FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Widespread mail delays are affecting court systems across Georgia. In Atlanta, one man said he was afraid he'd end up in jail after failing to show up for jury duty-- all because he received his summons over two months late.
Jack Rosenthal said he had checked his mailbox on June 3 and found a jury summons from the Fulton County Superior Court. However, the service date asked him to show up on April 8, two months before he received the official summons.
"I'm thinking this thing was mailed out in March... had to have been if it was for jury service in April," Rosenthal said. "I was concerned that a bench warrant might have been issued, something like that."
He said he tried contacting Fulton County but did not get a response. When Rosenthal looked it up online, his juror status showed as "ended."
However, several others have also contacted 11Alive about problems receiving official documents like proper notice about their court dates. It has resulted in bench warrants in other Georgia Judicial Circuits and has created a huge burden on the legal system to make sure people are getting notified within certain timelines required by law.
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In Cobb County, a judge said currently, they won't issue a bench warrant until they're 100% sure someone received their notice because they're aware of so many mail delays.
If there's any doubt, a case is reset. Now, instead of worrying about whether he'll end up in jail, Rosenthal said he's more concerned about the larger public safety issue.
"I am sure I am not the only one who is getting his jury summons two months late," he added. "These roadblocks do not exactly inspire confidence."
11Alive asked Fulton County about what to do if you received a jury summons after your date. The county said to contact jury services to reschedule.
Currently, because of mail delays, no one is being punished for failing to appear. Fulton County said they're giving the benefit of the doubt and sending summons 55 days in advance now because of the mail delays.