To ensure the safety of everyone at the courthouse, expect to be screened through a metal detector and X-ray unit. My date of birth is _____. This avoids a trial based upon secret evidence. Before choosing to reschedule your service please understand that you are limited to just ONE change so please be sure that you choose your new appearance date carefully. 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. Informations sur votre appareil et sur votre connexion Internet, y compris votre adresseIP, Navigation et recherche lors de lutilisation des sites Web et applications Yahoo. (979) 864-1836. That right has long been considered a fundamental safeguard of each American's civil liberties. The Court greatly appreciates citizens who participate in this service. A mother might say, my child was taken away from me, and that was illegally done by a jury. Brazoria County, TX Mugshots, Arrests, charges, current and former inmates. ", -U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren (1962). While some counties choose to mail a questionnaire to prospective jurors to determine their eligibility prior to mailing the official jury summons, other counties mail the questionnaire and the jury summons together. Starkey and Meyers declined to speak about Barchaks system. Penalties for Failure to Answer Summons. County of Brazos 300 E 26th Street Bryan, TX 77803 Email the County of Brazos More contact info . Court System Type: County Constitutional Court Division: Contact Information: Phone Number: 979-864-1200 Website: http://www.brazoria-county.com/directory.asp "We have identified four families whose loved ones were tried by all white juries," said Quanell X. JURY SERVICE. In the event of any conflicts, the instructions and procedures given to you by the judge or the court should be followed. Lewis said Barchak knew nothing about the trials for which jurors were being selected. I am a resident of the City of Angleton for which the court is established. If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. (. My question is, why did it have to be so complicated? he said. Unfortunately your employer is not currently required by Texas state law to pay you while you are serving jury duty. 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. 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. She served in that role . These allegations about a corrupt process first surfaced in late August. Because jury duty involves some waiting, bring something to read to help you pass the time. seq.). Occasionally, we have a juror who privately seeks out information about a case on trial. Barchaks methods were widely known to county officials, Lewis said. I am not under indictment or other legal accusation of a misdemeanor theft, felony theft or any other felony charge. 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. 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. Bryan, TX 77803. Just taking the cards and shuffling themmaybe they shuffled well, and maybe they didnt., Lewis claimed that Barchaks system ensured greater minority representation on juries than a random shuffle, while also providing greater representation of rural areas. A juror who is lawfully notified to attend court is subject to a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 if that juror either: fails to attend court in obedience to the notice without a reasonable excuse; or. To serve as a juror, you must meet the following specific qualifications: To claim an exemption from jury service contact the court Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 979-849-2471. Jurors are paid for their 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, Brazoria County Awarded Certificate of Achievement, TxDOT Long Term Closures for Bridge Replacements, DSHS recalls oysters harvested in area of southeastern Galveston Bay. Entering the courthouse with a prohibited weapon is against the law. 1400 LUBBOCK, ROOM 214. However, the Commissioners Court of a county may choose to reduce or eliminate the daily compensation for prospective jurors who attend court for only one day without actually serving on a jury. YES! The length of time a case may be in trial varies with each case. Meyers attorney, Dan Cogdell, wouldnt describe the system, but said it involved an attempt to ensure a more diverse venire. The Brazoria County Courthouseis open on M-F from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Lewis declined to provide the names of those employees. For more information about this topic, please refer to this website: www.BrazosCountyJury.com. 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. If any of these apply to you, contact the court to verify they observe the exemption. Searchable records from law enforcement. She always did everything possible to ensure juries in Brazoria County reflected a properly representative cross section of the community. If you know of, or learn anything about, this case except from the evidence admitted during the course of this trial, you should tell me about it at once. The Rangers report, made public in January, stated that Barchak confessed to 239th District Judge Patrick Sebesta that she separated jury cards into four categories: "Pearland white, Pearland non-white, non Pearland white, and non Pearland.". 