33rd & 424th District Court
 Call us at: 512-756-5436
Fax 512-756-8478
Prospective Juror info 




Why Do Jury Weeks Cancel?

There are many reasons, the principle one being that all cases settle. So why do cases sometimes only settle at the last minute? It's human nature -- when a civil litigant or a criminal defendant, and sometimes it's the State's attorney, finally steps up either very close to trial or even sometimes after a jury is seated the negotiating posture is replaced by reality and only then do concessions get made that will settle the controversy.


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. This list is compiled and provided to your County by the Texas Secretary of State. 




Am I Eligible? 


Jurors must: 

Be a citizen of the United States and of this State. 

Be at least 18 years of age. 

Reside in the county of jury service. 

Be able to read and write. 

Be of sound mind. 




You cannot serve on a jury if: 


You have been convicted of a felony or of any type of theft (unless rights have been restored) 

You are now on probation or deferred adjudication for a felony or for any type of theft; or 

You are now under indictment for a felony or are now under criminal charges for any type of theft. 

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 judge on the day you come to court, or contact the judge's office prior to then. 




 Who Can Be Excused From Jury Service? 


You are entitled to be excused as a juror if you: 

Are over 70 years of age; 

Have legal custody of a child under 10 years of age and jury service would leave the child unsupervised; 

Are a student in class at a private or public secondary school or are enrolled and in actual attendance at an institution of higher education; 

Have served as a petit juror in the county during the preceding 24-month period or have been called to serve within the last 6 months; 

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, or; 

Are the caretaker of a person who is unable to care for themselves (an invalid).




What Must I Do To Be Excused From Jury Service? 


If you are eligible to claim an exemption listed in the section above (also shown on the back of your Jury Summons) and wish to claim it, fill out the information on the Jury Exemption Statement part of the Jury Summons form, sign your name and enter the date, and return it to the address shown on your summons 



There is also a postponement available. Look below at the table of contents for additional juror information. 




Will I Be Paid For Being A Juror? 


Yes. You will be paid a minimum of $6.00 for each day you actually serve on the jury and for the initial "show-up" day. You will also be given an opportunity to donate your juror pay to one of several worthwhile charities related to the criminal justice system. 

Effective Jan 1, 2006 juror pay has been increased to $40 per day for each day of actual service 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. 




Dress Code 


Shorts are NOT permitted. Nor are "logo" T-shirts, dirty or torn clothing. Appropriate dress is required. 




What Should I Bring With Me When Reporting For Service? 


Bring your completed JURY SUMMONS form that you received in the mail. 

It is also a good idea to bring a magazine or other appropriate reading material as there are times when prospective jurors must wait while litigants, attorneys, judges and clerks perform functions separate from jurors. If selected to serve in petit jury, the judge in the court will issue specific instructions that may differ from those listed herein. You may also want to bring a light jacket or sweater as some of the courtrooms can be cool at times. 




here Do I Report To For Jury Service? 


You are to report to the District Court courtroom at the address shown on your 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. 




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. 




How Is A Juror Selected For A Particular Case? 


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. 




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 times 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.



Instructions 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: 

physical comfort; 

special needs; 

any questions regarding evidence; or 

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 in 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. 


                                                 THIS PAGE IS CURRENTLY NOT IN USE 

This page provides information for both the 33rd and 424th District Courts. 

If you have been summoned for jury duty you can reference this page to determine the reporting status for the date summoned. 


IMPORTANT: You should check this page after 5:00PM on Friday for a Monday reporting date, or on the day before for a reporting date later in the week.

Dates to report sometimes must be postponed by a day or two, and sometimes by a matter of a week or more. You are required to abide by the instructions below.

Other information for jurors includes why jury weeks cancel and general information for prospective jurors. Also, please dress appropriately as befits the seriousness and solemnity of proceedings in the highest level of Texas trial court. A full courtroom decorum and demeanor can be found here. A one-time postponement can be requested online.

Go to the section for your county. If there is no status shown for your county, or if you want to otherwise check on the status, call the number indicated.

Please click on the link, and when you get to the spreadsheet, scroll down to find your county.