When you arrive at the courthouse there likely will be a jury assembly area. It depends on the size of the county whether jury assembly will be large or small. In Houston, Harris County, Texas, where my firm is based, the jury assembly area is huge and there often may be hundreds of citizens all appearing for jury duty on any given day.
You should come in to the jury assembly area, have a seat, and fill out any of the jury duty forms you are provided. Sometimes a judge will come into the jury assembly area and ask questions of all who show up for jury duty. The purpose of this is to ensure that you meet the requirements to perform jury duty. This may include juror qualifications such as ensuring that you reside in the county, have not performed jury duty within a specific time period, and have not been convicted of a felony.
Jurors will be qualified by the judge to make sure they meet the requirements for jury duty. After jury assembly, a judge or courtroom deputy, called a bailiff, may appear and divide you into groups. The juror groups will be assigned and sent to specific courtrooms for jury selection. You will be divided into groups of anywhere between 24 to 60 possible jurors. This group is called the jury venire or jury panel.
The bailiff will take you to a courtroom and seat you in a certain order based on your juror number. You may even be given a card with your juror number on it. The purpose of this is for the lawyers, the judge and the court reporter to identify you during jury selection. After you are situated in the courtroom, the judge and lawyers will come in for the voir dire, or jury selection, part of the trial.
The judge will make an introduction about the case and the lawyers, and likely thank you for appearing for jury duty. Next, the lawyers will ask you questions.
Although the courts make every effort to avoid delays, they sometimes will occur. If a delay occurs while you are present for jury service, please try to be patient with the court staff. Rest assured that there is usually a valid reason for any delays and the judge is aware that you are waiting. Also, try to keep an open mind about your jury service and remember that you are playing an essential role in our justice system. At the conclusion of all the evidence, the judge may give you a written charge that asks you some specific questions.
Because you will need to consider all of the evidence admitted by the judge, it is important that you pay close attention to the evidence as it is presented at trial. You will not be asked, and you should not consider, whether one party or the other should win.
Note that jurors and others can be called upon to testify in open court about acts of jury misconduct. As a result, you need to follow all of the jury instructions given by the judge throughout the case very carefully. If you have questions about your jury summons or jury duty, please contact the appropriate court or judge as indicated on the jury summons. The information contained on this web site is not intended to take the place of the instructions given by the judge or the court concerning any aspect of jury service.
In the event of any conflicts, the instructions and procedures given to you by the judge or the court should be followed. About Texas Courts.
Site Search. Texas Judicial Branch Web. About Texas Courts Home. Jury Service in Texas. The Selection Process Juror Selection Receiving a summons for jury duty does not mean that you will actually serve on a jury. Juror Oath At 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. Qualifications for Jury Service You do not need any special skills or legal knowledge to be 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 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; and not have been convicted of, or be under indictment or other legal accusation for, misdemeanor theft or a felony.
Exemptions from Jury Service You are not required to claim an exemption from jury service. However, you may choose to be excused if you: Are over 70 years of age You may also request a permanent age 70 exemption. This does not apply if the jury wheel has been reconstituted since your service as a petit juror.
Exemption from Jury Service You must follow the instructions on your jury summons or contact the judge to find out what you need to do to be exempted from jury service.
Exemption for Physical or Mental Impairments or Inability to Comprehend English A district court judge may permanently or temporarily exempt from jury service a person with a physical or mental impairment or with an inability to comprehend or communicate in the English language that makes it impossible or very difficult to serve on a jury. Advice for your First Day of Service Be sure that you know where you are supposed to report.
If you are unfamiliar with the courthouse and its surroundings you should carefully review the instructions that are included with summonses.
You might also contact the judge or the district clerk's office or check the local web page for additional information. Your attire should show respect for the court. Because you may serve on a jury the first day you report to serve, you should wear clothing reasonably befitting the dignity and solemnity of the court proceedings. Local judges may restrict certain attire, such as shorts, cutoff, sleeveless shirts, sandals, and hats.
Skip to main navigation. The people randomly selected complete a questionnaire to help determine if they are qualified to serve on a jury. Those qualified are randomly chosen to be summoned to appear for jury duty. This selection process helps to make sure that jurors represent a cross section of the community, without regard to race, gender, national origin, age, or political affiliation. Select the link below for travel directions to the Buffalo or Rochester courthouses.
The counties that make up the Western District of New York are divided into the following office locations:. Certificates of service will be provided for any day you report for jury service. Please let the Jury Attendant know you require a Certificate of Service when you report for jury service. It is extremely important that you be prompt both in the morning and when returning from lunch.
It is particularly important when you are selected to serve on a trial since the entire proceeding can be delayed because of the tardiness of one juror, and you could be held in contempt. If you are delayed due to circumstances beyond your control, call the appropriate jury office to inform the court of your situation.
To reach the jury office in Buffalo, dial If your call is not answered, please leave a voice mail message. To reach the jury office in Rochester, dial If you call is not answered, please leave a voice mail message.
Typically, jury selection depends on the type of trial that you are being selected for. You can plan on being at the courthouse for the morning and possibly the afternoon. Short recesses are taken throughout the selection day and the Court does break for lunch.
The Court does not provide lunch. You can bring your lunch or eat at a nearby restaurant. Laptop computers, electronic devices and cell phones are not allowed in the courtroom -- please do not bring them into the courthouse.
If they are brought to the courthouse, they will be checked at the door and you will be requested to leave these items with Security until you are released for the day. Public phones are available throughout the Rochester Courthouse only. Be sure to bring photo ID and your jury summons with you when you report for jury service.
Since there can be extended periods of time when you will not be needed in the courtroom, you may want to bring a book or magazine.
While no formal dress code exists, jurors are requested to dress in a manner respectful to the Court. Shorts, T-shirts, and thong sandals are not considered appropriate attire. Please bring a sweater or jacket since the courtrooms are often quite cool. You will have to pass through a metal detector each time you enter the courthouse so it is advised you leave excess metal and jewelry at home to speed your entry.
No liquids if any kind water, coffee, soda, milk, juice, etc.
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