Legal Alert: Senior Citizen Scams (August 2020)
A recently reported scam that the Florida Attorney General Office is warning about is a jury duty scam in which persons posing as law enforcement or judicial officers tell persons they have missed jury duty and must immediately pay a fine or face imprisonment or other penalties. The scammers in this case take advantage of anyone who may be confused about jury duty requirements, especially in light of the recent cancellations due to Covid-19 and these scammers prey on that confusion and seek to instill fear.
The truth of the matter is that many local courts are working on pilot programs to bring back jury trials these days but that any prospective jurors will be contacted via mail/summons and will be provided information on attending or seeking excuse from attending. Even if you should inadvertently miss jury duty, Seniors should know that law and judicial officers DO NOT enforce jury attendance by demanding fees or “fines”. If you have any questions about jury duty, attendance they should instead contact their local Clerk of Court (jury division) to inquire accordingly.
The truth of the matter is that many local courts are working on pilot programs to bring back jury trials these days but that any prospective jurors will be contacted via mail/summons and will be provided information on attending or seeking excuse from attending. Even if you should inadvertently miss jury duty, Seniors should know that law and judicial officers DO NOT enforce jury attendance by demanding fees or “fines”. If you have any questions about jury duty, attendance they should instead contact their local Clerk of Court (jury division) to inquire accordingly.
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