21-Year-Old Man Oversleeps His Jury Duty So Judge Sentences Him To 10 Days In Prison

Oct 08, 2019 by apost team

Jury duty isn't something people embrace. Spending time on a jury, while a civic duty, requires shifting schedules to accommodate the court system. In many jurisdictions, people flat out don't show up when called. Doing so puts them at risk for jail time, but this is a rare occurrence.

Deandre Somerville of Florida didn't purposely skip out on jury duty. The 21-year-old overslept. According to ABC News, the judge then sentenced the young man to 10 days in jail, a fine, 150 hours of community service, and one year of probation. The sentence seems outrageous considering Somerville's situation.

Somerville made the mistake of not calling the courthouse and informing someone he overslept. Instead, he went to work. Somerville had no experience with the jury system before and did not realize he could get in trouble. Unfortunately, the judge was furious that the young man missed the first day of a civil suit trial.

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Somerville had no previous criminal record. He is also tasked with caring for his disabled grandfather. The elder relative suffered a heart attack and experienced limited mobility. Somerville serves as his grandfather's primary caretaker.

The judge noted that Somerville did not answer his phone when called. He pointed out the trial suffered a 45-minute delay due to Somerville's no show. As a result, the judge found Somerville guilty of "direct criminal contempt," and told the young man he faces jail time if he violates probation.

Somerville apologized for his conduct but was taken to the local jail to serve a 10-day sentence.

The story serves as a cautionary tale and a warning. No one knows how the courts will react when someone faces charges. People who committed far more serious crimes than Somerville often find charges dismissed or withdrawn. Justice proved harsh for the 21-year-old.

Do your part to make people realize why running into trouble with the courts can be disastrous. If they hear about the story, they might avoid making costly mistakes.