By MONROE RAORK
mroark@thecitizennews.com

An appeals court has upheld a ruling by a Fayette County judge that could send a local hip-hop star to jail for skipping jury duty.

Superior Court Judge Chris Edwards sentenced Jermaine Dupri Maudlin to 72 hours in jail last summer for contempt of court, after Maudlin missed a March jury duty appointment to perform in a concert in New Jersey.

The Georgia Court of Appeals has affirmed that ruling, although Mauldin's attorney is continuing the appeals process, meaning he is still a free man.

According to court records, Maudlin was summoned for jury duty the week of Monday, March 1. He arrived 30 minutes late that day and was sworn in as a prospective juror.

He was excused until Wednesday of that week, but when he did not reappear, the contempt charges were set in motion.

A hearing was conducted May 13, where attorneys for Dupri said that he had a prior commitment to perform at the Meadowlands in New Jersey the night of March 3, the day of his absence in Fayette Superior Court. The concert date was set before he received his jury summons, attorneys said.

It was also argued that Mauldin, who had received three previous waivers from jury service, went home the first day with the mistaken impression that he was excused for the entire week.

He admitted to the court at the May hearing that his celebrity status does not exempt him from jury duty, and he apologized to the court, offering to perform community service. That was not good enough for Edwards, who ordered him to report to the county jail that afternoon.

The defendant remained free, however, when his attorneys filed the appeal.

Attorney Michael Tyler of Atlanta said Tuesday that he has filed a notice to appeal the most recent court decision.