Your name was randomly selected from the Texas voter registration list or Texas Drivers License records.

You will serve in the division based on the county in which you live. More information on the county assignments for each divisional office can be found on their divisional homepages: Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Houston, Laredo, Victoria, McAllen.

You need to write a letter/email to the Jury Clerk at the address provided on your Summons and request to be excused.

NOTE: The court requires all excuses in writing and DOES NOT accept excuses from the employer.

Currently, jurors are paid $50 for each day they appear, plus round-trip mileage. Checks for jury service will be mailed to your home approximately three weeks from the first day of service. Contact the Jury Clerk in your reporting division if you have not received compensation or have questions.

Yes, your medical excuse and other necessary documentation will need to be mailed/emailed to the address provided on your Summons and request to be excused.

The Court considers all excuses received and will notify you if you have been excused. If your excuse does not arrive in time, it will be considered by the Court on the day of your appearance.

Those people who are appearing for jury selection, or have been selected as jurors, will be notified via telephone if the trial is canceled due to weather.

You are still required to complete any Questionnaire or Summons you received. If you cannot understand English and need further assistance, contact the jury office. If you need assistance, a friend or a family member who can speak English can help you complete the forms or make the phone call for you.

Most of our trials follow business hours when possible; however, occasionally, and on the day of deliberation, you may be required to stay later in order to render a verdict.

Each divisional office adheres to different security and courtroom guidelines. Please contact your reporting division for more information and follow any instructions given by court security and staff throughout your service.

Petit jury service is a jury comprised of 6-12 people, who decided verdicts in both civil and criminal cases. In a criminal case, a petit jury decides whether the Government has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime as charged. In a civil case, a petit jury decides whether the plaintiff establishes with evidence that is more likely than not, known in legal terms as preponderance of the evidence, that the defendant injured the plaintiff in some way that requires appropriate compensation.

This is a much lower standard of proof than in a criminal trial since no party’s freedom is at issue in a civil matter. Trials are generally public, but jury deliberations are private. Petit juries render a verdict, of guilty/not guilty in a criminal case, or in favor of a defendant or plaintiff in a civil case. Petit jurors hear a maximum of one case and are then discharged.

Grand jury service is a jury of 16-23 grand jurors, who focus on preliminary criminal matters only and assesses evidence presented by a prosecutor to determine whether there is “probable cause” to believe an individual committed a crime and should be put on trial. If the grand jury determines there is enough evidence, an indictment will be issued against the individual.

Proceedings are private and grand jurors generally serve up to 18 months but can serve for up to 24 months if an extension is granted by a judge. Grand jurors consider multiple cases over the course of their term of service. Unlike petit juries, grand juries do not meet every day, instead meeting in any number of calendar combinations throughout their term.

This court hears civil and criminal cases. A civil matter is a court proceeding in which one party seeks to recover money damages or other relief from another party. A criminal matter is one in which the government seeks to enforce a criminal law.

All people are selected for jury service at random from the Texas voter registration list or Texas Drivers License records.

Contact the jury clerk for your reporting division for more information on the length of service for that division. You can call the jury hotline at the number listed on your summons or check your reporting instructions online anytime.

You should wear proper attire showing respect for the court and parties, i.e., slacks, jeans, shirts, dresses, etc., without holes, rips, or tears. You should not wear shorts, flip flops, or tank tops. You may also want to bring a light sweater or jacket to stay warm in the event the jury assembly room or courtroom is cold.

Federal Statute Title 28, US Code, Section 1875 states that no employers shall discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce any permanent employee by reason of such employee's jury service, or the attendance or scheduled attendance in connection with such service, in any court of the United States. This statute also advises the employer of the consequences for violating the provisions of this section.

If your Summons includes a date that conflicts with your vacation plans, you may request to be deferred. You must put your request in writing and send it to the court.