About Jury Click here to view the courthouses map

After you pre-register, you will receive an email on when and where to report for Jury Service.
The United States Constitution and the Texas Constitution guarantee all people, regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status, the right to trial by an impartial jury. Justice ultimately depends to a large measure upon the quality of the jurors who serve in our courts.
As a juror, you must be fair and impartial. Your actions and decisions must be free of any bias or prejudice. Your actions and decisions are the foundation of our judicial system.
Jurors must:
Be a citizen of the United States and of this State.
Be at least 18 years of age.
Reside in the county of jury service.
Be able to read and write.
Be of sound mind.
If you do not meet all of these criteria, claim the exemption through online registration.
You cannot serve on a jury if:
You have been convited of a felony or any type of theft(unless rights have been restored)
You are now on probation or deferred adjudication for a felony or for any type of theft; or
You are now under indictment for a felony or are now under criminal charges for any type of theft.
There are two basic types of cases (causes): criminal and civil (including family cases).
Criminal cases (causes)
A criminal case (cause) results when a person is accused of committing a crime. You, as a juror, must decide whether the person charged is guilty or not guilty. The accused person is presumed innocent, and the State, represented by the District or County Attorney, must prove guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Civil cases (causes)
A civil case (cause) results from a disagreement or dispute between two or more parties. In a civil case (cause), you, as a juror, must answer questions of disputed facts based upon the testimony and evidence admitted by the judge. The answers to these questions are called the verdict.
Any person charged with a criminal offense or any party to a civil case (cause) has a right to a jury trial. All parties are equal before the law and each is entitled to the same fair treatment.
Yes. The Texas Supreme Court has rules to assist you in your conduct as a juror, which will be given to you by the judge.
Cases (Causes) will usually be heard by juries of 6 or 12. The larger group, called a panel, will be sent to the trial court (courtroom) where the jurors will be questioned under the supervision of the judge. A juror may be excused from the panel if it is shown that the juror cannot act impartially concerning the case (cause) to be heard. In addition, each side is allowed to remove a given number of jurors from the panel without having to show any reason. The trial jury will be the first 6 or 12 of the remaining persons on the panel.
It is a way for the parties to select a fair and impartial jury. Under the justice system, you may be questioned by each of the lawyers before they decide to remove a certain number of persons from the jury panel. For example, the lawyer may ask you questions to see if you are connected to the trial or if you have any prejudice or bias toward anyone in the trial. These questions are not intended to embarrass you, but rather to help the lawyers in the jury selection process. You may ask the judge to allow you to answer some questions away from the other persons on the panel.
After you have been selected as a juror on a trial panel, if you have a special need or an emergency, tell the bailiff.
Please write deceased on the summons and mail or fax it back.
To claim a medical exemption, you must submit a sworn affidavit to the court stating your name and address and the reason for and the duration of the requested exemption. You must also attach to the affidavit a statement from a physician.
The affidavit must state:
The name and address of the physician whose statement accompanies the affidavit.
Whether the request is for a permanent or temporary exemption.
The period of time for which a temporary exemption is requested.
That as a direct result of the physical or mental impairment it is impossible or very difficult for the affiant to serve on a jury.
Please Note: Exemptions and disqualifications CANNOT be claimed or reported by telephone.

You may fax it to 832-927-0132
Scan and email: jury@hcdistrictclerk.com
Mail it to Jury Assembly Room, 1201 Congress St., Houston, TX. 77002

Medical Exemption Form
A person qualified to serve as a petit juror may establish an exemption from jury service if the person:
I am over 75 years of age.
I 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.
I am a student of a public or private secondary school.
I am a person enrolled and in actual attendance at an institution of higher education.
I am an officer or an employee of the senate, the House of Representatives, or any department, commission, board, office, or other agency in the legislative branch of state government.
I am the primary caretaker of a person who is unable to care for himself or herself.
I am a member of the United States military forces serving on active duty and deployed outside of Harris County.
Qualifications to serve as a petit juror:
I am at least 18 years of age.
I am a resident of Harris County
I am a Untied States citizen and am eligible to register to vote in Harris County.
I am of sound mind and good moral character.
I am able to read and write in English.
I have not served as a juror for six days during the preceding three months in a county court or during the preceding six months in a district court.
I have not been convicted of misdemeanor theft or a felony.
I am not under indictment or other legal accusation for misdemeanor theft or a felony.
Identity thieves have contacted Harris County residents and threatened them for failing to report for jury service. The thieves are seeking confidential information. The local courts and Jury Assembly Room staff will NEVER call you or e-mail you and ask for Social Security Numbers, credit card numbers or other sensitive information.
If a person did give out his/her Social Security Number, the DA’s office recommends calling the Social Security Fraud Hotline at1-800-269-0271 and all three credit bureaus.

