She always did everything possible to ensure juries in Brazoria County reflected a properly representative cross section of the community. 300 East 26th Street. Lawyers then conduct what is called voir dire (which means to speak the truth), which allows the lawyers and the judge to have the opportunity to ask each prospective juror a series of questions. To ensure the safety of everyone at the courthouse, expect to be screened through a metal detector and X-ray unit. 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. Both the Constitution of the United States and the Texas Constitution guarantee the right to a trial by jury. The length of jury service will vary considerably for summoned jurors. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Code of Criminal Procedure,Articles 35.16 et. Lewis declined to provide the names of those employees. Brazoria County, Phone Number: 979-864-1200 County of Brazos 300 E 26th Street Bryan, TX 77803 Email the County of Brazos More contact info . 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. Unfortunately there are no business/self-employment exemptions administered by the state legislature at this time. I am a resident of the City of Angleton for which the court is established. As a defense lawyer, I dont want twelve people from Pearland judging my guy from Freeport. The Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints: 2021 Edition, West Texans Are Learning What It Means to Live in Bear Country, Jimmy Carters Peanut-and-Egg Taco Made Quite the Impression on San Antonians. Receiving a summons for jury duty does not mean that you will actually serve on a jury. Also, you may need money to pay for snacks, lunch, or pay phones. Except for specially called jury panels (which are very rare) Brazoria 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. Most Lake Jackson cases are concluded the same day. Not surprising given the political climate in Brazoria County. There are parents out there who had their rights terminated, Purvis said. Jurors aid in the maintenance of law and order and uphold justice among their fellow citizens. "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. Brazoria County District Courts DO Postpone Jury Dates. ATTENTION JURORS: You need to contact the judge or the court to be exempted on this basis. You might also contact the judge or the district clerk's office or check the local web page for additional information. Angleton, TX 77515, Design By Granicus - Connecting People and Government. 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'. Wear shoes that are suitable for the court. Do not seek information contained in law books, dictionaries, public or private records or elsewhere, which is not admitted in evidence. Find your jury summons. Listen carefully and follow the instructions given by court personnel and the judge. 979-388-1836 (Brazosport) Hale County, TX Hermiston, OR Hill County, TX Lake Oswego, OR McKinney, TX . Theres a large cultural difference between Pearland and Freeporta small rural townalthough theyre in the same county.. 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. A venire evenly divided between white and non-white residents would have meant underrepresentation of people of color on juries. The Texas Rangers confirmed to ABC13 that their investigation is complete. Fx: (979) 361-4215 You will not be asked, and you should not consider, whether one party or the other should win. 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. 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. 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. At no point did they sort jurors by race or geographic region, he said. 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. 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. Brazoria County is 43 percent white, 31 . Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved. 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. When you report for jury service, you should receive or request a form that allows you to direct the county treasurer to donate your reimbursement for jury service to a designated charity or fund which should include: Your employer is not required to pay you for any time that you missed from work due to jury service. But What Is It? The Court entry and parking lot face Chenango Street. 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. I have not been convicted of theft or any felony. You do not need any special skills or legal knowledge to be a juror! A Right-wing Cabal Took Over Odessas Municipal Government. Entering the courthouse with a prohibited weapon is against the law. 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. Solicitation Opportunities With Brazos County, National/State Veteran Cemetery Locations, Request Brazos County Birth, Death, and/or Marriage Certificate. 111 E. Locust, Suite 500 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. If anyone attempts to discuss the case, report it to the judge at once. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Families want answers in Brazoria County jury selection: 'This is ridiculous' By Courtney Carpenter. I believe thats generally the case, he said. The district clerks of nearby Wharton, Montgomery, and Matagorda counties said they had never heard of anyone using Barchaks method. 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. If you are unfamiliar with the courthouse and its surroundings you should carefully review the instructions that are included with summonses. When you report for jury service, you will likely find that there are well-trained court personnel available to assist you and to answer any questions that you may have concerning jury duty. Be qualified under the Constitution and laws to vote in this county in which you are to serve as a juror. My question is, why did it have to be so complicated? he said. *Please call to verify. 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. The law requires jurors be selected at random, said Selleck, also a Republican, and it is this process that is alleged to have been conducted improperly.. 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.". 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. ); or. JURY SERVICE. (The city, with a population of 122,000, is the conservative countys largest, accounting for one third of its population. The process shes doing gives the jury a better chance of being a cross section, which is what were supposed to do with a jury pool, Lewis said. In the state of Texas, there are possible exemptions for full time students enrolled in a college institution, caregivers of children under ten . 