Summit County Common Pleas Court Administrative Judge Alison McCarty and Presiding Judge Kani H. Hightower announced today that Summit County residents should be aware of a jury scam resurfacing in our community. The Court is issuing this advisory warning to residents to alert them that they may receive a phone call from someone claiming to be law enforcement. During the call, the person reportedly acts aggressively to demand money and to threaten the arrest of the recipient who allegedly missed their jury duty appointment.
When a juror misses scheduled jury service, the Summit County Jury Commissioner’s office will send a letter asking the juror to contact their office to reschedule jury service. Residents will never be contacted by phone from the Jury Commissioner’s office or from law enforcement regarding this issue. Furthermore, no law enforcement officer will ever ask for payment of any type for a missed jury service date.
Common Pleas Presiding Judge Kani H. Hightower who oversees the Jury and Grand Jury proceedings for the General Division had this to say “Jury service is a necessary, important function in our justice system. We do not take lightly any exploitation or harassment of potential jurors.”
If you have already provided confidential information to someone who has identified himself or herself as a representative of law enforcement, you should take the necessary steps to protect your identity and to report these fraudulent actions to your local law enforcement agency or to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office at 330-643-8618.