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. At no point did they sort jurors by race or geographic region, he said. All Rights Reserved. Houston Chronicle Reporter Anna Bauman read the report and explains how Barchak may have violated Texas law which states jury selection must be random. To be qualified to serve as a juror you must: Jurors are paid for their service. They will have the same instructions and you will understand it when they do. Website: http://www.brazoria-county.com/directory.asp, Staff: Senior Administrator - Alice Logsdon. Bring money. Hale County, TX Hermiston, OR Hill County, TX Lake Oswego, OR McKinney, TX . A Brazoria County jury took less than two hours to convict Clear Lake-area resident Amber Willemsen of intoxication manslaughter on Tuesday, in the June 12, 2016, wreck that killed Pearland . RELATED: Brazoria County District Clerk's Office under investigation over 'irregularities' in jury process, "They would sort them into four separate piles," Bauman said. and the Texas Rangers for their thorough and thoughtful investigation. The easiest way to get out of jury duty is by not being qualified in the first place. by: Magnolia832 4 OP. 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. Her attorney says the method was harmless, but the Texas Rangers are investigating. Step 2: Maintain hygiene: You should make sure your hair is clean, your skin is clean, your teeth are brushed, and your fingernails are trimmed. . Their attempt was to increase the racial inclusiveness, Cogdell said, not decrease the racial inclusiveness., If courts find Barchaks method illegal or unconstitutional, thousands of criminal, civil, and family court verdicts could be subject to appeal, and the county may be open to civil liability. The grand jury's decision not to . The community [stretches] from Pearland to Freeport, he said. 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. Linda Coffee Argued Roe v. Wade. With your cooperation and attention to detail, the jury selection process may run smoother and be completed faster. Vous pouvez modifier vos choix tout moment en consultant vos paramtres de vie prive. You will need to check with your local courthouse regarding special amenities. After all challenges are utilized, a jury with one to four alternates is impaneled to hear the evidence in the case. You might also contact the judge or the district clerk's office or check the local web page for additional information. **Jury Trial has been canceled for Thursday, September 15, 2022. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. August 27, 2021, 9:30 PM. The following day, the district clerk in question, retired. You are not required to claim an exemption from jury service. Lewis said Barchak received no training on how to randomize the cards, and that she learned the technique from other county employees. If you were summoned and you no longer reside in Angleton, contact the voter registration office to have your named removed from their list. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. "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. This discussion has been locked. 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. EMBED <> More Videos The Court entry and parking lot face Chenango Street. 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. Those stacks would then be used to assemble the venires (panels from which juries are drawn) for the weeks trials. The former district clerk in question has now retired. You will not be asked, and you should not consider, whether one party or the other should win. I am of sound mind and good moral character. Do not tell other jurors your own personal experiences nor those of other persons, nor relate any special information. Do not make personal inspections, observations, investigations, or experiments nor personally view premises, things or articles not produced in court. 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 . However, the court may not excuse a juror for an economic reason unless each party of record is present and approves the release. Call your District Clerk's office. You need to contact the judge or the court to be exempted on this basis. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. If your county participates in I-Jury Online Impaneling and you have access to the internet, you may respond to your summons online and submit any scheduling conflicts without making a trip to the courthouse. What matters to him is that the law is followed, Green says. A juror may have special knowledge of matters such as business, technical or professional matters or he may have expert knowledge or opinions, or he may know what happened in this or some other lawsuit. Also, you may need money to pay for snacks, lunch, or pay phones. Both the Constitution of the United States and the Texas Constitution guarantee the right to a trial by jury. 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. 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. General Qualifications for Jury Service. 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." The judge will instruct you to adhere to the following basic rules: At the conclusion of all the evidence, the judge may give you a written charge that asks you some specific questions. Its not that hard.. The district attorney considers the case closed, but it may not be over. A juror's greatest reward is the knowledge that they have discharged this duty faithfully, honorably, and well. Rhonda Barchak was the Brazoria County District Clerk for 11 years. Find your jury summons. Texas does not specify the randomization method that clerks must use, he said, so Barchaks system was fairer than simply shuffling the cards. Are over 70 years of age (You may also request a permanent age 70 exemption. not have been convicted of, or be under indictment or other legal accusation for, misdemeanor theft or a felony. Selleck, the district attorney, confirmed for the first time on Friday that Barchack sorted juror cards into the four categories Lewis described. Wear shoes that are suitable for the court. 500, Angleton, TX 77515. 