If a defendant fails to appear for a jury trial and the court assesses a cost for impaneling the jury, how may the defendant be released from paying these costs?

• A. For good cause at a show cause hearing.
• B. Automatically after six months
• C. After paying a reduced fee
• D. Only if the defendant pleads guilty

Answer: (A)

The concept tested is that relief from paying jury-impaneling costs can be granted when the defendant shows good cause at a show cause hearing. When someone fails to appear for a jury trial, the court may still impose costs to cover the impaneling process. If the defendant can explain legitimate reasons—such as financial hardship or other valid circumstances—the court can waive or reduce those costs. A show cause hearing is the process by which the court evaluates whether those reasons constitute good cause and then decides on relief.

Automatic six-month release, a automatically reduced fee, or relief tied to pleading guilty aren’t supported by this mechanism, which relies on demonstrating good cause at the hearing and leaving the decision to the court’s discretion.