brazoria county jury duty

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). ", RELATED: FBI joins investigation into Brazoria County selection case, activist says, Barchak's attorney sent a statement to ABC13 which read, "We would like to thank the Brazoria County D.A. The length of time a case may be in trial varies with each case. While the lawyers are aware of your answers to the questionnaire that you filled out earlier, the lawyers and the judge may still ask you some of the same questions and some additional questions to ensure that you are indeed qualified to serve, and that you are indeed able to perform your civic duty in a fair and impartial manner. *county-courthouse.com is not affiliated with the Official US Government, or any state, local, or federal office. Do not accept from, nor give to, any of those persons any favors however slight, such as rides, food, or refreshments. Not have been convicted of, or be under indictment or legal accusation for, a misdemeanor theft or a felony; not be on probation for a misdemeanor theft or a felony. . As in all Texas counties, eligible Brazoria residents are summoned to jury duty at random, based on an electronic list provided by the Texas Secretary of State. ", But, a grand jury chose not to indict her. Please write on the front or back of the summons Deceased and return to our office. An employer who terminates, threatens to terminate, penalizes, or threatens to penalize an employee because the employee performs jury duty is subject to sanctions for contempt of court and payment of damages to the employee. Why did I receive a summons and what do I do now? At no point did they sort jurors by race or geographic region, he said. Selleck, the district attorney, confirmed for the first time on Friday that Barchack sorted juror cards into the four categories Lewis described. The easiest way to get out of jury duty is by not being qualified in the first place. Starkey and Meyers declined to speak about Barchaks system. This guide gives you the information you need when you have been called for jury duty and directs you to additional resources that can explain the court system and jury process. Do not make personal inspections, observations, investigations, or experiments nor personally view premises, things or articles not produced in court. Lewis said Barchak knew nothing about the trials for which jurors were being selected. 300 East 26th Street. You can also expect to receive a brief orientation in the courtroom or in the jury assembly room regarding jury service. The Brazoria County District Attorney's Office has received information that leads them to believe jury panels may have been assembled improperly. As in most small Texas counties, where juror cards are still usedsome larger counties have switched to electronic systems, which generate randomized veniresall the cards are typically either shuffled in one big stack or mixed up on a table to create a stack. 111 E Locust, Rm 102A, Angleton, TX77515-4678 Listen for the judge to give you instructions about when to come forward to discuss your need to be excused based on some hardship. Jurors aid in the maintenance of law and order and uphold justice among their fellow citizens. The court has the discretion to hear any reasonable sworn excuse of a prospective juror and either release the juror from jury service or reschedule the juror's jury service for another day. To tell the other jurors any of this information is a violation of these instructions. "The men and women who are called upon to serve on juries in both our federal and state courts have maintained a standard of fairness and excellence throughout the history of our country. Theres a large cultural difference between Pearland and Freeporta small rural townalthough theyre in the same county.. Code of Criminal Procedure,Articles 35.16 et. With your cooperation and attention to detail, the jury selection process may run smoother and be completed faster. not have been convicted of, or be under indictment or other legal accusation for, misdemeanor theft or a felony. Do not tell other jurors your own personal experiences nor those of other persons, nor relate any special information. The Court entry and parking lot face Chenango Street. Is any of the above incorrect? In a statement sent to ABC13 on Friday, Brazoria County District Attorney Tom Selleck said, "The law requires jurors to be selected at random and it is this process that is alleged to have been conducted improperly.". Former Brazoria County District Clerk's jury pool selection process under scrutiny. Theres a tremendous amount of liability on the part of the county.. If you are unfamiliar with the courthouse and its surroundings you should carefully review the instructions that are included with summonses. You will be paid by the county in an amount not less than $6.00 and not more than $50.00 per day or fraction of a day served. 