Section 15 - Failure to Appear; Contempt; Failure to Perform Jury Service(1) A person summoned for jury service who fails to appear as directed shall be ordered by the court to appear forthwith and show cause for failure to comply with the summons. If the person summoned fails to show good cause for noncompliance with the summons, he or she may be punished for contempt.(2) If the chief circuit judge or designee wishes to attempt additional contact with the prospective juror before issuing an order to appear forthwith and show cause, he or she may utilize the following failure to appear process: (a) Within 14 days of the date required to report for jury service, a failure to appear postcard shall be mailed to the prospective juror. The postcard [which must be ordered from the Administrative Office of the Courts] will notify the prospective juror of his or her delinquency status and advise him or her to contact the court within five days. If the prospective juror contacts the court, he or she will be directed to complete a juror qualification form, if not previously completed, and either be disqualified, excused, or postponed to serve as outlined in Sections 8 and 9 of these Rules.(b) If after 30 days from the date the failure to appear postcard was mailed the prospective juror has not contacted the court, a failure to appear notice shall be mailed advising the prospective juror that if he or she does not contact the court within five days, he or she will be ordered by the court to appear forthwith and show cause for his or her failure to comply with the summons. If the prospective juror contacts the court, he or she will be directed to complete a juror qualification form, if not previously completed, and either be disqualified, excused, or postponed to serve as outlined in Sections 8 and 9 of these Rules.(c) If after 30 days from the date the failure to appear notice was mailed the prospective juror has not contacted the court, the court shall issue an order to show cause. The order for show cause shall be served by first-class mail.(d) If the prospective juror fails to appear at the show cause hearing or fails to show good cause for noncompliance with the summons, the prospective juror may be held in contempt of court and fined, sent to jail, or both.(3) A juror who fails to give attention at court, or who leaves the courthouse while the court is in session, or who otherwise fails to complete jury service, without leave of the court, may be punished for contempt.Ky. Admin. P. Ct. Justice. 15
Amended by Order 2020-73, eff. 12/2/2020; amended by Order 2017-04, eff. 10/1/2017; adopted by Order 91-2, eff. 11/15/1991.