Jury Duty

 

Jury Summons and Exemptions 

If you received a Jury Summons, please complete the Jury Questionnaire and return it to the court office prior to the appearance date.jury-duty picture

Please note:  in most cases, jury service will only require your presence for one day.

You must report for jury service unless:  

  • You are disqualified - circle the qualification that you do not meet on the Jury Summons form.
  • You claim an exemption - circle the exemption(s) claim on the Jury Summons form.
  • You choose to postpone your service. A valid reason with supported documentation must be submitted in writing prior to the jury date summons. 

Jury Questionnaire

Failure to Appear  

Failure to appear for jury service may result in the court filing contempt charges against you and assessing a fine of $100.

Qualifications for Jury Service

  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 a 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 proceeding three months in the county court or during the preceding six months in the district court;
  8. Not have been convicted of, or be under indictment or other legal accusation for, misdemeanor theft or a felony; and 
  9. Be a resident of the municipality for which the court is established (Government Code, Section 62.501; specific to municipal courts). 

Exemptions from Jury Service

  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 or representatives, or any department, commission, board, office or other agency in the legislative branch of the state government. 
  6. You are a primary caretaker of a person who is 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 deployed to a location away from your home station and out of your county of residence. 
  8. You have served as a juror in the county during the 24-month period prior to the date you are required to appear by this summons. 
  9. You have been summoned for jury service in this county and you have served as a petit juror in the county during the three-year period prior to the date you are required to appear by this summons. 

Jury Exemption Form

If you have additional questions or doubts as to your eligibility to serve on a jury, please contact the court at (972) 775-8932 prior to your appearance date.