Jury trials have resumed and your participation in the administration of justice is very important. If you have any questions regarding your Jury Service, please call us at (956) 523-4241 or email us at: juryduty@webbcountytx.gov. You can also check your status online: i-Juror.

We continue to mail qualification questionnaires for the purpose of qualifying potential jurors for future jury calls. If you receive a qualification questionnaire, please complete online: i-Juror or through our Webb County Juror automated system by calling (956) 523-5211. Due to the nature and security of your information, you will have 60 minutes to complete and submit your online Juror Questionnaire before the session times out.

By using i-Juror online, you can do the following:

• Request a deferral (postponement)
• Claim an exemption or disqualification


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Jury Duty I FAQ's I Qualifications & Exemptions

JURY DUTY

The 6th Amendment, part of the Bill of Rights attached to the Constitution of the United States, sets forth the rights of the accused in criminal proceedings: a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, the location of the trial in the area where the crime took place, full notification of the prosecution charges, a confrontation with witnesses for the prosecution, compulsory methods to obtain favorable witnesses, and the assistance of counsel for his defense. In order for justice to prevail, the jury process must be well organized and efficient.

One of the main functions of the office of the District Clerk is the supervision of the jury duty process. The Central Jury Room is located across the District Clerk’s Office and operates under the direction of Webb County District Clerk Esther Degollado. The deputy clerks at the Central Jury Room work hard to make sure the citizens’ jury duty obligation is fulfilled and to make the experience educational about how our judicial system functions. The duties that this department performs are complex and varied. First of all, prospective juror lists are created. Prospective jurors are people with a valid Texas Driver’s License, Texas Identification Card, and/or Voter Registration Card. From these lists, panels are created and jury summons are sent out to fill jury needs for petit and grand juries, as well as juries needed for Justice of the Peace courts. Once jurors are summoned, they are gathered at the Central Jury Room to await further instructions. After jurors are qualified, they are dispersed and sent to different courts for further jury services. Once the court has selected a jury, the remaining jurors are sent back to Central Jury Room if they are needed, after which they will be dismissed. Once a juror has served, a Certificate of Service is issued as proof of jury service. The staff at the Central Jury Room is also responsible for processing and printing checks to pay jurors for their service.

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FAQ's

Texas Uniform Jury Handbook
as authorized by Chapter 23 of the Government Code

Why Is Jury Service Important?
The United States Constitution and the Texas Constitution guarantee all people, regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status, the right to trial by an impartial jury. Justice ultimately depends to a large measure upon the quality of the jurors who serve in our courts.

What is my Duty As A Juror?
As a juror, you must be fair and impartial. Your actions and decisions must be free of any bias or prejudice. Your actions and decisions are the foundation of our judicial system.

How Was I Selected?
You were selected at random from a list of voter registrations and a list of driver registrations from the county in which you live.

Am I Eligible?
To be qualified to serve as a Juror you must:
*Be at least 18 years of age.
*Be a citizen 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;
*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 accusations for, misdemeanor theft or a felony.

If you are in doubt, or think you may not be qualified to serve on a jury for one of the above or any other reasons, please notify the clerk or bailiff.

Who Can Be Excused 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 75 years of age.
*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.
*Are a student at a public or private high school.
*Are enrolled and in actual attendance at an institution of higher education.
*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.
*Are the primary caretaker of a person who is an invalid 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.)
*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.
*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.
*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.

What Are The Different Types Of Cases?
There are two basic types of cases, criminal and civil (including family cases).

Criminal Cases
A criminal case results when a person is accused of committing a crime. You, as a juror, must decide whether the person charged is guilty or not guilty. The accused person is presumed innocent, and the State, represented by the District or County Attorney, must prove guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt”.

Civil Cases
A civil case results from a disagreement or dispute between two or more parties. In a civil case, you, as a juror, must answer questions of disputed facts based upon the testimony and evidence admitted by the judge. The answers to these questions are called the verdict.