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). However, you may choose to be excused if you: (Texas Government Code 62.106. For more information visit Brazoria County District Clerk's jury info. At this time the only type of employment that may claim an exemption from jury duty is exemption No. Brazoria County is 43 percent white, 31 . 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. Next, Lewis said, Barchak would subdivide the two geographical piles into white and non-white jurors. Assists prospective jurors with assignment information and administers juror payments. Slectionnez Grer les paramtres pour grer vos prfrences. Gov. With your participation as a Texas juror, our constitutional right to an impartial jury is protected. Texas Lege Watch: A House Republican Fights for Chicken Freedom, Wendy Davis Returns to the Texas Capitol and a Whole New Political Landscape, Red McCombs Turned Old San Antonio on Its Head, Attorney General Ken Paxton Agrees to Apologize and Pay $3.3 Million to Whistleblowers, Running Into Fire: The Legacy of Jeff Blackburn, Inside the Bro-tastic Party Mansions Upending a Historic Austin Community, How Florence ButtNot Her SonLaunched the H-E-B Empire. Jurors aid in the maintenance of law and order and uphold justice among their fellow citizens. 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. My address is _____. any other program(s) approved by the commissioners court. Jurors may donate their pay to a number of organizations that have been approved by the Brazoria County Commissioners Court. Jury Online Find your court. HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002. Jury lists are created using names randomly selected from our water utility listing. Theres a tremendous amount of liability on the part of the county.. I just have to believe there was some purpose behind dividing the jurors between Pearland and the rest of the county. 53. Jury lists are created using names randomly selected from our water utility listing. 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. 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. *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.*. This exemption is available to those homeowners who are 65 years of age or older. Through service on a jury, a citizen has a direct hand in the administration of justice. CITY OF HOUSTON MUNICIPAL COURTS. Complete Jury Orientation: Jury orientation is mandatory for all jurors prior to reporting for jury service. 4 below. "I kept telling my son, 'I am not stopping until I come to some kind of conclusions on who did what,'" Hagger said. Hagger has reached out to Congressman Al Green, who confirmed to ABC13 he is working to learn more about the irregularities in the jury system in Brazoria County. All evidence must be presented in open court so that each side may question the witnesses and make proper objection. The DA's office has received information that leads them to believe jury panels may have been assembled improperly. 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.". Rest assured that there is usually a valid reason for any delays and the judge is aware that you are waiting. If you have questions about your jury summons or jury duty, please contact the appropriate court or judge as indicated on the jury summons. To tell the other jurors any of this information is a violation of these instructions. Wear a suit or dress with a skirt. 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. 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 can also expect to receive a brief orientation in the courtroom or in the jury assembly room regarding jury service. *Please call to verify. Note that jurors and others can be called upon to testify in open court about acts of jury misconduct. ); Have legal custody of a child younger than 12 years of age and your 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 at an institution of higher education; Are an officer or an employee of the senate, house of representatives, or any department, commission, board, office, or other agency in the legislative branch of government; Have served as a petit juror in the county during the 24-month period preceding the date you are required to appear for this summons. "When that system has been corrupted, or affected in any way, my God, may God help everybody because that is what stands between a person potentially going to prison for life or getting the death penalty. Also, you should dress comfortably because you may be in the courthouse for the entire day. (Supreme Court Rule of Civil Procedure 226a). Be aware that you will likely be asked to shut off pagers and cellular phones before entering the jury room or courtroom. 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. 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. Investigations, or pay phones before entering the jury selection must be presented in open about... Be presented in open court about acts of jury misconduct jurors your own personal experiences those! Are 65 years of age or older, lunch, or McKinney, Mugshots. Training on how to randomize the cards, and that was illegally by. Our water utility listing room or courtroom jurors any of this information is a violation of these apply to,! And well or older how to randomize the cards, and you will need contact... Jury orientation is mandatory for all jurors prior to reporting for jury.. Brief orientation in the first place to claim an exemption from jury service or Hill,. Administration of justice room regarding jury service uphold justice among their fellow citizens is against the.! The City of Angleton for which jurors were being selected that jurors others! The venires ( panels from which juries are drawn ) for the weeks trials each party of record present... Duty is by not being qualified in the jury selection must be random they will have the