Site last updated: Sunday, August 30, 2026

Log In

Reset Password
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Jury duty curse gets woman $500 fine

ERIE — A Pennsylvania woman has been fined $500 for cursing because she was frustrated with being picked to serve on a jury.

Erie County Judge Ernest DiSantis levied the fine Wednesday on Kathleen Port.

DiSantis told the Erie woman she was “totally out of line” and explained jury service is a duty of citizenship.

Port, whose telephone number is unlisted, apologized several times but was fined nonetheless.

She told the judge she was upset because jury service would make her miss work and cost her income.

DiSantis says Port could have claimed a hardship on her jury service questionnaire, but did not.

Port also was thrown off the jury, which was picked to hear an illegal weapons case.

More in Pennsylvania News

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS