Introduction:
Did you know that a citizen's right to a trial by jury can be traced back to both the United States Constitution and the Texas Declaration of Independence? Although the right to a jury trial is considered a fundamental safeguard of each American's constitutional liberties, the concept of a jury trial is hardly new, dating back to medieval England.
Your jury summons puts you in the center of this most basic right of all Americans. The United States and the State of Texas Constitutions guarantee a right to trial by jury for anyone accused of a crime, regardless of his or her race, religion, gender, national origin or economic status. Any time the facts of a civil or criminal case are in dispute, the parties have a right to have their case heard by a jury of fair and impartial citizens who will make decisions without bias or prejudice.
To Have a Jury Trial, There Must Be a Jury
And to have a jury, citizens from all walks of life must be called upon to participate. Because you have received a jury summons, you are now part of this important process.
In a sense, it is an adventure. You have the opportunity to see the justice system in action, meet a wide range of people, and if you are chosen to serve on a jury, participate in one of this country's most fundamental processes.
Although your jury summons may disrupt your daily routine, we ask that you participate with an open mind, patience and an understanding of the essential role you have in our justice system.
Juror Selection Process
The process for selecting prospective jurors is mandated by state law. Due to current Texas legislation if you are a registered voter, or have a Texas driver's license or Texas personal identification card and you live in Orange County, your name is entered in a computer system designed to randomly select prospective jurors.
When directed by the State District Courts of Orange County, the District Clerk through our I-Juror automated Jury System summons the Jurors for the pre-selected dates. Those selected for that month receive a summons in the mail.
Once you have served on a jury, your name will not be re-entered into the pool for six (6) months.
You can be exempted from jury duty in certain circumstances. These reasons for exemption do not disqualify you from serving -- even though you may qualify for an exemption you can still serve on a jury.
But certain circumstances can impose considerable hardship for some people. If any of the following exemptions apply to you, the form on the back of the jury summons can be completed and mailed back to the Orange County Court Administrator's Office.
- You are over 75 years of age
- You have legal custody of a child or children younger than 12 years of age and your service on the jury requires leaving the child or children without adequate supervision.
- You are a student of a public or private high school.
- You are a person 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 or state government.
- You are the primary caretaker of a person who is an invalid unable to care for themselves.
- Active Military out of county.
Medical Exemption
If you are currently under doctors care due to medical reasons and you are not able to serve at this time an excuse from your doctor may be faxed to (409) 882-7016 and service will be delayed to another date.
PERMANENT MEDICAL EXEMPTION
If you have a physical or mental impairment you may request a permanent exemption from jury service. The permanent exemption requires your physician's signature and your signature must be notarized. You MUST return ORIGINAL AFFIDAVIT. Bring or Mail to Court Administrator 801 Division Rm. 327; Orange, Texas 77630
Non-Allowable Exemptions
There are several common reasons given for exemption requests which are not allowable:
- being the sole owner of a business
- have an employer who will not pay you for your jury service (although financial hardship caused by jury service may be considered).
Jury Duty and Your Job
The law protects your job while you are fulfilling your jury duty and you can not be fired for serving. Your employer is not, required to pay you for the time missed from work while on jury duty.
Tips to Make Your Jury Service More Enjoyable
Knowing where you are going and what to expect when you get there can make any experience more enjoyable, and jury service is no exception. Getting to the Orange County Courthouse, finding the Jury Assembly Room, and arriving prepared are not nearly as tough as you might think.
Come Prepared
You MUST bring your completed jury summons with you when you report for jury duty. If there is a questionnaire please fill out and sign your summons prior to reporting.
In addition, you may want to bring something to do while you wait in the Jury Assembly Room. Jury duty does involve some waiting, so a good book or handwork will help pass the time.
You may also want to bring money for snacks, drinks, and lunch. There is a snack bar handy for snacks during breaks.
