21-year-old who overslept and skipped jury duty

sentenced to 10 days in jail

The news article is about a student, Deandre Somerville, 21, who failed to attend a jury
duty after being summoned and sworn in as one during his summer. According to Somerville,
he overslept and did not bother to go to the courthouse anymore or call the bailiff, hoping it
would just all work out. He thought the worst case that could happen was to pay a fine.
However, he received a subpoena to appear before a judge a month later to explain his case.
He was initially sentenced a 10 days in jail, one-year probation and a 150-hour of community
service. He was also required to write a letter of apology and to pay $223 to cover court costs.
According to Palm Beach County Circuit Judge John S. Kastrenakes, the administration of justice
depends on sworn jurors, so it was really serious, not to mention that the trial was delayed for
45 minutes waiting for him. At the hearing, after reading his letter of apology aloud, some of his
sentences were reduced to 3-month probation and 30 hours of community service where a 10-
minute weekly talk to jurors about the importance of juror duty will count to three hours of
community service. Though it was uncomfortable, Somerville just took it as a learning
experience.

I think this news is very interesting. The case seems to be a simple missing of a day’s
schedule but the fact how the court takes a jury’s duty for delivering justice could actually mean
a criminal contempt of court and could send a sworn juror to jail. At the start, I felt it was unfair
and very strict, but knowing the reason of the court gives sense to that kind of consequence.
The case was well explained although it was a simple statement of each party’s stories and
reasoning, that it also reminds me and I believe any reader, how we should be responsible and
accountable to our words and promises. It shows that swearing before a court and the law is
really a high responsibility. And whatever decision or action should be thought of well and
seriously. But it’s nice if there would always be consideration for every situation. This kind of
stories is also one eye opener both for social and legal responsibilities of a person.

GLENN D. IBIAS
ICT 2 – OPHIUCHUS
21-year-old who overslept and skipped jury duty
sentenced to 10 days in jail
WPTV reports that Deandre Somerville, 21, failed to attend a civil case trial the day after
being sworn in as a juror. Somerville had received his first ever summons for jury duty
over the summer. He described it as a little intimidating and a little boring. After a long
day of sitting and waiting, Somerville said he was picked to serve as a juror and was
told to return the following day at 9 a.m.

But he missed his alarm and woke up around 11 or 11:30 a.m. It was almost time to
head to his afternoon job so he didn’t bother going to the courthouse or calling the
bailiff. He just hoped it would all just work out.

The trial was delayed for almost an hour while the court tried to reach him. Because they
were unable to do so, and he did not alert the jury office of his situation, Somerville was
served a subpoena to appear before a judge a month later on September 23. He was
asked to explain to Palm Beach County Circuit Judge John S. Kastrenakes why he did not
appear in court that day as a juror.

The judge found Somerville in criminal contempt of court.

Kastrenakes initially ordered a sentence of 10 days in jail, one year of probation and 150
hours of community service. Somerville was also required to write a letter of apology to
the court and pay $223 to cover court costs.

At a hearing on Friday, Somerville read his letter of apology aloud to the court.

At the hearing, Judge Kastrenakes reduced Mr. Somerville’s probation from 12 months
to three months, and community service from 150 to 30 hours.

Kastrenakes also said he would drop the contempt of court conviction from his record if
he met the conditions of his probation.

For community service, Somerville must give weekly 10-minute talks to jurors about the
importance of jury duty. Each appearance will count for three hours of service.

Kastrenakes declined to comment about the case to ABC News, citing privacy laws, but
said he wished he could speak “because I don’t think everybody got the facts right.”

As for his time in jail, Somerville said he “didn’t feel comfortable at all.”