Jury Summons
It is an offence to disobey a jury summons, or directions given in accordance with the summons. Failure to attend jury service may result in an $800 infringement. The maximum penalty is $5,000.
This means a summoned person must attend at the place and time stated on the summons as directed until they have been discharged unless a deferral or excusal application has been granted prior to the summons attendance date.
A jury summons is posted to the current enrolled address as recorded by the WA Electoral Commission (WAEC).
If a person has moved to another residence and does not notify the WAEC of their new address, then they may not realise they have been summoned. The consequence being an infringement is issued for failing to obey a summons.
It is therefore the responsibility of the summoned person to ensure they maintain their current address details with the WAEC. Enrolment details can be confirmed and updated via the WAEC website.
If an infringement remains outstanding, or a final demand is unpaid, it will automatically be referred to the Fines Enforcement Registry for enforcement. This may result in a suspension of a driver’s license or other sanctions if left outstanding.
Once an infringement is paid, the matter is considered finalised, and can no longer be disputed.
Employers
Under the Juries Act 1957 it is an offence for an employer to act or threaten to act in a prejudicial way towards an employee if they have received a summons for jury service.
There is a penalty of $10,000 for individual employers and $50,000 for corporations if an employer should:
a) terminate the employee’s employment
b) cease remunerating the employee
c) reduce the employee’s remuneration
d) otherwise act so as to prejudice the employee in relation to his or her employment with the employer
e) threaten to take an action described in any of paragraphs (a) to (d).
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