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. Brazoria County Jury Duty is Canceled for Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Bryan, TX 77803. Vous pouvez modifier vos choix tout moment en consultant vos paramtres de vie prive. She served in that role . HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002. (Texas Gov't Code 62.0141. I am a resident of the City of Angleton for which the court is established. (Applies only to counties with a population of at least 200,000 unless the county uses a jury plan under 62.011, Gov't Code, and the period authorized under 62.011(b) exceeds two years. This avoids a trial based upon secret evidence. In the event of any conflicts, the instructions and procedures given to you by the judge or the court should be followed. ANGLETON, Texas - The Texas Rangers Public Integrity Unit is now investigating an alleged corrupt jury selection process in Brazoria County that's been happening for more than a decade. I am qualified to serve under the Constitution and laws to vote in this county. To be qualified to serve as a juror you must: *Note that the completion of deferred adjudication is not a disqualifying "conviction". The process by which Barchak assembled the final stack is unclear. This discussion has been locked. A Grand Jury declined to indict a former Brazoria County District Clerk after she was accused of handpicking juries and the District attorney considers the case closed, but still it may not be over. Friday, October 8, 2021. 111 E. Locust St. Jury Duty. Wear shoes that are suitable for the court. The information contained on this web site is not intended to take the place of the instructions given by the judge or the court concerning any aspect of jury service. the Texas Crime Victim's Compensation Fund, a designated local family violence shelter; or. Official Court proceedings are held at the City Hall Municipal Building in the Municipal Courtroom\City Council Chambers. (979) 864-1836. Listen carefully and follow the instructions given by court personnel and the judge. On the morning of July 19, several hundred Brazoria County residents appeared for jury duty in downtown Angleton, a fifty-minute drive south of Houston. I am over 70 years of age. You will be asked to return the completed questionnaire to the court by mail, or to bring the completed questionnaire with you when you report for jury service. Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option, Elected Officials - County, State and Federal, American Rescue Plan Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, Brazoria County Hurricane Preparedness Expo, Brazoria County Local Emergency Planning Committee, Hurricane Harvey Substantial Damage Information, NOTICE to ALL CRIMINAL & JUVENILE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, Stephen F. Austin-Munson Historical County Park, Vendor Permits and Mass Gathering Information, Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Information, Brazoria County Independent School Districts, Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District. After all challenges are utilized, a jury with one to four alternates is impaneled to hear the evidence in the case. If you receive a call about missing jury duty, please call the Brazoria County District Clerk's Office phone number at 979-864-1836 and the Brazoria County District Attorney's Office at 979-864-1230. "I knew from the get-go when I heard about what was going on that something wasn't right pertaining to my son's case," Hagger said. Lewis declined to provide the names of those employees. They will have the same instructions and you will understand it when they do. Each county receives a list of potential jurors from the Secretary of State that consists of those individuals in the county that are registered to vote, hold a Texas driver's license, or hold a Texas identification card. Occasionally, we have a juror who privately seeks out information about a case on trial. Without having a very explicit statutory or court authorization for doing that, it strikes me as being legally problematic., Lewis said that Barchak began using the system around 2015, when the Texas Legislature outlawed the controversial key man method of grand jury selection, under which jury commissioners picked friends and colleagues to serve on grand juries, which determine whether there is enough evidence to file charges against someone. The Brazoria County Courthouseis open on M-F from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Because jury duty involves some waiting, bring something to read to help you pass the time. Lewis said Barchak received no training on how to randomize the cards, and that she learned the technique from other county employees. You dont need training to read the Code of Criminal Procedure, Sheppard said. Note that jurors and others can be called upon to testify in open court about acts of jury misconduct. Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. Also, you should dress comfortably because you may be in the courthouse for the entire day. Because you may serve on a jury the first day you report to serve, you should wear clothing reasonably befitting the dignity and solemnity of the court proceedings. You can, however, claim payment if your earnings are in any way affected by your participation. Claim for a Permanent Exemption from Jury Service Based on Age My name is _____. To serve as a juror you must meet the following qualifications: Be a citizen of Texas and a resident of Brazoria County in which you are to serve as a juror ; Be able to read and write ; Be at least 18 years . Each juror receives ten dollars ($10) for the first day of appearance and forty dollars ($40) for the second and any subsequent days of appearance. Her attorney is maintaining her innocence. Barchaks method, said Matagorda County district clerk Janice Hawthorne, takes away the whole random process., In additional to potentially violating state law, Barchaks system appears to differ from her own jury plan, which she submitted to the Brazoria County Commissioners Court for approval in 2018. The following day, the district clerk in question, retired. Ph: (979) 361-4224. A district court judge may permanently or temporarily exempt from jury service a person with a physical or mental impairment or with an inability to comprehend or communicate in the English language that makes it impossible or very difficult to serve on a jury. "I kept telling my son, 'I am not stopping until I come to some kind of conclusions on who did what,'" Hagger said. Judicial Committee on Information Technology, Task Force on Judicial Emergency Preparedness, Texas Commission to Expand Civil Legal Services, Timothy Cole Exoneration Review Commission, Guardianship Abuse, Fraud and Exploitation Deterrence Program (GAFEDP), Pretrial Risk Assessment Information System for Texas, Texas Records and Information Locator (TRAIL). Hale County, TX Hermiston, OR Hill County, TX Lake Oswego, OR McKinney, TX . Also, you may need money to pay for snacks, lunch, or pay phones. Simply follow the I-Jury information enclosed with the juror summons you received. These allegations about a corrupt process first surfaced in late August. Receiving a summons for jury duty does not mean that you will actually serve on a jury. 979-388-1836 (Brazosport) To be qualified to serve as a juror you must: Jurors are paid for their service. http://www.brazoria-county.com/directory.asp, The Public Access to Court Records (PACER). However, if you are qualified to serve and you do not ask to be excused or exempted, you will be able to participate in the jury selection process which may take only a day or a fraction of a day to complete. Suite 2214. She always did everything possible to ensure juries in Brazoria County reflected a properly representative cross section of the community. Wear a suit or dress with a skirt. In order to qualify for this exemption, the property owner needs to meet the following requirements: Complete the application process.*. Depending on local laws and specific court policies, exemptions MAY include persons over age 70, and those having recently served on a jury (usually within 1-3 years depending on county policy). Code 62.101. Penalty for Defaulting Jurors.). Please note: Nate Moore Sr., who served as deputy district clerk for sixteen years under Barchaks predecessor, said the county had no consistent system for selecting the venires. "Rhonda assumed the duties of the Brazoria County District Clerk on July 2, 2010. any other program(s) approved by the commissioners court. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A grand jury declined to indict a former Brazoria County District clerk after she was accused of handpicking jurors. The approved plan stipulated that the district clerk would randomly select panels of prospective jurors. Paula Hannaford, director of the Center for Jury Studies at the National Center for State Courts in Virginia, said Barchak would likely have needed specific authorization to diverge from the standard randomization process. *Not location specific. Most Lake Jackson cases are concluded the same day. ), (Texas Gov't Code 62.111. And its full of great reads, yall. Though the court or the county may provide parking or reimburse parking costs, you might have to pay them initially. "We have identified four families whose loved ones were tried by all white juries," said Quanell X. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. *Please call to verify. Do not let anyone else do any of these things for you. Be a resident of this state and a resident of the county in which you are to serve as a juror. Do not discuss anything about this case, or even mention it to anyone whomsoever, including your wife or husband nor permit anyone to mention it in your hearing until you are discharged as jurors or excused form this case. You need to contact the judge or the court to be exempted on this basis. 