However, some courts may excuse you if serving on a jury and missing work would cause undue hardship to either yourself or your employer. If you do not qualify for any of the Texas statutory exemptions listed above but seriously think that attending jury selection would cause you undue hardship, you can always submit a jury duty excuse letter with your response to the summons, and ask to be excused. It will be at the discretion of the court that summoned you whether to accept or deny your excuse.
Keep in mind that your initial jury duty summons is only for attending jury selection day , where it will be decided if you are to actually serve on a jury during the "Voir Dire" process. If you can't get out of attending jury selection, there are many ways to raise the odds that you will be excused after jury selection without being selected to serve on a jury.
We value your feedback! Do you have a comment or correction concerning this page? Let us know in a single click. We read every comment! Toggle navigation JuryDuty Excused Not Excused. You can either select the Postponement or Excuse Request link above or put your request in writing. You must appear unless you are notified that the Court has granted your request. Box , Houston, TX The Court may postpone your jury service. A request for postponement must show specifically why the delay is unavoidable.
You are here Home Jurors Houston Division Juror Information Coronavirus Disease COVID Please read the following important information regarding COVID and jury service: In order to protect the health and safety of the jurors, the parties, the lawyers, and the court staff the following procedures have been implemented for jury selection and jury trials.
Masks are required to enter the building and must always be worn in public and shared spaces. If you do not have a mask, please identify yourself as a juror to the Court Security Officer, and a mask will be provided. Once you enter the building and pass through the initial security screening, you will proceed directly to the jury selection area. Floor decals and seating will be arranged for proper social distancing. Latex gloves will be available for those who wish to wear them, but gloves are not required.
Hand sanitizer alcohol based will be available at multiple locations inside the courthouse. You may ask court staff to make it available at any time during your service if it is not handy. Those selected for a jury panel will be seated in a courtroom large enough to achieve social distancing between panel members. The trial will be held in a courtroom large enough for parties, witnesses, lawyers, court staff, and others all to maintain social distancing easily.
The jury box, jury room, and jury room bathrooms will be cleaned each evening when the court recesses, and this will continue throughout the trial. Jurors will meet before court begins each day and will take recesses and deliberate in rooms large enough to permit easy social distancing.
Contact the Jury Office to arrange for a postponement if you: have been diagnosed by a licensed physician as having COVID anytime within the past 30 days; are actively caring for a family member or loved one who has tested positive for the COVID or is particularly vulnerable to severe consequences from COVID; or are now in self-quarantine status and that status will continue through your term of service. How do I complete the Qualification Questionnaire online?
To streamline the security screening process, you will be required to remove the following items and place them in a screening basket prior to walking through the metal detectors:. We recommend keeping track of all personal items as they pass through security. The City of Houston is not responsible for lost, unclaimed or stolen items.
Texas Penal Code Jurors serving at the City of Houston Municipal Courts are offered free parking at each court location. If you elect to park at a different location, you will be responsible for paying the posted daily rate. Please follow all instructions at any of the surrounding privately-owned parking facilities, as towing is strictly enforced.
The City of Houston is not responsible for any towing charges that may occur. Accessible parking is also available at the posted daily rate in the lot directly in front of the courthouse limited parking during peak morning hours from 8amam.
If you are hearing impaired and require assistance in communicating with the City of Houston Municipal Courts, please utilize the State of Texas Relay Service. Please note the contact information below regarding the Texas Relay Service.
You do not have to appear in person to claim a Disqualification or Exemption. Please see the information below:. The following accessories and items of clothing are not permitted at the City of Houston Municipal Courts:. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Director and Presiding Judge by email at presidingjudge houstontx.
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