About Your Jury Service

Why is Jury Service important?

The United States Constitution and the Texas Constitution guarantee all people the right to trial by an impartial jury of their peers, regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin or economic status. Your service on a jury enables this right for each and every defendant, and justice depends in large part of the quality of jurors who serve in our courts.

What If I Fail To Respond to a Jury Summons or Give Incorrect Information to Get Out of Service?

Unfortunately, there are consequences for not appearing for jury service or falsely claiming an exemption. These can involve a fine, contempt of court and/or criminal penalties.

How Is A Juror Selected for a Particular Case?

Defendants who plead Not Guilty are able to choose whether their case is heard by a judge or a jury of six members. Those responding to a jury summons are called the jury panel. They are questioned (Voir Dire) as way for the parties to select a fair and impartial jury. Questioning occurs under the supervision of the judge. A juror may be excused from the panel if it is shown that the juror cannot act impartially concerning the case to be heard. In addition, each side is allowed to remove a given number of jurors from the panel without having to show any reason. The first six serve as the jury for the case.

Qualifications for Jury Service (Texas Government Code, Section 62.102, except where noted).

If certain qualifications are not met, you may not serve as a juror. To be qualified to serve as a juror you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Be a resident of this state and a resident of the county in which you are to serve as a juror
• 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)
• 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 the district court
• Not have been convicted of, or be under indictment or other legal accusation for, misdemeanor theft or a felony; and
• 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 (Texas Government Code, Section 62.106).

While not a disqualification, you may opt to be exempt from jury service if you meet any of the following exemptions:

• You are over 75 years of age
• 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
• 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 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)
• 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
• You have served as a juror in this county during the 24-month period prior to the date you are required to appear by this summons
• You have been summoned for jury service in this county and you have served as a petit juror in this county during the three-year period prior to the date you are required to appear by this summons

Jury Service Letter

You may request a Jury Service Letter verifying the date of your jury service. The Municipal Court and the citizens of Caddo Mills appreciate your time and commitment to justice.