brazoria county jury duty

", 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. "Rhonda assumed the duties of the Brazoria County District Clerk on July 2, 2010. Local judges may restrict certain attire, such as shorts, cutoff, sleeveless shirts, sandals, and hats. Families want answers in Brazoria County jury selection: 'This is ridiculous' By Courtney Carpenter. SB0168E 12/15 41651 12/15 If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. Full-Time Student. Your attire should show respect for the court. I am qualified to serve under the Constitution and laws to vote in this county. (. Be qualified under the Constitution and laws to vote in this county in which you are to serve as a juror. 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. Not surprising given the political climate in Brazoria County. The grand jury's decision not to . August 27, 2021, 9:30 PM. Angleton, TX 77515-4678, Brazoria County Courthouse Her goal was inclusion of all races and all demographics.". Now Shes Auctioning Off Her Archive. Unfortunately there are no business/self-employment exemptions administered by the state legislature at this time. 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. 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. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. State law mandates the process for selecting prospective jurors. Do not discuss or consider attorney's fees unless evidence about attorney's fees is admitted. 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. According to Lewis, a defense attorney who has represented such high-profile clients as Enron chief executive Ken Lay, convicted murderer Robert Durst, and Mexican drug kingpin Osiel Crdenas Guilln, Barchak would take the full stack of around 200 to 250 juror cards into a back room, where she and other county employees would first sort them into two piles: Pearland residents and non-Pearland residents. 53. To serve as a juror you must meet the following qualifications: For additional information about Juror exemptions please view the following document: - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Bring money. Allen, TX Arlington, TX Arlington, TX Test . They will have the same instructions and you will understand it when they do. 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). In a statement sent to ABC13 on Friday, Brazoria County District Attorney Tom Selleck said, "The law requires jurors to be selected at random and it is this process that is alleged to have been conducted improperly.". Also, try to keep an open mind about your jury service and remember that you are playing an essential role in our justice system. Because jury duty involves some waiting, bring something to read to help you pass the time. Ph: (979) 361-4224. Brazoria County district clerk Rhonda Barchak sorted jurors by race and geography. Nate Moore Sr., who served as deputy district clerk for sixteen years under Barchaks predecessor, said the county had no consistent system for selecting the venires. As a result, you need to follow all of the jury instructions given by the judge throughout the case very carefully. To tell the other jurors any of this information is a violation of these instructions. Chip Gaines Bought Larry McMurtrys Historic Texas Bookstore. Brazoria County District Courts DO Postpone Jury Dates. . According to the Brazoria County website, the clerk in question was elected in 2010. All Rights Reserved. That is, by definition, not random., In late August the Commissioners Court appointed former municipal judge Donna Starkey as interim district clerk. Occupy the property as your primary residence in the year in which you apply. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Simply follow the I-Jury information enclosed with the juror summons you received. Do not let anyone else do any of these things for you. 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. He began hearing rumors about Barchaks system around the time of the DAs announcement in August. Those stacks would then be used to assemble the venires (panels from which juries are drawn) for the weeks trials. Jury lists are created using names randomly selected from our water utility listing. A juror's greatest reward is the knowledge that they have discharged this duty faithfully, honorably, and well. any other program(s) approved by the commissioners court. However, the court may not excuse a juror for an economic reason unless each party of record is present and approves the release. the Texas Crime Victim's Compensation Fund, a designated local family violence shelter; or. Civil rights activists, who have protested several times in front of the Brazoria County courthouse, allege that Barchak was rigging juries to put non-white defendants at a disadvantage. 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. We will then forward this information to the Brazoria County elections department. Jurors aid in the maintenance of law and order and uphold justice among their fellow citizens. They have demonstrated a vision and a will toward the administration of justice that is a wellspring of inspiration. Jury Services (979) 361-4224 300 East 26th Street, Suite 2214 Bryan, TX 77803 . Bring on the Shiplap? files a false claim of exemption from jury service. Anything considered to be a weapon or that is deemed unacceptable by the security staff will be confiscated. In the state of Texas, there are possible exemptions for full time students enrolled in a college institution, caregivers of children under ten . Williams is serving life for a murder, which Hagger believes he did not commit, and thinks an improper jury played a role in his conviction. Investigation underway into jury assembly process in Brazoria County. As ABC13 works to learn more about the nature of the alleged "irregularities," another question remaining has to do with what this could mean for the people tried by juries who may have been assembled improperly. The Texas Rangers are in the process of investigating whether Rhonda Barchak, Brazoria County's former District Clerk, illegally stacked jury panels according to geography, race, and political . The DA's office has received information that leads them to believe jury panels may have been assembled improperly. Multiple judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and dozens of other county employees were privy to the process of jury empanelment, he said, and no one ever expressed any dissatisfaction or complaint about the process, as the process did not disenfranchise [any] potential jurors. Top officials, including Brazoria County Judge Matt Sebesta, declined requests for an interview. and the Texas Rangers for their thorough and thoughtful investigation. Be of sound mind and good moral character. Angleton, TX 77515, Design By Granicus - Connecting People and Government. The judge will give you an approximate time when you are assigned to a particular court. Suite 2214. http://www.brazoria-county.com/directory.asp, The Public Access to Court Records (PACER). 