The Juror Qualification Questionnaire
A Juror Qualification Questionnaire is NOT an order to appear in court. It is essentially a background survey sent out to thousands of citizens to build the 'Master Jury Wheel' for the upcoming year.
The court uses this questionnaire to determine if you are legally eligible to serve. They ask basic questions: Are you a US Citizen? Are you over 18? Do you have any felony convictions? If you receive this document, you must fill it out and return it (usually online via a secure portal), but you do not have a court date yet.
The Jury Summons
A Jury Summons is the real deal. This is a legally binding court order commanding you to appear at a specific courthouse on a specific date and time. It means you have been pulled from the Master Wheel and assigned to a potential trial.
If you ignore a summons, a judge can issue a bench warrant for your arrest or hit you with severe fines. A summons will have clear instructions on where to park, what to wear, and how to call the night before to see if your group has been canceled.
Can I Ignore the Questionnaire?
No. Ignoring a qualification questionnaire can result in penalties, and the court will likely just follow up by sending you an actual summons anyway. Fill it out promptly; if you have a disqualifying factor (like not living in the county anymore), this is your chance to clear your name from the list.