I got my summons recently and judging from the time, guessed I was up for a murder or something similar. I was willing and work was fine with it but I ended up not being picked. I kind of view it as while I was glad not to end up going, someone’s gotta do it. We all would likely benefit from a jury of our peers, which requires us actually participating in it to some degree. To your question, yes there are fines if you fail to appear without proper reason.

I’ve been on a jury in Aus. You have to attend but there are various options provided in the letter about how to get out of it. End of the day no magistrate wants someone on a jury who doesn’t want to be there so use one of the opportunities to say that politely and clearly and they will probably let you go.

I was in the electoral roll for more than thirty years before I was chosen for jury duty. The trial lasted for a week. It was eye-opening. I’d even go so far as to say that I had fun.

My wife received her call-up soon after she became a citizen. She’s done it twice.

I have received 2 summons. Failing to appear does result in a fine. Not sure if it’s a criminal or civil fine though.

I was not picked either time, the first time the person entered into a plea deal while we alwere all sitting in the waiting room.
Second time my number wasn’t called as they had the 12+ a spare.

My process was:

1. Received the letter stating my expected dates of attendance and the date I needed to send in an exemption request.
2. Received a second letter confirming I have not been exempted by my request, or either sides request and what website I need to check the night before if I am needed that day.
3. Attend the courthouse and get sent to the waiting room.
4. Watch an orientation video if what is expected of us and what we should expect.
5. Go into the courtroom and wait for our number to be called.

Not sure after that as I never stuck around.

I got a summons once while I was overseas on holiday. The deadline to return the form had passed by the time I got back. I sent in the reply envelope anyway explaining the situation.

That was like a decade ago, and I haven’t had the courts ask after me since.

In my 20 years in Australia I’ve been called up 4 times and been on a jury twice. Both trials were a mandatory life sentence if a guilty verdict was found. I have to say that I learnt a lot from the experience. I’d gladly do it again.

The two juries were both on the same 3 week period. We had just finished the first trial and got called in again for selection the next day, and were empanelled again within hours. Half the jury on my second trial had been in the first, so we were seasoned veterans by that point.

I received two or three summons letters during a few months period when my name was on the shortlist (close on ten years ago). Each time I checked online close to the date to see if the trial was still going ahead and they all ended up having been called off for whatever reason so I never got to see further along the process.