Juror Information

A person is qualified to serve as a petit juror if that person:

• Is at least 18 years of age
• Is a citizen of this state and of the city in which one is to serve as a juror
• Is qualified under the Constitution and laws to vote in the city in which the individual is to serve as juror
• Is of sound mind and good moral character
• Is able to read and write
• Has not been convicted of a felony or theft
• Is not under indictment of other legal accusation of misdemeanor or felony theft or any other felony
• Has not served as a petit juror for six days during the preceding three months in a county court or during the preceding six months in a district court

(Ch. 480 Sec. 62.102 Government Code)

A person may claim exemption if that person:

• Is over 70 years of age
• Has legal custody of a child or children younger than ten years of age and serving on the jury requires leaving the child or children without adequate supervision
• Is a student of a public or private high school
• Is a person enrolled and in actual attendance at a college
• Is an officer or an employee of the Senate, the House of Representatives, or any department, commission, board, office, or any agency in the legislative branch of state government
• Is a primary caretaker of a person who is an invalid unable to care for him/herself (not employed out of the home)
• Has served as a petit juror in a county with a population of at least 250,000 during the three-year period preceding the date of the jury summons
• Is a member of the U.S. military forces serving on active duty and deployed away from the member’s home station and out of the member’s county of residence

(Ch. 480 Sec. 62.106 Government Code)

To begin a jury trial, a panel of prospective jurors is called into the courtroom. The panel members are sworn to answer questions about their qualifications to sit as jurors in the case. This questioning is called the voir dire. Voir dire is a way for the parties to select a fair and impartial jury.

Under the justice system, jurors may be questioned by each of the lawyers before they decide to remove a certain number of jurors from the jury panel. Other questions will determine whether any panel member has a prejudice or a feeling that might influence them in rendering a verdict.

A juror may be excused from the panel if it is shown that the juror cannot act on the case to be heard. Also, each side is allowed to remove a given number of jurors from the panel without having to show any reason. The trial jury will be the first six of the remaining jurors on the panel.

If you are not selected to serve on a jury, in most cases, you will be excused by the jury clerk within approximately two to three hours. If you are selected to serve on a jury, you will serve for the duration of the trial. The average trial runs one to two days.

Court session begin when the court officer raps for order. Everyone in the court rises. The judge takes his or her place on the bench, and the court officer announces the opening of court. A similar procedure is used when court adjourns. Juror are expected to listen and not speak with other jurors in the courtroom.

Jurors should give close attention to the testimony. They are sworn to disregard their prejudices and follow the Court’s instructions. They must render a verdict according to their best judgment.

Jurors shouldn't discuss the case among themselves until it is finally concluded. Jurors shouldn't make up their minds until all the evidence has been presented to them, and they have been instructed on the law applicable to the case.

Personal Emergencies

Jurors will be treated with consideration. Their comfort and convenience will be served whenever possible. Jurors should bring to the attention of the judge any matter affecting their service and should notify the court of any emergency. In the event of a personal emergency a juror may send word to the judge through any court personnel, or may ask to see the judge privately.

Jurors perform a vital role in the American system of justice. The protection of our rights and liberties is largely achieved through the teamwork of judge and jury who, working together in a common effort, put into practice the principles of our great heritage of freedom. The judge determines the law to be applied in the case while the jury decides the facts. Thus, in a very important way, jurors become a part of the court itself.

Jurors must be men and women who possess sound judgment, absolute honesty, and a complete sense of fairness. Jury service is a high duty of citizenship.

Jurors aid in the maintenance of law and order and uphold justice among their fellow citizens. Their greatest reward is the knowledge that they have discharged this duty faithfully, honorably, and well.

In addition to determining and adjusting property rights, jurors may also be asked to decide questions involving a crime for which a person may be fined. The United States Constitution and the Texas Constitution guarantee all people, regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status, the right to a trial by an impartial jury. Justice ultimately depends to a large measure upon the quality of the jurors who serve in our courts.