![]() be a resident of this state and of the county in which you are to serve as a juror.To be qualified to serve as a juror you must: You do not need any special skills or legal knowledge to be a juror! Juror OathĪt some point during the jury selection process, prospective jurors are given an oath by which they swear or affirm to tell the truth when answering questions about their qualifications as jurors. After all challenges are utilized, a jury with one to four alternates is impaneled to hear the evidence in the case. ![]() After questioning the prospective jurors, the lawyers and the parties they represent will be given the opportunity to make any challenges for cause and peremptory challenges to individual prospective jurors (see definitions). While the lawyers are aware of your answers to the questionnaire that you filled out earlier, the lawyers and the judge may still ask you some of the same questions and some additional questions to ensure that you are indeed qualified to serve, and that you are indeed able to perform your civic duty in a fair and impartial manner. Lawyers then conduct what is called voir dire (which means to speak the truth), which allows the lawyers and the judge to have the opportunity to ask each prospective juror a series of questions. The process begins as groups of prospective jurors, usually numbering fifty to sixty in district courts, are assembled in a courtroom with the judge, the lawyers, and usually the parties of a particular case. However, if you are qualified to serve and you do not ask to be excused or exempted, you will be able to participate in the jury selection process which may take only a day or a fraction of a day to complete. Receiving a summons for jury duty does not mean that you will actually serve on a jury. Simply follow the I-Jury information enclosed with the juror summons you received. If your county participates in I-Jury Online Impaneling and you have access to the internet, you may respond to your summons online and submit any scheduling conflicts without making a trip to the courthouse. You will be asked to return the completed questionnaire to the court by mail, or to bring the completed questionnaire with you when you report for jury service. While some counties choose to mail a questionnaire to prospective jurors to determine their eligibility prior to mailing the official jury summons, other counties mail the questionnaire and the jury summons together. Citizens on the list are randomly selected and mailed a summons to report for jury service. Each county receives a list of potential jurors from the Secretary of State that consists of those individuals in the county that are registered to vote, hold a Texas driver's license, or hold a Texas identification card. State law mandates the process for selecting prospective jurors. Why did I receive a summons and what do I do now? Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren (1962) Jury Summons They have demonstrated a vision and a will toward the administration of justice that is a wellspring of inspiration." "The men and women who are called upon to serve on juries in both our federal and state courts have maintained a standard of fairness and excellence throughout the history of our country. You will need to be fair, impartial, and be willing to make decisions that are not based on your personal feelings and biases. As a juror, you are in a position of responsibility. Jury service is a privilege that offers the average citizen an unequaled opportunity to influence and deliberate over fundamental matters of justice. Clark, Texan and former justice of the United States Supreme Court, "The jury system improves the quality of justice and is the sole means of keeping its administration attuned to community standards." With your participation as a Texas juror, our constitutional right to an impartial jury is protected. ![]() That right has long been considered a fundamental safeguard of each American's civil liberties. ![]() Your participation is important to Texas!īoth the Constitution of the United States and the Texas Constitution guarantee the right to a trial by jury. Jury Service as a Civic Duty and a Privilege The Office of Court Administration cannot assist you with your individual jury summons. If you have questions about your jury duty, please contact the phone number or website on your jury summons. Guardianship Abuse, Fraud and Exploitation Deterrence Program (GAFEDP).Certification, Registration & Licensing.Programs & Services Click to expand submenu.Publications & Training Click to expand submenu.Timothy Cole Exoneration Review Commission.Texas Commission to Expand Civil Legal Services.Task Force on Judicial Emergency Preparedness.Judicial Branch Certification Commission.Judicial Committee on Information Technology.
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