Arrested before dawn, three Philly residents are rounded up for new Juror Scofflaw Court
Philadelphians who don’t show up for jury duty will have to face the consequences: The Juror Scofflaw Court is now in session.
The court was resurrected in an effort to change this statistic: Only about 13 percent of people summoned for jury duty will appear on the scheduled day. The Philadelphia Inquirer has a report on the court and the plight of three residents who ignored multiple notices to show up for jury duty and for scofflaw court.
After receiving a warning that a bench warrant had been issued for their arrest, the three alleged scofflaws were arrested before dawn on Wednesday, hauled into court and kept in custody for the day. Two pleaded guilty, receiving fines of $300 and new court dates.
The third pleaded not guilty. She told the court she had been ill and on disability, and she didn’t seek a deferment because she had been “in a very dark place.” Her fine was $400.
