By Kim Wilmath and Alexandra Zayas, Times Staff Writers
Monday, October 3, 2011
To 387 jurors who skipped jury duty in Tampa on Monday, Judge Gregory P. Holder issues a stern warning and a court summons.
TAMPA — If you're one of the 387 people who skipped jury duty Monday morning in Hillsborough County, be warned:
A judge is coming after you.
Struggling to seat a panel for trial, Circuit Judge Gregory Holder decided he would do something to show Monday's no-shows there are consequences for dodging duty.
He issued an "order to show cause," which will summon absentees to a hearing Nov. 4 for questioning. Those without legitimate excuses could be fined $100 or put in jail for six months for contempt of court. If Monday's absentees don't show up that day, Holder said he will issue arrest warrants.
The trigger for Holder's frustration: It ...