Selleck, the district attorney, confirmed for the first time on Friday that Barchack sorted juror cards into the four categories Lewis described. EMBED <> More Videos To be qualified to serve as a juror you must: *Note that the completion of deferred adjudication is not a disqualifying "conviction". It was a good system. Do not make personal inspections, observations, investigations, or experiments nor personally view premises, things or articles not produced in court. The former district clerk in question has now retired. Jury lists are created using names randomly selected from our water utility listing. 300 East 26th Street. Though the court or the county may provide parking or reimburse parking costs, you might have to pay them initially. -See JURY SERVICE - Tex. The community [stretches] from Pearland to Freeport, he said. 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. And then, white residents who (also) didn't live in Pearland, and nonwhite residents who (also) didn't live in Pearland. 281-756-1836 (North County), District Clerk, Jury Services Simply follow the I-Jury information enclosed with the juror summons you received. Rhonda Barchak was the Brazoria County District Clerk for 11 years. You dont need training to read the Code of Criminal Procedure, Sheppard said. BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A grand jury declined to indict a former Brazoria County District clerk after she was accused of handpicking jurors. Call your District Clerk's office. City Employees Are Heading for the Exits. Citizens on the list are randomly selected and mailed a summons to report for jury service. Although the courts make every effort to avoid delays, they sometimes will occur. Jury Duty. Brazoria County district clerk Rhonda Barchak sorted jurors by race and geography. The DA's office has received information that leads them to believe jury panels may have been assembled improperly. Complete Jury Orientation: Jury orientation is mandatory for all jurors prior to reporting for jury service. "I kept telling my son, 'I am not stopping until I come to some kind of conclusions on who did what,'" Hagger said. Suite 2214. I am not under indictment or other legal accusation of a misdemeanor theft, felony theft or any other felony charge. 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. Also, you should dress comfortably because you may be in the courthouse for the entire day. At this time the only type of employment that may claim an exemption from jury duty is exemption No. In the event of any conflicts, the instructions and procedures given to you by the judge or the court should be followed. There are no transportation exemptions. Citizens over the age of 70 can be exempt from jury service under this age exception.. The Texas Rangers confirmed to ABC13 that their investigation is complete. "I'm putting my faith in the Department of Justice to come back with their conclusion in what they're discovering and finding in a jury tampering system and what took place in Brazoria County, Texas," Quanell told ABC13. Chip Gaines Bought Larry McMurtrys Historic Texas Bookstore. Mimi Swartz is a staff writer based in Houston. 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. If any of these apply to you, contact the court to verify they observe the exemption. 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. The grand jury's decision not to . 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. Theres a tremendous amount of liability on the part of the county.. 111 E. Locust St. Be sure that you know where you are supposed to report. 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. That is, by definition, not random., In late August the Commissioners Court appointed former municipal judge Donna Starkey as interim district clerk. Because jury duty involves some waiting, bring something to read to help you pass the time. Fx: (979) 361-4215 111 E. Locust St. If anyone attempts to discuss the case, report it to the judge at once. "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. 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. (This does not apply if the jury wheel has been reconstituted since your service as a petit juror. The following day, the district clerk in question, retired. ), (Texas Gov't Code 62.111. "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.". They have demonstrated a vision and a will toward the administration of justice that is a wellspring of inspiration. The judge may give you an opportunity to discuss any individual personal hardships that jury service may cause to you. The City of Angleton Municipal Court is located in the rear of the City Hall Municipal Building on Hwy 288B (Velasco Street). files a false claim of exemption from jury service. ); 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. To be qualified to serve as a juror you must: Jurors are paid for their service. My date of birth is _____. My address is _____. 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. Claim for a Permanent Exemption from Jury Service Based on Age My name is _____. 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. (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. Be aware that you will likely be asked to shut off pagers and cellular phones before entering the jury room or courtroom. Solicitation Opportunities With Brazos County, National/State Veteran Cemetery Locations, Request Brazos County Birth, Death, and/or Marriage Certificate. Texas does not specify the randomization method that clerks must use, he said, so Barchaks system was fairer than simply shuffling the cards. The process that she seems to have invented on her own was clearly not random. (Texas Gov't Code 62.0141. 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. Jury Online Find your court. Occasionally, we have a juror who privately seeks out information about a case on trial. The law says that all individuals are competent jurors unless specifically disqualified. *Please call to verify. And its full of great reads, yall. Call, or visit the court's website if listed above. Not surprising given the political climate in Brazoria County. I am over 70 years of age. Most Lake Jackson cases are concluded the same day. Allen, TX Arlington, TX Arlington, TX Test . Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors. the Texas Crime Victim's Compensation Fund, a designated local family violence shelter; or. Jury Services (979) 361-4224 300 East 26th Street, Suite 2214 Bryan, TX 77803 . As a juror, you are in a position of responsibility. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Prospective jurors in the state of Texas who are over 70 years of age may claim excusal from jury service, or request a permanent age 70 exemption from any further summons or service. . Wear a suit or dress with a skirt. Though the court or the county may provide parking or reimburse parking costs, you might have to pay them initially. You are not required to claim an exemption even though one might apply to you. Lewis said Barchak knew nothing about the trials for which jurors were being selected. Entering the courthouse with a prohibited weapon is against the law. 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. Her goal was inclusion of all races and all demographics.". Texas has a statutory exemption that allows individuals over a certain age to request exemption from jury duty. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. Brazoria County district attorney Tom Selleck first acknowledged what he termed irregularities in an August 25 public statement, writing that jury trial panels may have been assembled in a manner inconsistent with applicable statutes and law. Two days later, Selleck announced that he had asked the Texas Rangers Public Integrity Unit to investigate. Its daily. 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. 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. To ensure the safety of everyone at the courthouse, expect to be screened through a metal detector and X-ray unit. 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. Jury duty is a civic responsibility that you do not get paid to attend. any other program(s) approved by the commissioners court. You will need to be fair, impartial, and be willing to make decisions that are not based on your personal feelings and biases. Some courthouses may have additional accommodations for you, such as internet access, lap to stations, and reading. 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. 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. If you would like to serve even though you are eligible for an exemption then we certainly appreciate your choosing to do so. Unfortunately there are no business/self-employment exemptions administered by the state legislature at this time. To tell the other jurors any of this information is a violation of these instructions. Do not accept from, nor give to, any of those persons any favors however slight, such as rides, food, or refreshments. Texas Monthly contacted 38 current and former district court employees to try to confirm Lewiss description of Barchaks system; all either failed to respond or declined to comment. Its not that hard.. Angleton, TX 77515, Design By Granicus - Connecting People and Government. http://www.brazoria-county.com/directory.asp, The Public Access to Court Records (PACER). 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