BILL WOULD PROHIBIT SENTENCING NO-SHOW JURORS TO MORE THAN THREE DAYS
IN JAIL
On February 21, 2023, Jim Ash reported that a South Florida lawmaker is renewing an attempt to limit the sanctions a court can impose upon someone who
misses jury duty.
The measure, SB 638, filed by Sen. Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach on February 16 has been referred to the Judiciary, Rules, and Criminal
Justice committees.
The measure states that failure to appear "may" be considered contempt of court but it would limit sanctions for failure to appear for
jury duty "without a sufficient excuse." The penalty could result in a $1,000 fine, community service, three days in jail, or any combination thereof.
It
also states that the court "may not order any term of imprisonment for contempt of court under this paragraph unless the person is able to obtain legal representation."
The measure was first filed in 2019 by Powell after Deandre Sommerville, a 21 year old with no criminal record, had received a 10-day sentence. His record was eventually expunged by a judge.
