If you received a Juror Summons post card, you MUST complete the questionnaire as soon as possible through the eResponse portal. Deferrals, Exemptions, Qualifications and Excuses are requested through the eResponse portal.
eResponse is an electronic version of the juror questionnaire. You will need your ten digit Juror ID which can be found on your summons and your date of birth. Chrome and Edge are the preferred browsers for eResponse, Firefox is partially supported. Internet Explorer is not supported. Please Note: Upon completion of your eResponse juror questionnaire, you will receive a notification by text message and/or email if you are scheduled for a jury panel and if there are any changes to the date and time of your scheduled jury service.
Be sure to check your SPAM or JUNK Messages and allow or safe list our address JuryMgmtSvc@aransascountytx.gov.
If you choose to wait until the day of service to postpone or be excused from jury service ONLY the Judge may excuse or postpone you from service.
You are instructed to check your status on the eResponse website or call the Interactive Jury Service Hotline anytime after 5:00 PM the evening before you are scheduled to appear for service. The automated message will tell you if there has been a change in your jury service. It is sometimes necessary to cancel or reschedule a jury panel, so you MUST CALL to receive final instructions. Jurors who appear without checking their reporting status may not receive payment for attendance if your jury duty has been cancelled.
Interactive Jury Service Hotline: (361)790-0167 or Toll-Free at 1(844)773-0080
Jurors are selected electronically at random from a list compiled by the Secretary of State's Office, utilizing a list of voter registrations and a list of driver's license registrations from this County. As a juror, you must be fair and impartial. Your actions and decisions are the foundation of our judicial system. Remember that it is an honor and a privilege to be summoned or to serve as a juror.
NOTE: You do not have to claim an exemption and may instead choose to serve. However, if you do not meet all of the qualifications, you MUST claim that you are disqualified. If you claim to be disqualified because you are not a resident of this county, you may become ineligible to vote in this county. If you state that you are not a U.S. citizen, you may no longer be eligible to vote if you fail to provide proof of U.S. citizenship to your county voter registrar.
If you have received a Juror Summons for a person that is deceased, please contact the District Clerkâs Office at 361-790-0128.
A Petit Jury, also known as a Trial Jury, hears testimony and listens to testimony and views evidence in cases brought to trial and returns a verdict. If the Juror Summons card you received indicates a "Term of Service" on the back side, you may be placed on a jury at any time during that term of service. If you are chosen as a Jury Panelist, you will be notified by text message and/or email 10 days to 2 weeks in advance of the day, time and location in which you are to report.
Front (Click to Enlarge):
Sample Petit Jury Summons (Front Side)
Back (Click to Enlarge):
Sample Petit Jury Summons (Back Side)
Deferral Request
If you are a qualified juror and the month/date that you have been summoned for is particularly inconvenient for you, you can request to have your service deferred to another month. Once you complete the questionnaire, submitted your answers, and are at the "Home" screen, choose "Defer Service." Please be advised: You may defer your service ONLY 1 TIME in a 12 month period.
To be qualified to serve as a petit juror you must:
Be at least 18 years of age;
Be a citizen of the United States (Ser ciudadano de Los Estados Unidos);
Be a resident of this state and a resident 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;
Be able to read and write;
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
Not have been convicted or be under indictment or other legal accusation for, misdemeanor theft or a felony.
If you do not meet all of the qualifications, you MUST claim that you are disqualified. If you claim to be disqualified because you are not a resident of this county, you may become ineligible to vote in this county. If you state that you are not a U.S Citizen, you may no longer be eligible to vote if you fail to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship to your county voter registrar.
You do not have to claim an exemption and may instead choose to serve.
You are over 75 years of age.
You have legal custody of a child or children younger than 12 years of age and service on the jury would require leaving the child or children without adequate supervision.
You are a student of a public or private high school.
You are enrolled and in actual attendance at an institution of higher education.
You are an officer or employee of the Senate, the House of Representatives, or any department, commission, board, office or other agency in the legislative branch of state government.
You are the primary caretaker of a person who is unable to care for himself or herself. (This exemption does not apply to you if you are a primary caretaker only in your capacity as a health care worker.)
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.
If you are unable to participate in jury duty due to a medical reason, you will need to provide a note from a physician. (Please see the section "Permanent Exemption" for instruction to be permanently exempted from Jury Service in Aransas County.)
