Bill - When I joined this forum I had no Idea that I would encounter a subject matter that I am comfortable discussing. I had to go to law school because my math skills suck. I knew that I would never make it as an engineer - even though to this day I love to tinker with gadgets. Because of my position I cannot give you - or your wife legal advice. However, I can explain how the system works. Feel free to ask questions if you like. I will do my best to respond without providing legal advice. Here goes:
Since you did not mention it, I assume that the JD summons is for state court and not federal court. Acting on this assumption the infomation I provide will be very general in nature as both local and state regulations/statutes differ. However, if your wife's summons is for JD in the federal courts system stop reading here and drive her to the courthouse Monday morning - and be there on time! It's a really bad idea to ignore a federal summons. If the summons originated from a state court read on.
1. A summons is essentially a demand to appear. Biker Bear was lucky. Normally the court's bailiff/jury clerk (the nomenclature varies) will read the list of potential jurors (just like roll call) assembled in the room awaiting impanelment. When an individual fails to appear a note is made, and later an effort is made to determine why the person failed to appear. Absent a very good excuse the chief judge (or assigned judge) has the authority to issue a bench warrant for the absent individual's arrest. Not to worry - this rarely happens for the first summons. That said, the decision to issue an arrest warrant is the Judge's alone. You never know what kind of mood these guys are in.
2. It's Friday. She has been called to appear Monday. The timing sucks. Normally notice is provided a couple of weeks out. This might be something she can bring up with the clerk, but I doubt that this is sufficient to escape JD. Likely though, unless your state has a 24 hour call-in line it is too late to get out of JD without going down to the courthouse Monday morning. Once she is there the point is moot.
3. Being called for JD is not the same as being impaneled. Most people don't make the cut. They just sit around drinking bad coffee until the clerk comes in and releases them for the day. Most of the time that is it. However, there are times when the assembled potential jurors are told to return the next day to do it all again. It is probably not a bad idea to use this time to discuss one's personal circumstances with the clerk - or even the judge.
4. Let's assume for the sake of argument that after all this you find yourself "impaneled" and sitting in a court room. You may not get a case. You may just be told to sit and wait. Or, you may be facing a series of qustions - known as voir dire. Unlike what people see on TV the lawyers often don't get to do voir dire. The judge will do it. Since you served previously you know how this works. Each side -be it civil or criminal will have an opportunity to use challenges to exclude individuals that they don't believe will help their side of the case. When someone is dismissed for cause (one of the two types of challenge) that person will return to the assembly room for the next round. If they are lucky there will be no next round and they go home. One of the questions that will surely be asked of any potential juror is whether he/she can be impartial in deliberations. The answer is of course a personal matter and should be an honest response. That said, I know of people that have responded in the negative just to get off JD. There is always a risk that the judge will see right through this and then you end up drinking more bad coffee.
5. Both federal and state law require that an employer release an employee for JD. No way around it. This is true even for the newly employed. If I received a summons on a Friday for JD on Monday I would make every effort to let my new employer know. I would then show up at the office early Monday for a little face time with my immediate supervisor. Failing that, I would ask to see someone with authority to report the matter up the chain of command. Oh, and I would not be late for the courthouse. Luckily they generally don't start until after 9:00.
Soapbox - Jury duty is a civic duty. Everyone should serve. Personally I would love to but cannot. Even though I am in the federal system, I hold a license from a state that prohibits "Drunkards, Felons and Lawyers" (yes, in that order) from serving. Most often juries are made up of the unemployed, under employed, and retired. It is nice to see the occassional young and/or professional person serving. I realize this does not help, and it's very likely not what you want to hear. Nevertheless, JD is a very important - actually vital - part of our judicial system.
I hope this helps.
Biker Bear - Just in case you find yourself in a repeat situation I urge you to contact someone - anyone - at the issuing court. You never know when some cranky old judge is going to issue a bench warrant.
Good luck to all. Kirk