Will I Be Paid For Being A Juror?
Yes. You will be paid a minimum of $20.00 for each day you actually serve on the jury.

Must My Employer Pay Me While I Am On Jury Duty?
Your employer is not required to pay you while on jury duty; however, employers are prohibited by law from firing an employee for serving as a juror.

Who Can Have A Jury Trial?
Any person charged with a criminal offense or any party to a civil case has a right to a jury trial. All parties are equal before the law and each is entitled to the same fair treatment.

Are There Rules About Jury Conduct?
Yes. The Texas Supreme Court has rules to assist you in your conduct as a juror, which will be given to you by the judge.

What If I Fail to Respond to a Jury Summons or Give Incorrect Information to Get Out of Service?
The consequences of not appearing for jury service or falsely claiming an exemption can involve a fine, contempt of court and/or criminal penalties.

How Is A Juror Selected For a Particular Case?
Cases will usually be heard by juries of 6 or 12 jurors. A larger group called a panel, will be sent to the trial court (courtroom) where the jurors will be questioned 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 trial jury will be the first 6 or 12 of the remaining jurors on the panel.

What Is Voir Dire Or Questioning Of The Jury Panel?
It is a way for the parties to select a fair and impartial jury. Under the justice system, you may be questioned by each of the lawyers before they decide to remove a certain number of jurors from the jury panel. For example, the lawyer may ask you questions to see if you are connected to the trial or if you have any prejudice or bias toward anyone in the trial. These questions are not intended to embarrass you, but rather to help the lawyers in the jury selection process. You may ask the judge to allow you to answer some questions away from the other jurors.

What If I Have A Special Need Or Emergency?
After you have been selected as a juror on a trial panel, if you have a special need or an emergency, tell the bailiff.

May I Discuss The Case After It Is Over?
After you are discharged from jury service, you are released from the obligation of secrecy. You will then be free to discuss the case and your deliberations with anyone. However, you are also free to decline to discuss the case and your deliberations if you wish.

Order Of Events Of The Trial
Opening Statements: The lawyers for each side may explain the case, the evidence they will present, and the issues for you to decide.

Presentation of Evidence: The evidence consists of the testimony of witnesses and the exhibits allowed by the judge. Exhibits admitted into evidence will be available to the jury for examination during deliberations. You have a right to ask for them. You will be asked to make decisions regarding disputed facts; therefore, your attention at all time is critically important. Juror note taking or the use of any notes will be determined by the judge.

Rulings by the Judge: The judge may be asked to decide questions of law during the trial. Occasionally, the judge may ask jurors to leave the courtroom while the lawyers make their legal arguments. The jurors should understand that such interruptions are needed to make sure that their verdict is based upon proper evidence, as determined by the judge under the Rules of Evidence. You may give the evidence whatever weight you consider appropriate.

Instruction to the Jury: At the close of all the evidence, the judge may submit to the jury the Charge of the Court. This will include legal instructions on this particular case and the questions that the jury is to answer from the evidence admitted.

Closing Arguments: After the Charge of the Court, the lawyers have the opportunity to summarize the evidence in their closing arguments and to try to persuade the jury to accept their client’s view of the case.

Deliberations and Verdict of the Jury: Following closing arguments, the jury is sent to deliberate. When the jury has answered the questions asked of them they shall return their verdict. The verdict must be based solely on the evidence presented by the parties, the Charge of the Court, and the rules of law provided by the judge.

When In Doubt, Ask The Judge: You have the right to communicate with the judge regarding any matters affecting your deliberations, including but not limited to:
1) physical comfort
2) special needs
3) any questions regarding evidence; or
4) the Charge of the Court

During deliberation, if it becomes necessary to communicate with the judge, the bailiff or the officer of the court will deliver jurors’ notes to the judge. The information is this Handbook is not intended to take the place of the instructions given by the judge in any case. In the event of conflict, the judge’s instructions will prevail.

Note: Not all of these rules apply in Justice or Municipal Courts. This handbook was originally created with a grant form the Texas Bar Foundation.