canada jury
Absence for jury summons
<p>I know there are penalties for <strong>ignoring</strong> the jury summons, but what about missing the summons letter entirely?</p>

<p>By missing, I mean not being present for both the initial letter <strong>and</strong> the actual date of the jury panel. Hence, it was not physically possible to appear since the person would have no knowledge of the summons.</p>

<p>Also, if being absent does change the legality of the matter, what would count as sufficient evidence?
(If this is a separate question I will remove it)</p>

<p>Disclosure: This did happen to me, in Canada.</p>

<p>This happened to me many years ago in New South Wales; I wrote a letter (see how long ago it was!) to the sheriff explaining the circumstances and they waived the fine; if this had not worked I would have had the option of paying the fine or going before a magistrate to contest it. New South Wales is not Canada; your results may differ.</p>

<p>No matter what the jurisdiction it is difficult to see the justice in fining someone for failing to attend a summons of which they genuinely had no knowledge.</p>
