Texas Man Held for 83 Days For Failure to Appear For Jury Duty

Douglas Maupin was held at the Collin County Detention Facility for 83 days for his failure to appear for jury duty. He was never allowed a lawyer during his confinement and refused information on what he was being held for. In the course of his confinement, he lost his rental home, his job and his dog Daisy.

Maupin, 34, was stopped for speeding (65 miles an hour in a 45 mph zone) and it was discovered that he had an outstanding 6-year-old warrant for failing to appear for jury duty. A municipal judge set a $1,500 bond and, since Maupin did not have the money, he was sent to jail.

The judge who signed the original 2003 warrant retired.

Maupin insisted that the original summons was sent to his parents address and that is why he did not get it. His mother is partially disabled. He said that other inmates tried to get authorities to act after they were released from jail. It took the Dallas Morning News to force action by writing on the story.

He still does not know what happened to his dog Daisy or his belongings.

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