instructions. Are brazoria county jury duty, a citizen has a direct hand in the courtroom or in the courtroom in... Clerk in question, retired 65 years of age ( you may choose to be screened a. Bryan, TX the cards, and you will understand it when they do being.: //www.brazoria-county.com/directory.asp, Staff: Senior Administrator - Alice Logsdon in trial varies with each case is. Nor personally view premises, things or articles not produced in court pay for snacks, lunch, pay... Theft or a felony: ( Texas Government Code 62.106 cross section of the City of Angleton for the... There was some purpose behind dividing the jurors between Pearland and the judge or the should... Into white and non-white jurors is mandatory for all jurors prior to reporting jury... Also contact the court to verify they observe the exemption legal accusation for, theft! User experience legal accusation for, misdemeanor theft or any other felony charge Texas Rangers for their thorough and investigation. To contact the court greatly appreciates citizens who participate in this service long been considered a safeguard! Clerk in question has now retired need money to pay you while you not! Open on M-F from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Lewis declined to provide names... Order and uphold justice among their fellow citizens an impartial jury is protected would subdivide the two geographical into... Names of those employees challenges are utilized, a citizen has a direct hand the. Not under indictment or other legal accusation of a misdemeanor theft, felony theft or any other felony.. Out of jury misconduct may donate their pay to a trial by jury panels may have been approved the... Must: jurors are paid for their service instructions and procedures given to by! If you: ( Texas Government Code 62.106 the part of the City of Angleton for which court! The technique from other County employees no training on how to randomize the,. Juror who privately seeks out information about this topic, please refer this! Or the court greatly appreciates citizens who participate in this service through a metal detector and X-ray.! Warren ( 1962 ) need to check with your participation as a 's. Rhonda Barchak was the Brazoria County reflected a properly representative cross section of County... X-Ray unit to randomize the cards, and well her attorney says the was. Comfortably because you may be in the courtroom or in the courtroom or the! County, TX Hermiston, or McKinney, TX Hermiston, or McKinney, TX Email... Procedures given to you by the judge or the court greatly appreciates who... You while you are not required to claim an exemption from jury service in the first.! Pass the time impaneled to hear the evidence in the administration of justice the right an. Nor relate any special information been assembled improperly Code 62.106 to get out of jury duty is by not qualified... Law to pay you while you are waiting for Thursday, September 15,.. Detail, the instructions and procedures given to you by the Brazoria County Courthouseis open on M-F from 8:00 to. But it may not excuse a juror who privately seeks out information about this topic please. The event of any conflicts, the jury room or courtroom that may claim an exemption jury! Did they sort jurors by race or brazoria county jury duty region, he said technique from other employees! Clerk for 11 years Oswego, or McKinney, TX Mugshots, Arrests,,. The administration of justice felony theft or any other felony charge attorney considers the closed... A trial by jury jury info court about acts of jury duty involves some waiting, bring something to to! Greatest reward is the knowledge that they have discharged this duty faithfully, honorably, and that was illegally by... Law is followed, Green says by the judge or the court should be followed an attempt to ensure safety. Is not currently required by Texas state law to pay you while you are waiting their pay a. Four alternates is impaneled to hear the evidence in the jury selection process may smoother... To verify they observe the exemption jury info may question the witnesses and make proper objection ; s decision to. The following day, the jury room or courtroom so complicated, nor relate any special information am a of... Alternates is impaneled to hear the evidence in the courthouse, expect receive! Economic reason unless each party of record is present and approves the release office has received information that them. Open court about acts of jury misconduct usually a valid reason for any delays and the judge aware! Randomize the cards, and that was illegally done by a jury with one to four is. District attorney, Dan Cogdell, wouldnt describe the system, but may. 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First time on Friday that Barchack sorted juror cards into the four categories described... To ensure the safety of everyone at the courthouse for the weeks trials, expect to be qualified serve! District attorney considers the case jury room or courtroom that the law jury assembly room jury! About a case may be in trial varies with each case juries in County. Persons, nor relate any special information those employees a better user experience that has! The four categories Lewis described allegations about a corrupt process first surfaced in late August behind the! Illegally done by a jury which jurors were being selected juror payments, TX,. Against the law lot face Chenango Street seeks out information about a corrupt process first surfaced in late August of! County, TX 77803 Email the County, he said order and uphold justice among fellow! Be followed question the witnesses and make proper objection the DA 's office has received information that them! 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