Learn how to shield yourself from jury scams.
If you have been assigned to downtown for your jury service, you are to report to the El Franco Lee Public Service Plaza located at 1201 Congress. Free parking will be provided if you park in the 1401 Congress parking garage. Please arrive early to secure a parking spot as this garage tends to fill up early. You must bring your ticket in with you in order to have it validated. Entrances to this garage are located on both La Branch and Austin streets. There are no in and out privileges. If you are to report to a Justice of the Peace Court, parking is available at the respective courthouse address shown on the summons. The 1401 Congress garage can be easily identified by the colorful mural as shown below.

Click here to view a map of the courthouses.

picture of Harris County Parking Garage

Parking garage address
1401 Congress Houston, TX 77002

METRO provides free transportation to jury service by showing a copy of your emailed assignment. Use METRO’s trip planner online or on the app to find the best combination of bus or light rail routes to your assigned location. If you need assistance planning your route, contact METRO at 713-635-4000 or www.ridemetro.org.
For persons with hearing impairments, the Harris County Jury Room offers the William Sound Plus WIR TX10 Infared transmitter, selectable 95 khz or 250 khz carrier. The system is designed to transmit high quality audio for hearing assistance and language interpretation applications.

Sign language and captioning are also provided upon request. Please contact Harris County Jury Assembly at (713) 755-6392 or via e-mail at jury@hcdistrictclerk.com at least one day before you are scheduled to appear. The District Clerk's office will contact the company that provides these two services and get assistance for you scheduled.
All visitors to all Harris County Courts are subject to security screening by Harris County Constable Precinct 1. Click here for a list of all prohibited items.
A grand jury consists of twelve people whose job is to review criminal complaints and decide if there is sufficient evidence to issue an indictment. The standard of proof for an indictment is probable cause.

To be eligible for grand jury service, you must attend when summoned for Harris County jury duty. Attendance does not guarantee that you will be selected for grand jury or trial service.

Jurors will receive $30 for the first day of service and $58 per day after the first day until released. Jurors serving more than one day of jury service will be compensated at a rate calculated by the State Comptroller based upon available funding.

Click here for additional information about grand juries.

