• Eligibility & Exemptions
• FAQ’s

Jury service is an extremely important responsibility. Jurors make it possible for our courts to fulfill this constitutional guarantee. Justice depends on the quality of the jurors who serve in our courts. A juror must be fair and impartial and able to make decisions free of any bias or prejudice. Jurors are charged with carefully listening to and evaluating the evidence presented in the case.

The United States Constitution and the Texas Constitution guarantee all people, regardless of race, religion, gender, national origin or economic status, the right to trial by an impartial jury.

About the jury selection process

When you arrive at the Jury Assembly Room, please check in with the jury administrator and be seated. A Judge will administer the Oath to the jurors present, provide a brief overview about jury service, and answer questions. The Judge will also speak to jurors individually who are requesting exemption from service.

While in court

A Court session begins when the Court Bailiff calls the court to order. All parties present rise upon the Judge taking the bench. Once the Judge takes his/her place on the bench, the Court Bailiff announces that Court is in session. A similar procedure is used when the Court adjourns. Common courtesy and politeness are safe guides as to the way jurors should act. As mentioned previously, no reading is permitted in the courtroom, nor should a juror carry on a conversation in the courtroom during the trial.

It is our goal to treat our jurors with the utmost respect and consideration. Their comfort and convenience will be served whenever possible. Jurors should bring to the attention of the Judge or Court personnel any matter affecting their service or if an emergency should arise.

Penalties for failure to answer summons

The Government Code states that a person who fails to comply with this summons is subject to a contempt action punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 (§62.0141). Additionally, a person shall be fined not less than $10 nor more than $100 if he: (1) fails to attend court in obedience to the notice without reasonable excuse; or (2) files a false claim of exemption from jury service (§62.111).

Eligibility & Exemptions

Juror Exemption Request Form

EXEMPTIONS FROM JURY SERVICE

• You are over 70 years of age.
• You have legal custody of a child or children younger than 15 years of age and service on the jury would require leaving the child or children without adequate supervision.
• You are a student at a public or private high school.
• You are 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 of state government.
• You 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.)
• You 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;
• You 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.
• You 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.

YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO CLAIM AN EXEMPTION. IT IS YOUR CHOICE.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR JURY SERVICE

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 City of Lufkin;
• 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 been convicted of, or be under indictment or other legal accusation for, misdemeanor theft or a felony; and
• be a resident of the City of Lufkin for which the court is established (Government Code,Section 62.501)

Business Excuses

Missing jury service for a business reason is not a lawful excuse from jury service.

Travel/vacation Excuses

These excuses may be granted or denied at the discretion of the court. To request a travel/vacation excuse you must provide airline or other method of travel tickets in your name; hotel reservation confirmation information; seminar confirmation information; and/or an itinerary for your travel. To make a request to be excused from jury service for this reason, please complete the back page of your jury summons. You should then either mail it back to the court, drop it by the court in person, or fax it to the court at 903-531-1369 and include the any of the other information showing proof of your travel/vacation plans.

Proving "disqualification", "exemption", or offer any other excuse to the court prior to my jury service date

To make a request to be excused from jury service, please complete the back page of your jury summons. You should then either mail it back to the court, drop it by the court in person, or fax it to the court at 936-639-9646.