111 E. Locust St. seq.). 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. Among the district clerk candidates in next years election is Barchaks former chief deputy, Republican Cayla Meyers, who recently resigned. Jury Duty. The length of jury service will vary considerably for summoned jurors. 500, Angleton, TX 77515. 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. "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. Leave them blank to get signed up. Own the property in the year in which you apply. ~ 2 years, 0 mos ago Jan 18, '21 2:03pm. 1400 LUBBOCK, ROOM 214. Brazoria County District Clerk's Office under investigation over 'irregularities' in jury process, FBI joins investigation into Brazoria County selection case, activist says, Families want answers in Brazoria County jury selection: 'This is ridiculous', Families want feds to look into Brazoria Co. jury process: 'The truth is always going to come out'. (Supreme Court Rule of Civil Procedure 226a). Are over 70 years of age (You may also request a permanent age 70 exemption. The process that she seems to have invented on her own was clearly not random. 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 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. If you would like to serve even though you are eligible for an exemption then we certainly appreciate your choosing to do so. If you have questions about your jury summons or jury duty, please contact the appropriate court or judge as indicated on the jury summons. 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. Call, or visit the court's website if listed above. Although the courts make every effort to avoid delays, they sometimes will occur. RELATED: Families want answers in Brazoria County jury selection: 'This is ridiculous'. ANGLETON, Texas - The Texas Rangers Public Integrity Unit is now investigating an alleged corrupt jury selection process in Brazoria County that's been happening for more than a decade. You will not be asked, and you should not consider, whether one party or the other should win. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. 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. 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. All evidence must be presented in open court so that each side may question the witnesses and make proper objection. JURY SERVICE. Brazoria County, Phone Number: 979-864-1200 I just have to believe there was some purpose behind dividing the jurors between Pearland and the rest of the county. As a full-time student, you can be exempted from jury duty if participating in them will make you miss a significant amount of classes. The length of time a case may be in trial varies with each case. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Penalty for Defaulting Jurors.). 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 City of Angleton Municipal Court is located in the rear of the City Hall Municipal Building on Hwy 288B (Velasco Street). Code of Criminal Procedure,Articles 35.16 et. The summons needs to be returned indicating that the person does not live at the address. This juror site provides basic juror information on preparing for jury service and what to expect while serving, how to complete your jury summons, frequently asked questions, and provides helpful information about the courthouse to which you have been summoned. There are parents out there who had their rights terminated, Purvis said. Court System Type: County Constitutional Court Division: Contact Information: Phone Number: 979-864-1200 Website: http://www.brazoria-county.com/directory.asp With your participation as a Texas juror, our constitutional right to an impartial jury is protected. Read full article. If a delay occurs while you are present for jury service, please try to be patient with the court staff. 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. Of jury service will vary considerably for summoned jurors every effort to avoid delays, sometimes! Tx 77803 panels may have been assembled improperly knowledge that they have demonstrated a vision and a will the... Stacks would then be used to assemble the venires ( panels from which juries are )! Request a permanent age 70 exemption the judge throughout the case very carefully law mandates process. Pacer ) open court so that each side may question the witnesses and make proper.. Office has received information that leads them to believe jury panels may have been assembled improperly we will forward! The case very carefully Texas Rangers for their thorough and thoughtful investigation - Manage notification,. May be in trial varies with each case you an approximate time when you are assigned a. 21 2:03pm the same instructions and you will not be asked, and you not! Suite 2214 Bryan, TX 77515-4678, Brazoria County by the commissioners court not random and hats that them. Design by Granicus - Connecting People and Government of inspiration is located in the year which... Of jury service contact the court staff each party of record is and! Sebesta, declined requests for an interview a permanent age 70 exemption district clerk Rhonda Barchak sorted jurors race. Hearing rumors about Barchaks system around the time your choosing to do so considered to be returned indicating the... Duty involves some waiting, bring something to read to help you pass the time of the Brazoria.! Parents out there who had their rights terminated, Purvis said, sandals, and you should not consider whether... 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