ORANGE COUNTY, Fla -- It's a national epidemic and it's hitting Orange County particularly hard. In a given week, hundreds of people don't show up for jury duty. And with a slumping economy, judges fear it could get worse.

Budget cuts at the courthouse have turned the focus on pleasing those who do attend instead of arresting those who do not. To try and make it more attractive, Orange County has added, free cable TV, free internet use, and free childcare. Orange County says the cost of operating its high tech jury room is minimal. The computers were in surplus and some of the old televisions were taken from different courtrooms during the transition to flat panel sets.

The Court Administrator, Matt Benefiel says it's the new cost of doing business, when trying to lure people in a struggling economy.

"It is about minimal impact on citizens to make sure (they are) as comfortable as possible for what really is our most important client," said Benefiel.

But getting those clients, in this case, jurors to take the bait is not easy. On an average day, 600 people are summoned for duty in Orange County and half, or fewer show.

Julie Altenbach took time off as a teacher to do her civic duty.

"The numbers two through 500 were supposed to show up and they say there were approximately 150 people here today, so obviously a large number didn't bother," said Altenbach.

Orange County says it factors no-shows into its weekly list. The man in charge of the jury pool says there are three main factors for a 50-percent attendance rate: a wrong address, forgetfulness, or financial hardship.

Juror Troy Lattimore knows how hourly workers are affected first-hand.

"I barely could afford to come in," said Lattimore. "I had to do a lot of changing around to make it here, so I can understand where people are coming from, when they say that (they can’t attend).”

Orange County judge Lisa Munyon said she hears all kinds of excuses during jury selection. Finances are becoming more and more common.

“If they bring that up and can't make their rent or mortgage payment, they need to be excused from a lengthy trial," said the judge.

Jurors do get paid, but not much. And not being able to afford to serve is a popular excuse according to Court Administrator Benefiel.

"When you’re paying nothing or $15 a day, it's a financial hardship, no matter what the economy is like," he said.

Financial hardship isn't just an excuse being used by jurors. With overflowing dockets, recent staff furloughing and the cost of postage, no-shows rarely if ever are punished, despite a law that states failure to show is a punishable offense. But because of the budget cutbacks, justice is not being sought. Judge Munyon said there may come a day when the system doesn’t look the other way but, "They can't count on that."