Broward County Jury Duty Fines Start June 2026

The 17th Judicial Circuit will begin penalizing Fort Lauderdale residents who skip jury duty, issuing Orders to Show Cause starting in June 2026.

Those who fail to appear face fines up to $100 and potential contempt of court charges, which can include jail time. The order requires defendants to explain their absence to a judge or reschedule within 60 days. Ignoring the order results in fines, contempt charges, or both.

Broward County has rarely enforced jury duty penalties in the past. The circuit announced the policy change in a May 25 opinion piece in the Sun Sentinel.