A prospective juror must be released entirely or rescheduled if the juror is required to appear in court on a religious holy day that is observed by the juror. ", 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. 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). We hope you find this information beneficial. The Brazoria County Courthouseis open on M-F from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. . Code of Criminal Procedure,Articles 35.16 et. But if she was aiming for a venire that reflected the countys population, she had a problem: Brazoria Countys population has become more diverse, changing from 51 percent non-white to 57 percent non-white in the years since 2015. 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. Do not tell other jurors your own personal experiences nor those of other persons, nor relate any special information. A juror's greatest reward is the knowledge that they have discharged this duty faithfully, honorably, and well. the Texas Crime Victim's Compensation Fund, a designated local family violence shelter; or. by: Magnolia832 4 OP. 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. It is also one of the most politically moderate parts of the county.). 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. 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. However, the court may not excuse a juror for an economic reason unless each party of record is present and approves the release. Gabriel Garcia Brazos County District Clerk 300 E. 26th Street, Suite 1200 Listen for the judge to give you instructions about when to come forward to discuss your need to be excused based on some hardship. After all challenges are utilized, a jury with one to four alternates is impaneled to hear the evidence in the case. 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. The following day, the district clerk in question, retired. Also, you may need money to pay for snacks, lunch, or pay phones. Angleton, TX 77515-4678, Brazoria County Courthouse I believe thats generally the case, he said. As a result of her idiosyncratic system, thousands of verdicts could potentially be overturned, and the county could face an avalanche of lawsuits claiming wrongful convictions. For more information visit Brazoria County District Clerk's jury info. Jury service is a privilege that offers the average citizen an unequaled opportunity to influence and deliberate over fundamental matters of justice. 53. The DA's office has received information that leads them to believe jury panels may have been assembled improperly. You might also contact the judge or the district clerk's office or check the local web page for additional information. "We have identified four families whose loved ones were tried by all white juries," said Quanell X. Allen, TX Arlington, TX Arlington, TX Test . If you have questions about your jury summons or jury duty, please contact the appropriate court or judge as indicated on the jury summons. Meanwhile, community activist Quanell X is now working with families who say their loved ones trials were impacted by how these juries were assembled. Citing the Texas Rangers ongoing investigation, which is expected to wrap up by the end of this month, Selleck would not comment further about what Barchak did with those four piles of cards, or about any other details of the case. Mimi Swartz is a staff writer based in Houston. Hale County, TX Hermiston, OR Hill County, TX Lake Oswego, OR McKinney, TX . To be qualified to serve as a juror you must: Jurors are paid for their service. There are parents out there who had their rights terminated, Purvis said. My question is, why did it have to be so complicated? he said. JURY SERVICE. Although the courts make every effort to avoid delays, they sometimes will occur. Because jury duty involves some waiting, bring something to read to help you pass the time. 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, Brazoria County Awarded Certificate of Achievement, TxDOT Long Term Closures for Bridge Replacements, DSHS recalls oysters harvested in area of southeastern Galveston Bay. Jury lists are created using names randomly selected from our water utility listing. However, the majority, usually more than two-thirds, of all summoned jurors are NOT actually selected for service, therefore, their duty ends after a short time with the completion of the jury selection process. The grand jury's decision not to . BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- The Texas Rangers are being called in to investigate after the Brazoria County District Attorney's Office found out about potential "irregularities" in the district clerk's office, specifically regarding the jury assembly process. Be a resident of this state and a resident of the county in which you are to serve as a juror. Her attorney says the method was harmless, but the Texas Rangers are investigating. "If it was something where these were truly, not-randomly-drawn perspective jurors, that could mean that every single jury that was put together, every panel for every defendant or plaintiff, whoever it may be, under the watch of this district clerk when it was done improperly, would probably, almost assuredly, would be entitled to a new trial," explained Steve Shellist, ABC13's legal analyst. 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. The county may choose to provide additional forms of compensation or reimbursement, including: Your local court will provide you with information regarding the existence and extent of any of these programs. 