Jury service is one of the most fundamental ways that a citizen can participate in the justice system. Generally, any person has the right to have the facts of a criminal or civil case determined by a jury. Potential jurors are selected at random from a jury list. The list for each county is regenerated every two years by the Secretary of State. The list is composed of the name of all persons on the current voter registration lists from all precincts in the County and a list furnished by the Department of Public Safety showing citizens of the County who hold a valid Texas Driver's License or valid personal identification card or certificate issued by the department. Jurors who are selected are notified by summons from the Court that is mailed. A person who willfully fails to comply with a jury summons may be subject to a contempt action punishable by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $1,000.
To be qualified to serve on a jury you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be a citizen of this state and of the County in which you are to serve as a juror.
- Be qualified under the Constitution and the laws to vote in the county in which you are to serve as juror.
- Be of sound mind and good moral character.
- Be able to read and write.
- 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 district court, and
- Not have been convicted of, or be under indictment or other legal accusation for, misdemeanor theft or
felony.
Our law also provides exemptions from jury service. If you meet one of these exemptions, the Court will excuse you from jury service. You may be exempted from jury service if:
- You are over 70 years of age.
- You have legal custody of a child or children younger than 10 years of age and service on the jury would
require leaving the child or children without adequate supervision.
- You are a student at a public or private high school.
- You are enrolled and in actual attendance at an institution of higher education.
- 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.
- 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 health care workers).
- You are a member of the United States military forces serving on active duty and deployed to a location
away from your home station and out of your county of residence.
While excuses such as business and personal travel are not specifically provided for in the statutes regulating jury service, the Court will make reasonable efforts to accommodate scheduling conflicts.
If you have received a jury summons and you are disqualified or exempt, or would like to request a reschedule, please utilize the form below. Please make sure to include your phone number and e-mail address. Unless you receive specific communication to the contrary upon submission you may assume your request has been honored.
Jury Service Exemption Form