AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Those thinking about skipping out on jury duty might want to think again.
If legislation on Gov. Rick Perry's desk is signed, fines could increase.
The bill deals with two things.
One would increase the penalty that allows judges to fine jurors for not showing up or filing a false claim. That goes from a minimum of $10 to now $100, and the fine can go as high as $500.
The second increases the punishment for jurors not showing up in trial. The fine for that increases from a previous fine of $50 to a maximum of $500.
District Attorney Randall Sims said these new rules could help in getting people to show up for court.
"I would hope so. Potter County consistently had a one-third appearence rate, a one-third exemption filed rate, a one-third no-show approximately, and if more people would show up then the ones that do show up will have been called less often," said Sims, the 47th district attorney.
If Perry signs the bill, it would take effect September 1.