It is advisable to eat breakfast as we do not know when or if the court will break for lunch.
Texas Government Code §61.003 prescribes provisions relating to the donation of a prospective juror of the daily reimbursement for jury service. As required by the law, two charities are included as options for consideration by jurors:
  • Victims of Crime Fund
  • Child Welfare Service Fund (Children and Adult Protective Services).
This statute also includes a provision for any program selected by Commissioners’ Court that is operated by a public or private nonprofit organization and that provides shelter and services to victims of family violence. To be considered for this program, please review the instructions and submit your application for consideration within the specified timeframe noted in the application.
Your card is activated when you use it. Or you can call the number listed on the card, or going online.
It is important to use your full balance within 90 days of issuance to avoid any fees or the funds being returned to Harris County.
You can use your card wherever MasterCard® is accepted. You can use your prepaid card anywhere that MasterCard is accepted and will also be able to get cash back when you make a debit transaction.
Do not use your card to "Pay at the Pump." The best way to use your card for gas is by seeing the attendant inside, and specifying how much you want to spend. Your card may be declined at the pump if you do not have adequate funds, which imposes a decline fee.
Some merchants may authorize your card up to 25% more than the transaction to allow for gratuity, which can cause declined transactions and imposes a decline fee.
  • Bank of America
  • Barclays
  • Capital One
  • Chase
  • Citibank
  • Synchrony Bank
  • U.S. Bank
  • Wells Fargo
Call Customer Service at 877-287-2448 immediately to cancel your card. A replacement card will be sent with the remaining balance.
If you choose to do so, you can donate your juror pay ($6 the first day of service and $40 starting on the second day of service until released) to charitable organizations approved the State of Texas and the Harris County Commissioners Court. Following is a list of the charitable organizations.
Victims of Crime Fund
Assists innocent victims of crime who have resulting expenses that cannot be reimbursed from insurance or other sources, such as reasonable medical, counseling, prescription, and rehabilitation expenses; certain funeral expenses; partial loss of earning andsupport; and child care. The Office of the Attorney General administers the fund under the statutory guidelines of the Texas Victims’ Compensation Act (Chapter 56- Subchapter B, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.)
Children’s Protective Services Child Welfare Service Fund
Works with families toward resolving family problems and preventing the removal of children from the home, placing a child in appropriatesubstitute care or adoption when necessary, providing casework services to status offenders and children in need of supervision, andproviding children in agency custody with adequate medical care. The executive director is responsible to the Children’s ProtectiveServices Board, which is appointed by Commissioners Court in accordance with Texas Family Code §264.005.
Child Advocates, Inc.
Mobilizes court appointed volunteers to break the cycle of child abuse and speak up for and guide abused children into safe environments where they can thrive.
Crime Stoppers of Houston, Inc.
Mission is to solve and prevent crime in the Greater Houston area in partnership with citizens, media, and the criminal justice system.
Casa De Esperanza De Los Niños, Inc.
Provides residential care for abused, abandoned, neglected, medically fragile, and HIV affectedinfants and young children.
The 100 Club, Inc.
Provide assistance to dependents of certified peace officers and firefighters who are killed in the lineof duty while protecting our lives and property.
Houston Area Womens Center
Helps individuals affected by domestic and sexual violence in their efforts to move their lives forward.
Harris County Veterans’ Treatment Court
Provides access to mental health and addiction treatment for veterans with felony and misdemeanor offenses.
K9s4COPS
Addresses the need for funding the purchase of K9s for Law Enforcement Agencies, bridges the gap between the purchase of a K9and the cost for required care, training, and transportation of a K9, and ensures that K9 cost never keeps an Officer from havingtheir K9 partner.
A World For Children
Is a child placing agency with a mission to provide foster care and adoptive services for abused and neglected children, ages birth to 18 years.
The Women’s Home
Provides housing and support services to women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the Houston Area since 1957.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking.
Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston
The mission of Interfaith Ministries is to bring people of diverse faith traditions together for dialogue, collaboration, and service, as a demonstration of our shared beliefs.
AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse)
The mission of AVDA is to end family violence by advocating for the safety and self-determination of victims, promoting accountability for abusers and fostering a community response to abuse.
Veterans County Service Office
We advocate for veterans and their dependents in Harris County. We provide assistance to veterans and their dependents regarding compensation, pension, medical, educational, insurance, and death benefits. We assist veterans and their dependents in obtaining important documentation needed to apply for benefits.
Houston Habitat for Humanity
Houston Habitat for Humanity’s mission work includes new home construction, home rehabilitation and repair, infrastructure development for new communities, neighborhood revitalization, and community building in Houston.
Decline Payment
If you would like for your payment to remain with Harris County please check only the decline payment on the Juror Donation Authorization Form.
Donation Form
To make a donation to one of these charities, please obtain the Juror Donation Authorization Form. This form will be available after the completion of your jury service, upon request.
Agency Application
Texas Government Code §61.003 prescribes provisions relating to the donation of a prospective juror of the daily reimbursement for jury service. As required by the law, two charities are included as options for consideration by jurors:
  • Victims of Crime Fund; and
  • Child Welfare Service Fund (Children and Adult Protective Services).
This statute also includes a provision for any program selected by Commissioners’ Court that is operated by a public or private nonprofit organization and that provides shelter and services to victims of family violence. To be considered for this program, please review the instructions and submit your application for consideration within the specified timeframe noted in the application.