JURY DUTY
JURY DUTY IS CIVIC DUTY
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 on our courts. It is one of the most important civic duties a citizen can perform, and this site is intended to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible.
WHY I WAS SELECTED?
Jurors are selected at random from a list of Loving County voter registrations and driver registrations. 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.
If you have been selected, you have received a letter, containing A Juror Questionnaire/Exemption form. Please fill out and mail back as soon as possible. If unable to do so, bring completed form on the day of selection.
Any person charged with a criminal offense or any party to a civil case has a right to a jury trial. All parties are equal before the law and each is entitled to the same fair treatment.
DO I QUALIFY?
To serve as a juror you must meet qualifications. A qualified juror:
- Is at least 18 years of age;
- Is a citizen of Texas and a resident of Loving County;
- Is qualified under the constitution and laws to vote in Loving County (Note: you do not have to be registered to vote.);
- Is of sound mind and good moral character;
- Is able to read and write English;
- has not served as a petit juror for six days during the preceding three months in the county court or during the preceding six months in the district court;
- Has not been convicted of misdemeanor theft or a felony; and
- Is not under indictment or other legal accusation for misdemeanor theft or a felony.
(Ch. 480, Sec. 62.102 Government Code And Article 35.16 Code of Criminal Procedure)
JURY DUTY EXEMPTIONS
- You are not required to claim an exemption. An exemption may be requested if the juror:
- Is over 70 years of age;
- Has legal custody of a child or children younger than 12 years of age and serving on the jury requires leaving the child or children without adequate supervision;
- Is a student of a public or private high school (must provide proof);
- Is a person enrolled and in actual attendance at an institution of higher education (must provide proof);
- Is an officer or an employee of the Senate, the House of Representatives, or any department in the legislative branch of the state government (statement must be notarized);
- Is the primary caretaker of a person who is an invalid, unable to care for themself (This exemption does not apply to health care workers.);
- Has served as a juror in the district courts or county courts of Loving County within the last 36 months; or
- Is a member of the United States military forces serving on active duty and deployed to a location away from the person’s home station and out of the person’s county of residence.
- To claim an exemption you must complete the form on the jury summons, sign it, and return the form in person or by mail to the following address:
Loving County Clerk
P.O. BOX 194
Mentone, Texas 79754