BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Dozens of people in Brevard County learned the hard way, on Friday, not to skip jury duty.
The county's chief judge fined dozens of people who did not show up for jury duty.
In all, 102 two potential jurors were sent letters regarding skipping out on jury duty and had to either pay up or explain themselves.
"We can't do it if we don't have jurors who don't show up," said Chief Judge Charles Roberts.
Frustrated with the fact recently more jurors are skipping out on jury duty than showing up, Chief Judge Charles Roberts summoned more than 100 jury dodgers to the courthouse to force them to explain their absence.
"This is not a new problem, but it needs to be a problem of the past," Roberts told the group.
In the jury room, Judge A.B. Majeed gave them a lesson on the Constitution and their responsibilities.
"All that we ask of you is to preserve this right for your children and grandchildren. Is that too much to ask, my friends," said Majeed.
Roberts said the courthouse was recently paralyzed by juror no-shows. He gave them the opportunity to pay a $25 fine, reschedule jury duty and leave, or be heard.
"I thought that I would be done with school within that week," said a student, as to why he missed jury duty.
"I just got laid off and I got a new job in Mississippi," a former shuttle worker told the judge.
There was an assortment of excuses, some were acceptable but most were not.
Shelly Bobango thought the judge was fair while making an example of the group.
"I do believe that is a message that's being sent to the public that you better show up when you get a jury summons. I learned a lesson," said Bobango.
Under Florida law, you could be fined up to $100 for not showing up for jury duty. The two dozen people who skipped out on Friday, now for the second time, could now end up with bench warrants.
WFTV
