This is absolutely not true. They can and eventually will charge you with a crime for failing to appear as a juror. Do not listen to this person.

Not true. Failing to respond will eventually lead to a felony charge. I had to sit in front of a magistrate and tell them why I had not appeared for prior notices, and was given a date and time to show up with a warning that if I did not a warrant would be issued. Read more here.