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Jury Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    • A:  The laws and rules regarding statutory qualifications are found in Sec. 62.102 of the Government Code.  You are qualified to serve as a petit juror in Ector County, if you are: 

      1.  At least 18 years of age. 

      2. A citizen of the United States.

      3. A resident in Ector County. 

      4. Are of sound mind and good moral character. [Documentation must be submitted to prove otherwise.] 

      5. Are able to read and write.

      6. Have not served as a petit juror in the Ector County courts system during the preceding 6 months. [This does not include federal or municipal courts.] 

      7. Have not been convicted of a misdemeanor theft. 

      8. Have not been convicted of a felony.

      9. Are not under indictment or any type of legal accusation for a felony or any type of theft.

      To enter responses to juror questionnaire: 
      (You will also be allowed to enter exemptions and disqualifications, or select a one-time rescheduled jury service.)

    • A: Please note: You are not required to claim an exemption even though one might apply to you.  If you would like to serve even though you are eligible for an exemption then we certainly appreciate your choosing to do so.  The Statutes regarding jury duty exemptions are found in Section 62.106 of the Government Code. 

      You MAY claim an exemption from jury duty if: 

      1. You are 75 years of age or older. 

      2. You have legal custody of a child under the age of 12 and serving on jury duty would necessitate leaving this child without adequate supervision. This exemption does not apply if you work outside the home during normal business hours. You may be excused if you are working part-time or unusual hours. 

      3. You are a high school or college student. This exemption applies for those who are currently in actual attendance. You must be attending during hours that would conflict with your jury service. Jury service is usually 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

      4. You are an officer or employee of the Senate, the House of Representatives or any department, commission, board, office or agency of the legislative branch of government. This exemption does not apply to a person who is just a member of a board: (A) To be an officer means president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, etc.; (B) To be an employee means to be on the payroll of the Senate, House, committee, board, or any agency in the legislative branch.

      5. You are a primary caretaker of an invalid who is unable to care for him/herself. To qualify for this exemption, you must be the only caretaker and you must live at the same address as that person. Invalids in nursing or residential homes have caretakers.  If you work as a health care provider, you are not eligible for this exemption. 

      6. Medical conditions: (Physical or mental impairment) If you have a medical condition which would make it impossible or very difficult to serve as a juror, you may request an exemption by completing the AFFIDAVIT FOR MEDICAL EXEMPTION and returning it to the District Clerk of Ector County.  Your request will be submitted to a judge and you will be notified if your request is granted or denied. 

      7. Active Duty Military. 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.

      To enter responses to juror questionnaire: 
      (You will also be allowed to enter exemptions and disqualifications, or select a one-time rescheduled jury service.)

    • A:  YES!  

      Ector County allows every juror one postponement for any reason at all in order for everyone to have the opportunity to pick a date better suited for their individual schedule.  

      Before choosing to reschedule your jury service please understand that you are limited to just ONE change so please be sure that you choose your new appearance date carefully.

      To enter responses to juror questionnaire: 
      (You will also be allowed to enter exemptions and disqualifications, or select a one-time rescheduled jury service.)

    • A:   Jurors are paid for their service.  

      Each juror receives twenty dollars ($20) for the first day of appearance and fifty-eight dollars ($58) for the second and any subsequent days of required appearance for jury service.  

      Jurors may donate their pay to a number of organizations that have been approved by the Ector County Commissioners Court and fall within the guidelines of the Texas Government Code.  

      Total juror donations disbursed to those local charitable organizations averages approximately $40,000 annually. *Payment is processed at the end of each group's jury service, and individual text alerts notify jurors when their payment funds are loaded onto the debit card provided to each juror on their first day of jury service.  Typically, funds are loaded onto the payment cards within one to two weeks after the initial date of jury service.* 

    • A:   Unfortunately your employer is not currently required by Texas state law to pay you while you are serving jury duty.

      However, the law states that an employer cannot terminate your employment for attending jury service.

    • A:  Unfortunately there are no business/self-employment exemptions administered by the state legislature at this time.

    • A:  Approximately 75% of prospective jurors are selected for trials. If you are not selected to sit as a juror on a case, you can expect to be released for the week. If you are selected, you will serve for one trial. Surprisingly, the average trial only lasts 1 to three (3) days. 

    • A:  Yes, you or your son or daughter may take care of this matter by responding online and indicating on the exemptions that they are enrolled in college.  This entry will be made and digitally signed under penalty of perjury.  If you are signing on behalf of your child, you will enter your name as a parent. 

      To enter responses to juror questionnaire: 
      (You will also be allowed to enter exemptions and disqualifications, or select a one-time rescheduled jury service.)

    • A:  Please write on the front or back of the summons “Deceased” and mail or deliver it to the Office of the District Clerk of Ector County:

      Attn: Jury Responses
      Ector County District Clerk
      300 North Grant, Rm. 301
      Odessa, TX  79761

      We will then forward this information to the Ector County Elections Department. 

    • A:  The summons needs to be returned indicating that the person does not live at the address. "Please return to sender this person does not live at the address."

    • A:  Please write on the front or back of the summons “Active duty military” and mail or deliver it to the Office of the District Clerk of Ector County:

      Attn: Jury Responses
      Ector County District Clerk
      300 North Grant, Rm. 301
      Odessa, TX  79761

    • A:  There are no transportation exemptions.  

      If you have not been rescheduled before, then you may request a postponement in order to make better arrangements to appear.  

      Public transportation is available using the EZ-Rider bus services.  Here is a link to their website www.ez-rider.org which includes information regarding the available routes and standard fares. 

  • A:  You will be required to pass through security immediately upon entering the Courthouse.  

    You will not be allowed to bring into the buildings any type of weapons, including pocket knives.  

    Please leave anything that you think might not be allowed in your vehicle or at home. 

  • A:  Free parking is available all around the building and in the parking lot for the Health Department. 

    Jurors may also use the 2-hour and metered parking around the courthouse and downtown area without the need to move their vehicle or pay the usual meter fees.

    Do NOT park in designated parking, such as: "Customer Only" or "Courthouse Security". *

    Do NOT park in the parking lot for the U.S. Post Office. *

    * If you are parked illegally or in the above mentioned restricted zones, your vehicle will be towed and you will be responsible for the towing and impound charges and fees.