Receiving a summons to serve as a juror in Miami-Dade is not something to be taken lightly. Those who fail to appear without a valid justification may face fines of up to $100 and could even be held in contempt of court, according to the judicial rules of Florida.
The warning, also reported by Telemundo 51, is supported by the Miami-Dade court clerk, who reminds residents of the obligation to respond to summonses.
Although the penalty is outlined in state legislation, the matter has gained particular relevance after the neighboring county of Broward began implementing stricter measures against absenteeism. Since June 2026, those in violation may receive orders to appear before a judge or reschedule their service.
In October, a judge from Broward fined one of the citizens summoned for missing jury service.
One of the main concerns among Cuban-American citizens is what happens when they receive a court summons but do not speak English.
The lack of fluency in the language does not constitute an automatic exemption. The official instructions of Miami-Dade state that difficulties in understanding English are assessed in the courtroom.
Therefore, the summoned person must respond to the citation and follow the appearance instructions. If they have difficulties with the language, they should explain this to the judicial authorities.
Not all residents are required to serve as jurors. Permanent residents who are not yet U.S. citizens do not meet the eligibility requirements; however, if they receive a summons, they must formally request their disqualification and provide proof of their immigration status.
How to request an exemption or change the date?
The procedure is carried out through the Clearview Juror Portal, where citizens can register, complete the questionnaire, and request a postponement, an exemption, or disqualification up to seven days before the start date of service. The judicial office also accepts written requests accompanied by the necessary documentation.
Among the circumstances that may justify an exemption are being 70 years old or older, suffering from certain medical conditions, caring for a dependent person, having a child aged five or younger without working full-time, or having served as a juror in the past year.
If the assigned date is inconvenient, it is possible to request a postponement. The standard procedure must be carried out at least seven days before the date indicated in the summons. Subsequent requests are only granted under exceptional circumstances.
The summoned individuals remain available during the week indicated in their notice and receive instructions via email the preceding Friday on when they should report.
For inquiries, the court clerk can be reached at 786-828-5879, Monday to Friday, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Requests for exemption or disqualification must be submitted through the portal or in writing, not by phone.
Authorities also warn about scammers posing as judicial officials to demand immediate payments for alleged jury absences.
The initial citation is sent by postal mail. If someone calls or sends a message threatening arrests or fines to demand money, the official recommendation is not to pay or provide personal information and to contact the judicial office directly.
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