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. Also, you should dress comfortably because you may be in the courthouse for the entire day. If you would like to serve even though you are eligible for an exemption then we certainly appreciate your choosing to do so. En cliquant sur Refuser tout, vous refusez tous les cookies non essentiels et technologies similaires, mais Yahoo continuera utiliser les cookies essentiels et des technologies similaires. 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 . With your participation as a Texas juror, our constitutional right to an impartial jury is protected. seq.). This exemption is available to those homeowners who are 65 years of age or older. 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.". You can, however, claim payment if your earnings are in any way affected by your participation. For more information visit Brazoria County District Clerk's jury info. ", 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. As a result, you need to follow all of the jury instructions given by the judge throughout the case very carefully. 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. Bring money. $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. Citizens over the age of 70 can be exempt from jury service under this age exception.. 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 . - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. 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. Jurors may donate their pay to a number of organizations that have been approved by the Brazoria County Commissioners Court. 500, Angleton, TX 77515. 111 E Locust, Rm 102A, Angleton, TX77515-4678 But Rhonda Barchak, a Republican who served as district clerk in the fast-growing county that stretches from the Houston suburbs to the Gulf Coast, had her own method. Brazoria County, TX Mugshots, Arrests, charges, current and former inmates. Among the district clerk candidates in next years election is Barchaks former chief deputy, Republican Cayla Meyers, who recently resigned. 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). It is also one of the most politically moderate parts of the county.). RELATED: Brazoria County District Clerk's Office under investigation over 'irregularities' in jury process, "They would sort them into four separate piles," Bauman said. 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. Be sure that you know where you are supposed to report. The Brazoria County District Attorney's Office has received information that leads them to believe jury panels may have been assembled improperly. 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. To be qualified to serve as a juror you must: Jurors are paid for their service. If you were summoned and you no longer reside in Angleton, contact the voter registration office to have your named removed from their list. Jury service is an important civic and community duty. (Texas Gov't Code 62.0141. the Texas Crime Victim's Compensation Fund, a designated local family violence shelter; or. files a false claim of exemption from jury service. Jury duty is a civic responsibility that you do not get paid to attend. The process begins as groups of prospective jurors, usually numbering fifty to sixty in district courts, are assembled in a courtroom with the judge, the lawyers, and usually the parties of a particular case. The DA's office has received information that leads them to believe jury panels may have been assembled improperly. 1400 LUBBOCK, ROOM 214. Most Lake Jackson cases are concluded the same day. Why did I receive a summons and what do I do now? Jurors are paid for their service. ", -U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren (1962). Your participation is important to Texas! RELATED: Families want feds to look into Brazoria Co. jury process: 'The truth is always going to come out'. "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. Anything considered to be a weapon or that is deemed unacceptable by the security staff will be confiscated. The easiest way to get out of jury duty is by not being qualified in the first place. Citizens on the list are randomly selected and mailed a summons to report for jury service. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. Theres a tremendous amount of liability on the part of the county.. 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. Each online system is different. My address is _____. Juror's names are selected from current voter registration lists. The process by which Barchak assembled the final stack is unclear. (. Physical and mailing address is 111 E. Locust St., Ste. Occupy the property as your primary residence in the year in which you apply. *county-courthouse.com is not affiliated with the Official US Government, or any state, local, or federal office. 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. Angleton, TX 77515, Design By Granicus - Connecting People and Government. RELATED: Families want answers in Brazoria County jury selection: 'This is ridiculous'. HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002. Now Shes Auctioning Off Her Archive. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. You might also bring a light sweater or jacket in case the temperature in the courthouse is somewhat cold. 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. After questioning the prospective jurors, the lawyers and the parties they represent will be given the opportunity to make any challenges for cause and peremptory challenges to individual prospective jurors (see definitions). 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. Vous pouvez modifier vos choix tout moment en consultant vos paramtres de vie prive. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Without having a very explicit statutory or court authorization for doing that, it strikes me as being legally problematic., Lewis said that Barchak began using the system around 2015, when the Texas Legislature outlawed the controversial key man method of grand jury selection, under which jury commissioners picked friends and colleagues to serve on grand juries, which determine whether there is enough evidence to file charges against someone. Assists prospective jurors with assignment information and administers juror payments. "What is important about this whole thing is that juries and jury selection is the bedrock of our justice system," said Shellist. Jury. Unfortunately, prospective jurors who appear and participate in the jury selection process will spend a great deal of time waiting. The law says that all individuals are competent jurors unless specifically disqualified. The summons needs to be returned indicating that the person does not live at the address. Failure to Answer Jury Summons. Please note: 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. CITY OF HOUSTON MUNICIPAL COURTS. 