have a medical or other legitimate reason to be excused.
Turner said about 25 residents did not come to the hearings as ordered and are now subject to a monetary sanction and will be receiving notices that they must pay a $600 fine for disregarding a direct order from the court to appear. The notices will be mailed out by the middle of June, court officials said.
Worth the 600 dollars, I think I saved money!