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Fraud Alert: Scam Text Messages Claiming DMV Penalties -

We have been made aware of fraudulent text messages being sent to individuals claiming to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or the court system. These messages often state that the recipient owes penalties or fees related to traffic violations or DMV infractions and may include a link or phone number to resolve the matter. 

Take these steps to reduce the chances of falling victim to a text message scam:

  • Never respond to unsolicited or suspicious texts — If you receive a message asking for personal or financial information, do not reply.
  • Verify the source — If you are unsure, always contact the DMV through official channels.
  • Call the DMV if you have concerns — The DMV customer service team is available to help you at 800-777-0133.

Please see DMV warning about fraudulent texts: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/dmv-warns-of-fraudulent-te…

Jury Scam alert -

The Santa Barbara Superior Court has received complaints about individuals trying to scam members of the public by pretending to be court officers or officials. The Jury Services office of the Santa Barbara Superior Court does not call citizens to request payments for failing to appear for jury duty. California law does not permit citizens to pay a fine in lieu of jury duty. If you receive such a call simply hang up and, if the scammer persists, call your local law enforcement agency. Learn more about the recent scam warning.

Notice to Jurors:

Prospective jurors summoned for jury service can expect to receive their jury summons in postcard form. Please check your mail for a postcard with important instructions to fulfil your jury service. Visit the Jury Services page for more information.

Employer Information

Employer Information

Every year in Santa Barbara County, many public and private employees perform an essential community service - they provide jurors for the Court's jury system. The jury system cannot exist without that support.

JURY DUTY

In Santa Barbara County, the term of service is ONE SWORN TRIAL. The California statute provides that the court may use jurors for up to FIVE CALL IN DAYS. Jurors are expected to report for service for one day of jury selection, and to accept all trials, regardless of length, unless it would be a personal hardship. Jurors who are in the jury selection process (called voir dire), or who are sworn to a case, are not limited to FIVE ON CALL DAYS OF SERVICE. If an individual is a member or an alternate member of a jury panel, his or her term of service will end when the trial reaches a verdict or the deliberation stage is concluded. If an individual is not in jury selection or serving on a trial by the fifth day of service, his or her term will end at the close of business that day.

Government Code section 12945.8 states in part:

(a) An employer shall not do any of the following:

  (1) Discharge or in any manner discriminate against an employee for taking time off to serve as required by law on an inquest jury or trial jury, if the employee, prior to taking the time off, gives reasonable notice to the employer that the employee is required to serve.

   (2) Discharge or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against an employee, including, but not limited to, an employee who is a victim, for taking time off to appear in court to comply with a subpoena or other court order as a witness in any judicial proceeding.

Government Code 12945.8

Employer Participation Is Vital to the Jury System

We wish to extend our deepest appreciation to public and private employers in Santa Barbara County for supporting the jury system. We cannot overemphasize how crucial that support is. Without employer participation, jury trials would come to a standstill. As a consequence, private and corporate residents would lose a fundamental principle on which we all depend - justice!

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