Jury Service

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.

Am I Eligible?

Jurors must:

• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Be a citizen of the United States;
• Be a resident of this state, the county, and of the city in which one is to serve as a juror;
• Be qualified under the Constitution and laws to vote in the county in which the individual is to serve as juror;
• Be of sound mind and good moral character;
• Be able to read, write and communicate in English;
• Not have served as a petit juror for six (6) days during the preceding three months in a county court or during the preceding six months in a district court.
• Not have not been convicted of a misdemeanor theft or felony;
• Not under indictment of other legal accusation for misdemeanor theft or a felony.

Who Can Be Excused from Jury Service?

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

• Are over 75 years of age;
• Have legal custody of a child under 12 years of age and person’s service on the jury requires leaving the child without adequate supervision;
• Are a student of a public or private secondary school;
• Are a person enrolled and in actual attendance of an institution of higher education;
• 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;
• Are a primary caretaker of a person who is unable to care for himself or herself;
• Are a member of the United States military forces serving on active duty and deployed away from the person’s home station and out of the person’s county of residence.

Jury Forms and Exemptions

We appreciate your cooperation and your services as a juror. “Jury Summons” forms must be completed and brought with you when reporting for jury duty. You may request an exemption in person, by mail, or by email at MCJury@cctexas.com by completing the jury summons questionnaire and submitting it prior to the date scheduled to serve.

If you wish to receive a response by email including cancellation notices, email your jury summons questionnaire to the Court at MCJury@cctexas.com and note “Jury Service” on the subject line.

Jury Trial Cancellations 

It is possible that jury trials be cancelled for various reasons. Below are a few of many examples a jury trial may be cancelled:

1. An attorney may have requested a continuance due to conflicting schedules,
2. The State may have requested a continuance,
3. The defendant and/or his/her attorney may have plead prior to trial, etc.

When a jury trial is cancelled, in most cases citizens have already been summoned and there is no immediate method for notifying you that your service is not needed.

If you are scheduled for tomorrow’s jury trial:

1. If it has not been cancelled your appearance is required.
2. If the jury trial you were summoned for has been cancelled, there is no further action needed from you and you do not have to appear.

For any questions or concerns contact the Municipal Court by email at MCJury@cctexas.com or by phone at (361) 826-2500.

What to expect when appearing for jury service:

Jurors are required to report to the City of Corpus Christi Municipal Court (see address below) at the time specified on the jury summons.

Municipal Court
120 N. Chaparral
Corpus Christi, Texas 78401

1. Free Parking is available in the parking lot at Coopers Alley and Water Street.
   -Parking for persons with disabilities is available at this lot and in front of the building.
2. Juror information forms must be filled out completely and submitted.
3. On the day of the trial, you will enter Municipal Court at the Chaparral entrance.
4. After you are screened through security, proceed to the area directed by security.
5. Submit your jury information sheet to court personnel and be seated.
6. Electronic devices, including laptops, tablets, cellular telephones and reading materials may be used while in the jury room while waiting to appear in Court. These devices may NOT be used during the trial or during deliberations.
7. While in the courtroom, ALL devices must be on silent or turned off.
8. Taking pictures, video or audio taping is prohibited during your service as a juror.
9. Reading materials may be brought on date of jury duty, however reading is NOT permitted in the courtroom.

NOTE: if you wish to be notified by email whether your service will be required, please send your email address to MCJury@cctexas.com and type the Jury Date summoned to in the subject line.

Juror Etiquette »

Why Jury Duty is Vital to the American Legal System and the Duties of a Juror

About the Jury Selection Process:

1. Prospective jurors are summoned randomly from a list of voters and driver registrations in Nueces County. When you are called to Court the judge will discuss juror qualifications and exemptions. Jurors that do not qualify or are exempt will be released from jury duty.
    
2. The remaining jurors will participate in voir dire. Voir dire is the process by which our jury is selected.
    
3. During voir dire prospective jurors are asked questions by both the prosecutor and the defense.
    
4. The prosecutor and the defense may then each strike 3 prospective jurors.
    
5. The prospective jurors remaining after this process is over will be sworn in and are the jurors that will serve for that trial.
    
6. Jury trials do not typically last longer than 1 day.