Colchester Woman Faces Federal Hearing for Missing Jury Duty in Burlington

A Colchester woman, who officials say failed to appear for jury selection when summoned to U.S. District Court in Burlington last month, has been ordered to appear before a federal judge this week to explain why. Alissa Butkovich of Bay Road was among about 80 people from eight northern Vermont counties who were directed to report on March 14 for possible jury selection in a criminal case at the federal courthouse. Now Chief Federal Judge Christina Reiss has set a show cause hearing for Butkovich on why she should not be found in violation of the Federal Jury Service and Selection Act for failing to appear. Under federal law, a person who fails to show good cause for noncompliance with a jury summons may be fined not more than $1,000, imprisoned not more than three days, ordered to perform community service, or any combination thereof. Unlike the Vermont state court system, which does little or nothing about defendants and jurors ignoring judicial orders, the federal court in Vermont takes a dim view of people who disregard judicial directives.