If You Don't Report

By law, jury service is compulsory in the District of Columbia.The Court regularly conducts“ show cause” hearings for those who fail to comply with the terms of the summons.The hearings, scheduled exclusively on Friday mornings before the Chief Judge, afford jurors the opportunity to explain their failure to report for service as originally scheduled.

Staff members of the Jurors’ Office are not authorized to excuse jurors from a show cause hearing once the notice to appear has been issued.Jurors must report for the hearing in person.Those who believe that they are ineligible to serve may provide written documentation at the time of the hearing.