Ky. Sup. Ct. Order 2020-73 § 15

Failure to Appear; Contempt; Failure to Perform Jury Service

(1) A person summoned for jury service who fails to appear as directed shall

be ordered by the court to appear forthwith and show cause for failure to

comply with the summons. If the person summoned fails to show good

cause for noncompliance with the summons, he or she may be punished

for contempt.

(2) If the chief circuit judge or designee wishes to attempt additional contact

with the prospective juror before issuing an order to appear forthwith

and show cause, he or she may utilize the following failure to appear

process:

(a) Within 14 days of the date required to report for jury service, a

failure to appear postcard shall be mailed to the prospective juror.

The postcard [which must be ordered from the Administrative Office

of the Courts] will notify the prospective juror of his or her

delinquency status and advise him or her to contact the court within

five days. If the prospective juror contacts the court, he or she will be

directed to complete a juror qualification form, if not previously

completed, and either be disqualified, excused, or postponed to serve

as outlined in Sections 8 and 9 of these Rules.

(b) If after 30 days from the date the failure to appear postcard was

mailed the prospective juror has not contacted the court, a failure to

appear notice shall be mailed advising the prospective juror that if he

or she does not contact the court within five days, he or she will be

ordered by the court to appear forthwith and show cause for his or

her failure to comply with the summons. If the prospective juror

contacts the court, he or she will be directed to complete a juror

qualification form, if not previously completed, and either be

disqualified, excused, or postponed to serve as outlined in Sections 8

and 9 of these Rules.

(c) If after 30 days from the date the failure to appear notice was mailed

the prospective juror has not contacted the court, the court shall

issue an order to show cause. The order for show cause shall be

served by first-class mail.

(d) If the prospective juror fails to appear at the show cause hearing or

fails to show good cause for noncompliance with the summons, the

prospective juror may be held in contempt of court and fined, sent to

jail, or both.

(3) A juror who fails to give attention at court, or who leaves the courthouse

while the court is in session, or who otherwise fails to complete jury

service, without leave of the court, may be punished for contempt.