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NATCHEZ—If you ignore a summons for jury duty, don’t be surprised when a sheriff’s deputy shows up at your doorstep to take you to jail.

“There is an unacceptable trend in Adams County courts right now. People are not showing up for jury duty,” Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said.

For a recent Sixth District Court trial, 300 jury summons were sent out, but only 69 people showed up.

“We appreciate those who serve on jury duty, but you can’t try murder cases or rape cases or any other cases without a jury,” Patten said. “Here is what I don’t want to do. I don’t want to start rounding folks up for jury duty.

If you get a jury summons, you are required by law to show up for jury duty.

“The judges and attorneys are tired of it. We can’t have this part of the judicial system lacking because it slows down the process of getting justice for victims,” he said.

Failure to comply with a jury summons is punishable by a $500 fine, three days of imprisonment, or both.

“We are asking the public to take this as a warning,” Patten said. “We need our citizens to do their civic duty by showing up when they are summoned to jury duty. Once you are summoned, show up. If you go before the judge and give your reason why you can’t sit on a jury, you may be excused. The judge will give you a list of reasons that are acceptable. The one reason not acceptable is simply not showing up. We are asking the public to take this as a warning.”