111 E. Locust, Suite 500 If you have any doubts as to your eligibility to serve on a jury, contact the judge or court as indicated on your jury summons. Because you will need to consider all of the evidence admitted by the judge, it is important that you pay close attention to the evidence as it is presented at trial. While the jury selection process may require your attendance for a day or a fraction of a day, jury duty generally lasts about one week. A venire evenly divided between white and non-white residents would have meant underrepresentation of people of color on juries. Gov. A person who receives a summons for jury service and fails to answer the summons as directed by the summons, is subject to a contempt action that is punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000. The Texas Rangers confirmed to ABC13 that their investigation is complete. The summons needs to be returned indicating that the person does not live at the address. Be qualified under the Constitution and laws to vote in this county in which you are to serve as a juror. Your attire should show respect for the court. CITY OF HOUSTON MUNICIPAL COURTS. "If you could do this to my son and all the other individuals and think it's okay then she needs to be punished according to what she did to them.". But the Legislature did not alter the system for selecting regular trial juries, and it remains unclear why Barchak would have changed her method at that time. Do not make any investigation about the facts of this case. The length of jury service will vary considerably for summoned jurors. Assists prospective jurors with assignment information and administers juror payments. Be aware that you will likely be asked to shut off pagers and cellular phones before entering the jury room or courtroom. Yes, you may take care of this matter by indicating on the back of the summons that they are enrolled in college and just sign your name as a parent and return to Jury Services. Brazoria County is 43 percent white, 31 . Families want answers in Brazoria County jury selection: 'This is ridiculous' By Courtney Carpenter. If you. "What is important about this whole thing is that juries and jury selection is the bedrock of our justice system," said Shellist. The community [stretches] from Pearland to Freeport, he said. jury duty. **Jury Trial has been canceled for Thursday, September 15, 2022. Call, or visit the court's website if listed above. Because jury duty involves some waiting, bring something to read to help you pass the time. Step 1: Dress inappropriate clothing: You should dress professionally and appropriately for jury duty. Take advantage of any free parking offered to prospective jurors. Now Shes Auctioning Off Her Archive. Multiple judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and dozens of other county employees were privy to the process of jury empanelment, he said, and no one ever expressed any dissatisfaction or complaint about the process, as the process did not disenfranchise [any] potential jurors. Top officials, including Brazoria County Judge Matt Sebesta, declined requests for an interview. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. The City of Angleton Municipal Court is located in the rear of the City Hall Municipal Building on Hwy 288B (Velasco Street). The law requires jurors be selected at random, said Selleck, also a Republican, and it is this process that is alleged to have been conducted improperly.. I believe thats generally the case, he said. Unfortunately, prospective jurors who appear and participate in the jury selection process will spend a great deal of time waiting. Are over 70 years of age (You may also request a permanent age 70 exemption. The acting district attorney for Brazoria County confirmed that his office did present findings to a grand jury today, and should conclude Thursday. As noted by the Honorable Tom C. Clark, Texan and former justice of the United States Supreme Court, "The jury system improves the quality of justice and is the sole means of keeping its administration attuned to community standards.". Houston Chronicle Reporter Anna Bauman read the report and explains how Barchak may have violated Texas law which states jury selection must be random. Although the courts make every effort to avoid delays, they sometimes will occur. Do not consider, discuss, nor speculate whether or not any party is or is not protected in whole or in part by insurance of any kind. Be a citizen of Texas and a resident of Brazoria County in which you are to serve as a juror, Be of sound mind and good moral character, Be qualified under the constitution and laws to vote in Brazoria County in which you are to serve as a juror (you do not have to be registered to vote to be qualified to vote), Currently living within the limits of the City of Lake Jackson, Not be under indictment or other legal accusation of a misdemeanor theft, felony theft, or any other felony charge, Not have been convicted of theft or any felony, Not have served as a juror for six days during the preceding three months in the county court or during the preceding six months in the district court. , Sheppard said region, he said serve as a juror you must: jurors paid. Court is located in the jury room or courtroom do not tell other jurors your own personal experiences nor of! The names of those employees fellow citizens, nor relate any special information be asked to off! 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