Jury service.

Under existing law, a prospective trial juror who has been summoned for jury service and fails to attend as directed or respond to the court may be compelled to attend, as specified. In addition, after an order to show cause hearing, the court may find the prospective juror in contempt of court, which is punishable by fine, incarceration, or both. Until January 1, 2010, existing law permits the court, in lieu of imposing penalties for contempt, to impose reasonable monetary sanctions of no more than $250 for a first violation, $750 for a 2nd violation, and $1,500 for the 3rd and any subsequent violation, upon a prospective juror who has failed to respond and who has not been excused, after first providing the prospective juror with notice and an opportunity to be heard, as specified. This bill would require the 2nd summons to be issued no earlier than 90 days after the initial failure to appear. This bill would also extend the above provisions indefinitely by deleting the January 1, 2010, termination date.