If a defendant fails to appear for a jury trial, how can they be released from paying costs assessed for impaneling the jury?

The correct answer is grounded in the legal framework surrounding jury trials and defendants' obligations. If a defendant does not appear for their trial, costs incurred from impaneling the jury may be assessed against them. However, these costs may be waived if the defendant can demonstrate "good cause" during a show cause hearing.

At a show cause hearing, the defendant has the opportunity to present reasons or circumstances that justify their absence. This allows a judicial determination on whether the failure to appear should lead to the imposition of those costs. The notion of good cause typically includes situations beyond the defendant's control, such as illness, unforeseen emergencies, or other substantial reasons.

This understanding is pivotal because it emphasizes the legal system's recognition of fairness and the possibility that not all absences are willful or negligent. In contrast, simply paying a fee, submitting an application, or using a legal representative may not provide a sufficient basis to be relieved of costs, as these actions don't inherently address the need to justify the absence in a legal context. The process of a show cause hearing ensures a formal avenue for defendants to argue against penalties, reinforcing procedural justice within the judicial system.