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 . 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 . As a juror, you are in a position of responsibility. You dont need training to read the Code of Criminal Procedure, Sheppard said. I am of sound mind and good moral character. A person who receives a summons for jury service and fails to answer the summons as directed by the summons, is subject to a contempt action that is punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000. I am a citizen of the state of Texas and a resident of Brazoria County. You will need to be fair, impartial, and be willing to make decisions that are not based on your personal feelings and biases. page at bit.ly/33kzxFb. 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. Type "postpone jury duty" and then your county. 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. Some courthouses may have additional accommodations for you, such as internet access, lap to stations, and reading. Do not discuss or consider attorney's fees unless evidence about attorney's fees is admitted. any other program(s) approved by the commissioners court. ** There is no need to make an appearance if you are scheduled to appear as a prospective juror on September 15, 2022. Those stacks would then be used to assemble the venires (panels from which juries are drawn) for the weeks trials. Sometimes the cards were shuffled, and sometimes they were organized according to the order in which the jurors arrived for duty. Simply follow the I-Jury information enclosed with the juror summons you received. Gov. Listen for the judge to give you instructions about when to come forward to discuss your need to be excused based on some hardship. Do not make personal inspections, observations, investigations, or experiments nor personally view premises, things or articles not produced in court. Figuring out what to do when you have been summoned for jury duty can be confusing and frustrating. Court System Type: County Constitutional Court Division: Contact Information: Phone Number: 979-864-1200 Website: http://www.brazoria-county.com/directory.asp . 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 . If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. Complete Jury Orientation: Jury orientation is mandatory for all jurors prior to reporting for jury service. Bring on the Shiplap? . What matters to him is that the law is followed, Green says. You can also expect to receive a brief orientation in the courtroom or in the jury assembly room regarding jury service. ); 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. You need to contact the judge or the court to be excused on this basis. (This does not apply if the jury wheel has been reconstituted since your service as a petit juror. ), (Texas Gov't Code 62.111. 53. Meyers attorney, Dan Cogdell, wouldnt describe the system, but said it involved an attempt to ensure a more diverse venire. The acting district attorney for Brazoria County confirmed that his office did present findings to a grand jury today, and should conclude Thursday. Because jury duty involves some waiting, bring something to read to help you pass the time. Brazoria County resident Linda Hagger believes her son, Brandon Williams, was wrongly convicted 11 years ago. and the Texas Rangers for their thorough and thoughtful investigation. be a resident of this state and of the county in which you are to serve as a juror; be qualified under the Constitution and laws to vote in the county in which you are to serve as a juror (Note: You do not have to be registered to vote to be qualified to vote); be of sound mind and good moral character; 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; and. jury duty. "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. BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A grand jury declined to indict a former Brazoria County District clerk after she was accused of handpicking jurors. She served in that role . 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). Its daily. 4 below. Do not tell other jurors your own personal experiences nor those of other persons, nor relate any special information. These allegations about a corrupt process first surfaced in late August. "I knew from the get-go when I heard about what was going on that something wasn't right pertaining to my son's case," Hagger said. "I kept telling my son, 'I am not stopping until I come to some kind of conclusions on who did what,'" Hagger said. Full-Time Student. This is improper. Pointed items, such as pocket knives or knitting needles, are not permitted in the courthouse. 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. Her attorney is maintaining her innocence. Her goal was inclusion of all races and all demographics.". That is, by definition, not random., In late August the Commissioners Court appointed former municipal judge Donna Starkey as interim district clerk. There are no transportation exemptions. Call, or visit the court's website if listed above. -See JURY SERVICE - Tex. 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. Searchable records from law enforcement. The grand jury's decision not to . If you have questions about your jury summons or jury duty, please contact the appropriate court or judge as indicated on the jury summons. August 27, 2021, 9:30 PM. The FBI says per Department of Justice policy . Texas does not specify the randomization method that clerks must use, he said, so Barchaks system was fairer than simply shuffling the cards. 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. Brazoria County District Courts DO Postpone Jury Dates, 979-864-1836 (Central & West) 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. 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. Do not even discuss this case among yourselves until after you have heard all of the evidence, the court's charge, the attorneys' arguments and until I have sent you to the jury room to consider your verdict. 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.

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