Return the doctor's statement to:
Fax: (361)790-5211
E-Mail: districtjury@aransascounty.org
In Person/Mail: Aransas County District Clerk, 2718 HIGHWAY 35 N, Rockport, Texas 78382-5709
** Please ensure your name and Juror ID number is included with any correspondence. **
A Grand Jury considers evidence presented by the County Attorney and decides if there is sufficient evidence to formally charge (Indict) a person with committing a felony crime. The Grand Jury does not decide if a person is guilty or innocent. Your Juror Summons has the date, time and location to appear on the back of your card. The grand jury is composed of 12 Jurors that meet monthly (usually 1 time per month) over a 6 month period.
Front (Click to Enlarge):
Sample Grand Jury Summons (Front Side)
Back (Click to Enlarge):
Sample Grand Jury Summons (Back Side)
To be qualified to serve as a petit juror you must:
Be at least 18 years of age;
Be a citizen of the United States (Ser ciudadano de Los Estados Unidos);
Be a resident of this state and a resident 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;
Be able to read and write;
Not have been convicted or be under indictment or other legal accusation for, misdemeanor theft or a felony.
Not be related within the third degree by consanguinity or second degree by affinity to any person selected to serve or serving on the same grand jury;
Not have served as a grand juror in the year before the date on which the term of court for which the person has been selected as a grand juror begins;
Not be a complainant in any matter to be heard by the grand jury during the term of court for which the person has been selected as a grand juror.
If you do not meet all of the qualifications, you MUST claim that you are disqualified. If you claim to be disqualified because you are not a resident of this county, you may become ineligible to vote in this county. If you state that you are not a U.S Citizen, you may no longer be eligible to vote if you fail to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship to your county voter registrar.
You do not have to claim an excuse and may instead choose to serve.
You are over 70 years of age.
You are a person responsible for the care of a child younger than 18 years of age.
You are a student of a public or private secondary school.
You are enrolled and in actual attendance at an institution of higher education.
You are enrolled in and in actual attendance at an institution of higher education.
If you are unable to participate in jury duty due to a medical reason, you will need to provide a note from a physician. (Please see the section "Permanent Exemption" for instruction to be permanently exempted from Jury Service in Aransas County.)
Return the doctor's statement to:
Fax: (361)790-5211
E-Mail: districtjury@aransascounty.org
In Person/Mail: Aransas County District Clerk, 2718 HIGHWAY 35 N, Rockport, Texas 78382-5709
** Please ensure your name and Juror ID number is included with any correspondence. **
The form must be translated and filled out by someone who understands and writes in the English language.
The translator must fill in the form.
Write your Juror ID on the top right-hand corner of the form.
The translator must sign and print their name on the form.
Return the Permanent Exemption Request to:
Fax: (361)790-5211
E-Mail: districtjury@aransascounty.org
In Person/Mail: Aransas County District Clerk, 2718 HIGHWAY 35 N, Rockport, Texas 78382-5709
** You must ensure your name and Juror ID number is included with any correspondence. **
NOTICE REGARDING THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990 If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate as a juror, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please use the eResponse to provide the court with information regarding the accommodations you need. Please provide this information as soon as possible, at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance.
Right to Reemployment: A private employer may not terminate the employment of a permanent employee because the employee serves as a juror. An employee whose employment is terminated in violation of this section is entitled to return to the same employment that the employee held when summoned for jury service if the employee, as soon as practical after release from jury service, gives the employer actual notice that the employee intends to return. (Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Section 122.001)
Failure to Answer Summons and Penalties: A person who fails to comply with this summons is subject to a contempt action punishable by a fine not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 (Government Code, Section 62.0141). Additionally, a person shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500 if the person: (1) fails to attend court in obedience to this summons without reasonable excuse; or (2) files a false claim of exemption from jury service. (Government Code, Section 62.111. See also Code of Criminal Procedures, article 35.01)
Proper Clothing Required: All persons entering the courtroom should be dressed in clothing reasonably befitting the dignity and solemnity of the court proceedings. No shorts, halters, midriffs, sleeveless tops, bare feet, rubber sandals, or clothing that is suggestive, offensive, or provocative will be permitted. You may wish to bring a sweater or light jacket.
Juror Etiquette: Do not bring children to Jury Duty. No electronic devices. No weapons of any type. Do not chew gum or eat snacks during the proceedings. You will be given breaks during the proceedings when you can have a snack or something to drink. Be on time. Proceedings can not begin until all jurors are present. If you think you may be delayed for some reason, you should call the clerk's office immediately.
