Jury
The 6th Amendment, part of the Bill of Rights attached to the Constitution of the United States, sets forth the rights of the accused in criminal proceedings: a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, the location of the trial in the area where the crime took place, full notification of the prosecution charges, a confrontation with witnesses for the prosecution, compulsory methods to obtain favorable witnesses, and the assistance of counsel for his defense. In order for justice to prevail, the jury process must be well organized and efficient.
One of the main functions of the office of the District Clerk is the supervision of the jury duty process. The deputy clerks work hard to make sure the citizens’ jury duty obligation is fulfilled and to make the experience educational about how our judicial system functions. The duties that this department performs are complex and varied. First of all, prospective juror lists are created. Prospective jurors are people with a valid Texas Driver’s License, Texas Identification Card, and/or Voter Registration Card. From these lists, panels are created and jury summons are sent out to fill jury needs for petit and grand juries. Once jurors are summoned, they are gathered at the 63rd Judicial District Courtroom to await further instructions. Once a juror has served, a Certificate of Service is issued as proof of jury service. The deputy clerks are also responsible for processing and paying jurors for their service.
One of the main functions of the office of the District Clerk is the supervision of the jury duty process. The deputy clerks work hard to make sure the citizens’ jury duty obligation is fulfilled and to make the experience educational about how our judicial system functions. The duties that this department performs are complex and varied. First of all, prospective juror lists are created. Prospective jurors are people with a valid Texas Driver’s License, Texas Identification Card, and/or Voter Registration Card. From these lists, panels are created and jury summons are sent out to fill jury needs for petit and grand juries. Once jurors are summoned, they are gathered at the 63rd Judicial District Courtroom to await further instructions. Once a juror has served, a Certificate of Service is issued as proof of jury service. The deputy clerks are also responsible for processing and paying jurors for their service.
NOTICE: Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, through Monday, March 30, 2020, jury trials are suspended. Any juror summons received for those dates should be disregarded.
EXEMPTIONS FROM JURY SERVICE
(Texas Government Code, Section 62.106)
QUALIFICATIONS FOR JURY SERVICE
(Texas Government Code, Section 62.102)
1. You are over 70 years of age;
2. You have legal custody of a child or children younger than 12 years of age and service on the jury would require leaving the child or children without adequate supervision;
3. You are a student at a public or private high school;
4. You are enrolled and in actual attendance at an institution of higher education;
5. You are an officer or an employee of the senate, the house of representatives, or any department, commission, board, office, or other agency in the legislative branch of state government (This exemption does not apply to Law Enforcement);
6. You are the primary caretaker of a person who is an invalid unable to care for himself or herself. (This exemption does not apply to you if you are a primary caretaker only in your capacity as a health care worker);
7.You are a member of the United States military forces serving on active duty and/or deployed to a location away from your home station and out of your county of residence.
2. You have legal custody of a child or children younger than 12 years of age and service on the jury would require leaving the child or children without adequate supervision;
3. You are a student at a public or private high school;
4. You are enrolled and in actual attendance at an institution of higher education;
5. You are an officer or an employee of the senate, the house of representatives, or any department, commission, board, office, or other agency in the legislative branch of state government (This exemption does not apply to Law Enforcement);
6. You are the primary caretaker of a person who is an invalid unable to care for himself or herself. (This exemption does not apply to you if you are a primary caretaker only in your capacity as a health care worker);
7.You are a member of the United States military forces serving on active duty and/or deployed to a location away from your home station and out of your county of residence.
1. be at least 18 years of age;
2. be a citizen of the United States;
3. be a resident of this state and a resident of the county in which you are to serve as a juror;
4. be qualified under the Constitution and laws to vote in the county in which you are to serve as juror. (Note: You do not have to be registered to vote to be qualified to vote);
5. be of sound mind and good moral character;
6. be able to read and write;
7. not have served as a juror for six days during the preceding three months in the county court or during the preceding six months in the district court;
8. not have been convicted of a misdemeanor theft or a felony; and
9. not be under indictment or other legal accusation for a misdemeanor theft or a felony.
2. be a citizen of the United States;
3. be a resident of this state and a resident of the county in which you are to serve as a juror;
4. be qualified under the Constitution and laws to vote in the county in which you are to serve as juror. (Note: You do not have to be registered to vote to be qualified to vote);
5. be of sound mind and good moral character;
6. be able to read and write;
7. not have served as a juror for six days during the preceding three months in the county court or during the preceding six months in the district court;
8. not have been convicted of a misdemeanor theft or a felony; and
9. not be under indictment or other legal accusation for a misdemeanor theft or a felony.
* Medical Excuses need an excuse from physician explaining condition and why the juror cannot participate in jury duty.
**Proper Clothing Required: All Prospective Jurors should dress in clothing befitting the dignity and solemnity of the court Proceedings.
- No shorts
- No torn jeans
**Click here to view jury questionnaire
**Proper Clothing Required: All Prospective Jurors should dress in clothing befitting the dignity and solemnity of the court Proceedings.
- No shorts
- No torn jeans
**Click here to view jury questionnaire