Is It Possible to Get Out of Jury Duty in Texas?
The right to a trial by jury is one of the fundamental rights in our country, but for it to function properly, people must serve on a jury when called to do so. However, serving on a jury is not always convenient, especially in complex cases that could take days or weeks to resolve, such as a medical malpractice claim.
Keep reading to learn more about jury duty in Texas, including whether it’s possible to get out of serving on a jury and what might happen if you skip it without prior approval.
Who Gets Called for Jury Duty in Texas?
Many people wonder where the jury duty lists originate in Texas, and some mistakenly assume that voting in an election will result in being called for jury service.
Instead, courts may select jurors from the list of registered voters, those who hold a Texas driver’s license, or individuals who have a Texas identification card. If your name is selected to serve, you will receive a jury summons in the mail.
Getting Out of Jury Duty in Texas
There are several ways to avoid jury duty in Texas. First, you must meet all the juror qualifications to be able to serve on a jury, and if you do not meet these requirements, the court will excuse you from service.
Disqualification Based on Juror Requirements
If you fail to meet any of the following requirements, you may be disqualified from service, which will allow you to get out of jury duty even after you receive a summons in the mail.
The juror requirements in Texas are:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a resident of Texas and a resident of the county where you are called to serve
- Be qualified to vote in the county where you are called (not necessarily registered to vote)
- Be of sound mind and good moral character
- Be able to read and write
- Not have served as a juror for six days in the preceding three months in the county court or six months for the district court
- Not have been convicted of or be under indictment for misdemeanor theft or a felony
Failure to meet all of the requirements above is an automatic disqualifier. You may not serve on a jury if you fail to meet the requirements, even if you wanted to serve.
Exemptions from Jury Service
Many other exemptions can get you out of jury duty that are not automatic disqualifiers. While you may serve if you would like, even if you have one of these excuses, you can also claim these exemptions to avoid jury service.
You can get an exemption and ask to be excused if you:
- Are over 75 years old
- Need to care for a minor child under 12 years old
- Are a student at a secondary school
- Are enrolled and actually attend an institution of higher learning
- Are active duty military and are deployed away from your county of residence
- Would be required to serve on a religious holiday
- Are the primary caretaker for someone unable to care for themselves
Simply notify the court of your excuse, and they will decide if you meet the requirements for being excused. There could be other potential exceptions, so if you have concerns about your jury duty, you should contact court officials as soon as possible to learn more.
Voir Dire
Just because you are called for jury duty does not mean that you will actually serve on a jury. During the selection process, the lawyers in the case may strike you from the jury. For instance, if they believe that you cannot be unbiased in the current case, they may remove you from the juror pool.
What Happens if I Skip Jury Duty?
If you decide to skip jury duty without a valid excuse, you could face some serious penalties. In Texas, failing to appear for jury duty may be considered contempt of court. These charges may result in fines ranging from $100 to $1,000. If you receive a jury summons, you should always appear for service unless you get excused by the court before your appearance date.
Contact Our Friendswood Personal Injury Lawyers at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Jury duty is a vital component of the justice system in Texas. If you get called to serve, you may wonder if you can get out of doing it. It’s possible, but simply skipping out on jury duty without permission is generally not advisable.
If you need legal help, call The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with our Friendswood personal injury lawyers.
Please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers to get a free initial consultation today. We have offices in Friendswood and Galveston, Texas:
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Galveston Office
2101 Mechanic St. Suite 253
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 207-9299
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Friendswood Office
312 S. Friendswood Dr.
Friendswood, TX 77546
281-992-8633