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). 111 E Locust, Rm 102A, Angleton, TX77515-4678 seq.). Its free. Brazoria County Jury Duty is Canceled for Tuesday, January 19, 2021. He began hearing rumors about Barchaks system around the time of the DAs announcement in August. I am of sound mind and good moral character. I dont know why [Barchak] moved away from it., Jeff Purvis has practiced law in Brazoria County for more than two decades, first as a prosecutor and then as a defense attorney. A venire evenly divided between white and non-white residents would have meant underrepresentation of people of color on juries. SB0168E 12/15 41651 12/15 The judge will give you an approximate time when you are assigned to a particular court. Pour en savoir plus sur notre utilisation de vos informations, veuillez consulter notre Politique relative la vie prive et notre Politique en matire de cookies. Penalties for Failure to Answer Summons. Figuring out what to do when you have been summoned for jury duty can be confusing and frustrating. The district attorney considers the case closed, but it may not be over. 111 E. Locust, Suite 500 Texas does not specify the randomization method that clerks must use, he said, so Barchaks system was fairer than simply shuffling the cards. These rules apply to jurors the same as they apply to the parties and to me. Is any of the above incorrect? Occasionally, we have a juror who privately seeks out information about a case on trial. 300 East 26th Street. *Payment is processed at the end of jury service, and a check is mailed to each juror within three to four weeks of their service.*. You do not need any special skills or legal knowledge to be a juror! Chip Gaines Bought Larry McMurtrys Historic Texas Bookstore. Questions & Additional Information If you have any questions related to your juror summons or if you are unable to serve for a reason(s) other than exemptions, please call 979-849-2471 and speak to a clerk for information. Rest assured that there is usually a valid reason for any delays and the judge is aware that you are waiting. Are over 70 years of age (You may also request a permanent age 70 exemption. Penalty for Defaulting Jurors.). Barchak, who resigned in late August after having held the post since 2010, divided up jurors by geographical region, and then by race, to assemble panels for criminal, civil, and family-law trials. $100 bond set for catalytic converter theft suspect's evading charge, Man on parole for murder charged in connection to Leslie Obi's killing, Oak pollen already a big problem, but strong storms could wash it away. Activist Quanell X, who has been public about his concerns for months, staging rallies and protests outside of the county courthouse, said he wants the department of justice involved. Own the property in the year in which you apply. Official Court proceedings are held at the City Hall Municipal Building in the Municipal Courtroom\City Council Chambers. Citizens on the list are randomly selected and mailed a summons to report for jury service. She served in that role . The district attorney considers the matter closed and that "currently, based on the investigation (by the Texas Rangers) there are no cases or convictions being reviewed. Its daily. The reason she divided the cards into four categories, he said, was to ensure a representative distribution of potential jurors. We will then forward this information to the Brazoria County elections department. Please write on the front or back of the summons Deceased and return to our office. To tell the other jurors any of this information is a violation of these instructions. Texas has a statutory exemption that allows individuals over a certain age to request exemption from jury duty. According to the Brazoria County website, the clerk in question was elected in 2010. Both the Constitution of the United States and the Texas Constitution guarantee the right to a trial by jury. RELATED: Families want feds to look into Brazoria Co. jury process: 'The truth is always going to come out'. TikTok Is Banking On Project Texas to Avoid a U.S. Ban. Jurors may donate their pay to a number of organizations that have been approved by the Brazoria County Commissioners Court. I desire to obtain a permanent exemption from jury service because I am over 70 years of age. Be aware that you will likely be asked to shut off pagers and cellular phones before entering the jury room or courtroom. Court System Type: County Constitutional Court Division: Contact Information: Phone Number: 979-864-1200 Website: http://www.brazoria-county.com/directory.asp "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.". She always did everything possible to ensure juries in Brazoria County reflected a properly representative cross section of the community. Both you and other prospective jurors who report for jury service will be given an opportunity to voluntarily donate your juror pay to certain local or state charitable causes. However, you may choose to be excused if you: (Texas Government Code 62.106. (The city, with a population of 122,000, is the conservative countys largest, accounting for one third of its population. Unfortunately, prospective jurors who appear and participate in the jury selection process will spend a great deal of time waiting. The Brazoria County District Attorney's Office has received information that leads them to believe jury panels may have been assembled in a manner "inconsistent with applicable statutes and law." 