Aussie mum receives shocking fines after her dream holiday: 'It's very strange'
- Replies 29
Returning from a dream holiday should be a time of reminiscing and relaxation.
Yet, for one mum, the post-vacation glow got harshly dimmed by an unexpected letter waiting in her mailbox.
As she sifted through her mail, the Sydney-based mum saw an overdue penalty notice for a court case dating back to May.
The kicker was that the notice included a hefty fine of $1,715 associated with the case.
She took to social media, seeking advice from fellow local mums on how to get the fine 'ditched'.
'I did not get this by the due date of 9 October. However, I have also never seen the jury notice for 28 May nor any other notices since. So I'm in total and absolute shock,' she wrote in a post.
The fine, issued by Service NSW, was for failing to attend jury duty—a civic responsibility that could lead to penalties if ignored.
However, the woman was unaware she had been summoned in the first place.
The woman, who has not changed addresses in decades, expressed her frustration about the situation.
'The only mail I've received on the matter at all is this fine enforcement notice on return from overseas. It's very strange,' she said.
'How can I prove I never received the original notice?'
Her situation was not an isolated case—other Sydney locals chimed in with similar tales.
One individual discovered a $1,000 fine after logging onto Service NSW to pay a different bill.
'I had never received or seen a notice regarding jury duty or the associated fine,' the person shared.
Others, however, successfully pleaded their cases to the authorities.
'This happened to me a couple of months ago. You just call them and explain what happened. They are very understanding,' a commenter shared.
'I was not travelling and was at the same address; I just did not receive the notice to serve jury duty. I wrote to them to explain my reason for not attending.' another explained, which resulted in waived fines.
This incident served as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of keeping personal details up to date and understanding the responsibilities of jury duty.
According to the state's Department of Communities and Justice, failing to attend jury service without an accepted excuse could result in fines of up to $2,200.
However, individuals who received fines may apply for a fine review by a magistrate at a local court.
Fines may be waived if the individual attended jury duty, did not receive notices from the NSW Sheriff's office, or had legitimate reasons to miss jury duty.
It's crucial to be aware of the jury duty process.
If you receive a fine for failure to appear for jury service, reach out to Service NSW or the equivalent agency in your state.
It's also worth consulting with a legal professional if you're unsure of how to proceed.
Have you or someone you know ever faced a similar situation? How was it resolved? Share your stories and tips in the comments below.
Yet, for one mum, the post-vacation glow got harshly dimmed by an unexpected letter waiting in her mailbox.
As she sifted through her mail, the Sydney-based mum saw an overdue penalty notice for a court case dating back to May.
The kicker was that the notice included a hefty fine of $1,715 associated with the case.
She took to social media, seeking advice from fellow local mums on how to get the fine 'ditched'.
A woman received hefty fines after allegedly not showing up for jury duty. Image Credit: Pexels/Cottonbro Studio
'I did not get this by the due date of 9 October. However, I have also never seen the jury notice for 28 May nor any other notices since. So I'm in total and absolute shock,' she wrote in a post.
The fine, issued by Service NSW, was for failing to attend jury duty—a civic responsibility that could lead to penalties if ignored.
However, the woman was unaware she had been summoned in the first place.
The woman, who has not changed addresses in decades, expressed her frustration about the situation.
'The only mail I've received on the matter at all is this fine enforcement notice on return from overseas. It's very strange,' she said.
'How can I prove I never received the original notice?'
Her situation was not an isolated case—other Sydney locals chimed in with similar tales.
One individual discovered a $1,000 fine after logging onto Service NSW to pay a different bill.
'I had never received or seen a notice regarding jury duty or the associated fine,' the person shared.
Others, however, successfully pleaded their cases to the authorities.
'This happened to me a couple of months ago. You just call them and explain what happened. They are very understanding,' a commenter shared.
'I was not travelling and was at the same address; I just did not receive the notice to serve jury duty. I wrote to them to explain my reason for not attending.' another explained, which resulted in waived fines.
This incident served as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of keeping personal details up to date and understanding the responsibilities of jury duty.
According to the state's Department of Communities and Justice, failing to attend jury service without an accepted excuse could result in fines of up to $2,200.
However, individuals who received fines may apply for a fine review by a magistrate at a local court.
Fines may be waived if the individual attended jury duty, did not receive notices from the NSW Sheriff's office, or had legitimate reasons to miss jury duty.
It's crucial to be aware of the jury duty process.
If you receive a fine for failure to appear for jury service, reach out to Service NSW or the equivalent agency in your state.
It's also worth consulting with a legal professional if you're unsure of how to proceed.
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my mistake dark as hades they were, maybe that’s why I’ll never know.