Dress the Part
You may be selected for and actually serve on a jury the day you are summoned, so it's important that you dress appropriately. Jury service is serious business, and you should dress accordingly. Business attire is recommended.
Shorts, hats, tank tops and flip-flop sandals are not allowed. T-shirts with derogatory images or messages are also not considered appropriate. When in doubt, dress seriously but with comfort in mind. Jury service can involve a good deal of sitting.
What Your Jury Service Involves
Once you have arrived at the Jury Assembly Room, your jury service is underway. You'll find that the systemn is set up to guide you along with clear instructions throughout the process. Whether you are selected for a jury or not, you will still be providing an essential part of the trial by jury system.
Where To Go Once You've Arrived at the Courthouse
Your jury service starts in the Jury Assembly room, located on the second floor of the Orange County Courthouse.
Before you are allowed to enter, you will pass through a metal detector. Please remember that absolutely no weapons of any kind including: guns, knives, tasers, lighters, vapes, pepper-spray, drugs & alcohol are NOT allowed in the building.
What to Expect
If you are not selected for a jury, you can expect to be finished in about half a day. If you are selected, you will serve for one trial. Surprisingly, the average trial lasts only three (3) days.
When you arrive at the Orange County Courthouse, please report to the second floor for Jury Check-In instructions. After checking in, prospective jurors will be given a brief orientation by the Orange County District Clerk's Office. The impaneling Judge will give further instructions and hear possible exemptions and qualifications.
Prospective jurors are assigned to panels, smaller groups from which jurors are selected. The jurors are briefed by the judge and questioned by attorneys for both sides until the jurors who will hear the case are chosen. Once the jury has been selected, those on the panel who are not chosen are sent home.
Getting Paid for Jury Service
Jurors are paid for their service. Payments are processed at the end of the jury service, and a check is mailed to each juror within two (2) weeks of their jury service.
You've Been Selected for a Jury -- What Now?
If you are selected to serve, this will be an opportunity to see our justice system in action firsthand.
A Day in the Life of a Juror
Each trial is as unique as the people involved, and there is no way to predict how long the trial you are chosen for will last. A trial can last a day or take two or three days. They are seldom much longer.
During the trial, the judge will tell you what time you need to be in court each day and what time to expect each day to end. You will also be given a break for lunch.
Trials follow a set procedure which you may find familiar.
Opening Statement: Attorneys for each side may explain the case, outline any evidence they will present, and discuss the issues you will decide. This is usually a broad statement which sets the stage for witnesses and the details to follow.
Presentation of Evidence: Testimony of witnesses and exhibits are all evidence. Any exhibits will be available to the jury during their deliberations. Because you will be deciding the case based on the facts presented, it is very important to pay close attention to all evidence.
Rulings by the Judge: The judge may be asked to decide questions of law during the trial. He may ask jurors to leave the courtroom while lawyers make legal arguments. If this happens, understand that these issues must be decided so that proper evidence can be considered by the jury.
Instruction to the Jury: After all evidence has been presented, the judge may give the jury the Charge of the Court. This includes legal instructions about the case and the questions the jury must answer.
Closing Arguments: This gives the lawyers an opportunity to summarize the evidence and to try to persuade the jury to accept their client's view of the case.
Jury Deliberations and Decision: After hearing the closing arguments, the jury is sent to deliberate. During deliberations, members of the jury will decide how they will answer the questions presented in the Charge of Court and then return a final verdict.
Sequestered Juries
Sequestered juries are very rare. Before you are assigned to such a jury, you will have an opportunity to discuss with the judge any problems this might create.
Still Have Questions?
If you still have questions about your summons or jury duty, please call the Orange County Court Administrators Office at (409)882-7075 or (409)769-2400 ext.7075. Or if you want to e-mail the Orange County Court Administrators Office you can e-mail any questions to Robbie Ann Herford.
We understand you have questions, and we will do everything we can make to your jury service easy and as interesting as possible. We rely on our citizens to keep our justice system running, and we thank you in advance for the very important part you play.