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. YES! 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. At this time the only type of employment that may claim an exemption from jury duty is exemption No. Let us know here, 23rd District Court111 E Locust, Rm 4040.0 mile away, 149th District Court111 E Locust, Rm 214A0.0 mile away, 239th District Court111 E Locust, Rm 310A0.0 mile away, 2023 Everything-Bytes | Terms of Use & Privacy Policy. ); Are the primary caretaker of a person who is unable to care for himself or herself (This exemption does not apply to health care workers. If you have any questions related to your juror summons or if you are unable to serve for a reason(s) other than exemptions, please call 979-849-2471 and speak to a clerk for information. I am a citizen of the state of Texas and a resident of Brazoria County. Receiving a summons for jury duty does not mean that you will actually serve on a jury. The Jury Services Department coordinates the creation and service of jury panels for the District Courts, County Courts at Law, and the Justice of the Peace Courts. Visit our Links Page for websites providing Employment Listings, as well as US Government holiday closings. 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 . At some point during the jury selection process, prospective jurors are given an oath by which they swear or affirm to tell the truth when answering questions about their qualifications as jurors. But What Is It? Jury duty is a valuable service to the community and is an important responsibility since jurors determine a defendants guilt or innocence and, in the case of a guilty finding, assess fines. 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. . Slectionnez Grer les paramtres pour grer vos prfrences. Note that jurors and others can be called upon to testify in open court about acts of jury misconduct. If you would like to serve even though you are eligible for an exemption then we certainly appreciate your choosing to do so. RELATED: Brazoria County District Clerk's Office under investigation over 'irregularities' in jury process, "They would sort them into four separate piles," Bauman said. 1400 LUBBOCK, ROOM 214. . 4 below. But when the selected jurors in Brazoria arrived for dutyusually on Monday mornings at the county courthouse in AngletonBarchaks method of dividing them up for trials diverged sharply from the systems used by other Texas district clerks, who typically draw cardsrandomly from a stack or use technology to automate a random selection. Bowie County Jury Trial Plan: 11: Brazoria: Brazoria County Recertification: Brazoria County: Brazoria County Jury Trial Plan: 02: Brazos: Brazos County Recertification: Brazos County: Brazos County Jury Trial Plan: 06: Brewster Brewster County: Brewster County Jury Trial Plan: 09: Briscoe Briscoe County 05: Brooks Brooks County 07: Brown Brown . Please note: Families want answers in Brazoria County jury selection: 'This is ridiculous' By Courtney Carpenter. While Barchak has remained silent since stepping down, her attorney, Chip Lewis, gave Texas Monthly an accountpublished here for the first timeof her method of selecting jurors, asserting that her only aim was to assemble a representative cross section of the countys population. Be sure that you know where you are supposed to report. Do not accept from, nor give to, any of those persons any favors however slight, such as rides, food, or refreshments. Also, try to keep an open mind about your jury service and remember that you are playing an essential role in our justice system. ", -U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren (1962). You can also expect to receive a brief orientation in the courtroom or in the jury assembly room regarding jury service. Jury Duty. Do not discuss or consider attorney's fees unless evidence about attorney's fees is admitted. Jury registration is a simple process that can be completed: Online through the My Jury Duty Portal found here; On the telephone by calling (213) 972-0970 and selecting the "Registration" option from the menu. You might also bring a light sweater or jacket in case the temperature in the courthouse is somewhat cold. Do not mingle with nor talk to the lawyers, the witnesses, the parties, or any other person who might be connected with or interested in the case, except for casual greetings. not have been convicted of, or be under indictment or other legal accusation for, misdemeanor theft or a felony. Brazoria County resident Linda Hagger believes her son, Brandon Williams, was wrongly convicted 11 years ago. The former district clerk in question has now retired. 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. You must follow the instructions on your jury summons or contact the judge to find out what you need to do to be exempted from jury service. 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. http://www.brazoria-county.com/directory.asp, The Public Access to Court Records (PACER). Website: http://www.brazoria-county.com/directory.asp, Staff: Senior Administrator - Alice Logsdon. "Rhonda assumed the duties of the Brazoria County District Clerk on July 2, 2010. My address is _____. If any of these apply to you, contact the court to verify they observe the exemption. 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Jurors may donate their pay to a trial by jury indictment or other legal accusation for, theft...
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