UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
__________________
In Re: PROCEDURES REGARDING
JURORS WHO FAIL TO APPEAR Administrative Order
______________________________/ No. 24-MS-043
If any person summoned for possible service in a grand or petit jury fails to appear as
directed, the following procedures shall apply:
A. The Clerk shall issue a notification to the summoned person, directing the person to
contact the jury clerk. If the person presents a reasonable excuse for failure to appear,
the jury clerk has discretion to continue the person’s appearance to another term. If the
person fails to contact the jury clerk or presents an unacceptable excuse, the jury clerk
shall first verify the juror’s address and then refer the matter to the designated
magistrate judge.
B. The designated magistrate judge may issue an order to show cause directing the person
to appear and show cause why the person should not be held in contempt of court for
failure to appear for jury service as summoned. The order to show cause shall be served
upon the person by certified mail to the person’s last known current address, unless
otherwise directed.
C. If a person fails to appear as ordered, a warrant may be issued for the person’s arrest. A
person so arrested shall be taken before a United States Magistrate Judge of this court
for further proceedings.
Any person appearing before the Court in response to an order to show cause or warrant
for arrest shall show cause why the person should not be held in contempt for failure to appear for
the jury service as summoned. If the person presents a reasonable excuse, the designated magistrate
judge shall have discretion to continue, excuse, or defer the juror’s service. Otherwise, the
designated magistrate judge shall forthwith certify facts establishing probable cause and refer the
matter to the Chief Judge for scheduling of a contempt hearing. 28 U.S.C. § 636(e). The Chief
Judge shall thereupon hear the evidence and, if it is such as to warrant punishment, punish such
person for contempt of court for noncompliance with a summons. The person may be fined not
more than $1,000, imprisoned not more than three days, ordered to perform community service,
or any combination thereof. 28 U.S.C. § 1866(g).
This order supersedes Administrative Order 01-002.
FOR THE COURT:
Dated: June 17, 2024
HALA Y. JARBOU
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
