A southwestern Pennsylvania county judge says a man can avoid a seven-day jail term for missing jury duty 11 times in the last two years - if he pays a $500 fine.

The (Somerset) Daily American said Somerset County Judge D. Gregory Geary issued the ruling Monday in the case of 32-year-old Owen Fazenbaker III, of Stoystown.

Fazenbaker was arrested for contempt of court for ignoring jury summonses while he was in the courthouse seeking relief from a child support ruling.

The judge told Fazenbaker he found it ``ironic'' that the man could find his way to court for that, but not for jury duty.

Fazenbaker promised to serve on future juries if the judge would not impose a $500 fine and 10 days in jail for each time he's missed jury duty.

