Fines for AWOL Jurors

They can't say they weren't warned.
 
A western Pennsylvania county has begun fining no-show jurors $100 each, after months of warning citizens that too many people are ignoring jury summonses.
 
Cambria County court administrator William Valko tells the (Johnstown) Tribune-Democrat that six people were fined $100 on Tuesday - and 11 others were ordered to return at a later date for jury duty.
 
County Judge Timothy Creany issued a stern warning when 45 of 215 residents were AWOL after being summoned in February.  Things improved somewhat when 28 of 183 people didn't show up in April, but the county's judges have been mulling ways to improve responses and, finally, resorted to fines.
 
Creany says summonses are being clarified "to make it clear that it's not an optional thing, that they must appear."