Butler County Judge Thomas Doerr is warning residents about a new scam that involves the courts.

At least one woman wired $993 to a phony deputy when she received a notice in the mail that she’s missed jury duty and a bench warrant had been issued for her. The notice alleges to have come from Doerr and gives a date and time the recipient must appear in court.

There are no warrants pending for failure to appear at jury duty in this county, Doerr said. No one should wire money.

The courts do have the power to issue a warrant for someone who fails to appear at jury duty, but it just hasn’t been a problem in the county.

Doerr said fewer than 1 percent of people summoned for jury duty do not show up on time. The court administration telephones these people and they arrive late.

In the case of this woman, the scam asks people to wire money to a “Deputy Evans.” The county has no Deputy Evans, Doerr said.

Unfortunately, once money is sent by wire, it is difficult to ever get back.

“That’s why we want to get a warning out,” Doerr said.

Anyone who receives the notice should report it to their police department.