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 . You have just taken an oath that you will render a verdict on the evidence submitted to you under the judge's rulings. 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'. Be qualified under the Constitution and laws to vote in this county in which you are to serve as a juror. Penalty for Defaulting Jurors.). The Brazoria County Courthouseis open on M-F from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. At some point during the jury selection process, prospective jurors are given an oath by which they swear or affirm to tell the truth when answering questions about their qualifications as jurors. "So they would have a stack of people who were white residents of Pearland, nonwhite residents of Pearland. All Rights Reserved. RELATED: Families want answers in Brazoria County jury selection: 'This is ridiculous'. 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. 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. Because you will need to consider all of the evidence admitted by the judge, it is important that you pay close attention to the evidence as it is presented at trial. Activist Quanell X, who has been public about his concerns for months, staging rallies and protests outside of the county courthouse, said he wants the department of justice involved. Though the court or the county may provide parking or reimburse parking costs, you might have to pay them initially. 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. Rest assured that there is usually a valid reason for any delays and the judge is aware that you are waiting. Jurors aid in the maintenance of law and order and uphold justice among their fellow citizens. Get Out of Jury Duty for Not Being Qualified. Selleck also announced that he requested the assistance of the Texas Rangers Public Integrity Unit to help investigate the matter. For more information about this topic, please refer to this website: www.BrazosCountyJury.com. Depending on local laws and specific court policies, exemptions MAY include persons over age 70, and those having recently served on a jury (usually within 1-3 years depending on county policy). They will have the same instructions and you will understand it when they do. 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. Jurors may donate their pay to a number of organizations that have been approved by the Brazoria County Commissioners Court. 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. Please write on the front or back of the summons Deceased and return to our office. The reason she divided the cards into four categories, he said, was to ensure a representative distribution of potential jurors. 1,870 talking about this. Entering the courthouse with a prohibited weapon is against the law. 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." The grand jury's decision not to . You then might be asked to provide new dates when you can serve. Selleck, the district attorney, confirmed for the first time on Friday that Barchack sorted juror cards into the four categories Lewis described. Also, you should dress comfortably because you may be in the courthouse for the entire day. Now Shes Auctioning Off Her Archive. Her goal was inclusion of all races and all demographics.". 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. Step 1: Dress inappropriate clothing: You should dress professionally and appropriately for jury duty. 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. 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. A prospective juror must be released entirely or rescheduled if the juror is required to appear in court on a religious holy day that is observed by the juror. We hope you find this information beneficial. Municipal Court Office will be closed Thursday, March 02, 2023, in observance of Texas Independence Day. Please write on the front or back of the summons Active duty military and return to our office. ", 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. I have not been convicted of theft or any felony. Receiving a summons for jury duty does not mean that you will actually serve on a jury. . 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. ); or. 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. If you have questions about your jury summons or jury duty, please contact the appropriate court or judge as indicated on the jury summons. As a juror, you are in a position of responsibility. Listen for the judge to give you instructions about when to come forward to discuss your need to be excused based on some hardship. I am a resident of the City of Angleton for which the court is established. Why did I receive a summons and what do I do now? Local judges may restrict certain attire, such as shorts, cutoff, sleeveless shirts, sandals, and hats. Penalties for Failure to Answer Summons. If you would like to serve even though you are eligible for an exemption then we certainly appreciate your choosing to do so. Barchaks methods were widely known to county officials, Lewis said. Brazoria County resident Linda Hagger believes her son, Brandon Williams, was wrongly convicted 11 years ago. Do not accept from, nor give to, any of those persons any favors however slight, such as rides, food, or refreshments. 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. Jury Online Find your court. 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. 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.". En cliquant sur Accepter tout, vous acceptez que Yahoo et nos partenaires traitent vos informations personnelles et utilisent des technologies telles que les cookies pour afficher des publicits et des contenus personnaliss, et des fins de mesure des publicits et des contenus, dtude des audiences et de dveloppement de produit. Because jury duty involves some waiting, bring something to read to help you pass the time. The easiest way to get out of jury duty is by not being qualified in the first place. Assists prospective jurors with assignment information and administers juror payments. As in most small Texas counties, where juror cards are still usedsome larger counties have switched to electronic systems, which generate randomized veniresall the cards are typically either shuffled in one big stack or mixed up on a table to create a stack. Full-Time Student. 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. 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. 111 E. Locust, Suite 500 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. If anyone attempts to discuss the case, report it to the judge at once. 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. But the Legislature did not alter the system for selecting regular trial juries, and it remains unclear why Barchak would have changed her method at that time. You need to contact the judge or the court to be exempted on this basis. 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. Its free. He rejected Lewiss explanation that Barchak never received proper training and said her system likely violated state law. 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 . Occupy the property as your primary residence in the year in which you apply. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Though the court or the county may provide parking or reimburse parking costs, you might have to pay them initially. Although the courts make every effort to avoid delays, they sometimes will occur. Angleton, TX 77515-4678, Brazoria County Courthouse I am of sound mind and good moral character. Complete Jury Orientation: Jury orientation is mandatory for all jurors prior to reporting for jury service. ", -U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren (1962). 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. Those stacks would then be used to assemble the venires (panels from which juries are drawn) for the weeks trials. ); Are the primary caretaker of a person who is unable to care for himself or herself (This exemption does not apply to health care workers. Do not make any investigation about the facts of this case. Bring money. Friday, October 8, 2021. Juror's names are selected from current voter registration lists. This avoids a trial based upon secret evidence. Do not discuss or consider attorney's fees unless evidence about attorney's fees is admitted. The process by which Barchak assembled the final stack is unclear. Texas Lege Watch: A House Republican Fights for Chicken Freedom, Wendy Davis Returns to the Texas Capitol and a Whole New Political Landscape, Red McCombs Turned Old San Antonio on Its Head, Attorney General Ken Paxton Agrees to Apologize and Pay $3.3 Million to Whistleblowers, Running Into Fire: The Legacy of Jeff Blackburn, Inside the Bro-tastic Party Mansions Upending a Historic Austin Community, How Florence ButtNot Her SonLaunched the H-E-B Empire. That is, by definition, not random., In late August the Commissioners Court appointed former municipal judge Donna Starkey as interim district clerk. 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. "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. The information contained on this web site is not intended to take the place of the instructions given by the judge or the court concerning any aspect of jury service. Its not that hard.. 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 . YES! The district clerks of nearby Wharton, Montgomery, and Matagorda counties said they had never heard of anyone using Barchaks method. 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. A venire evenly divided between white and non-white residents would have meant underrepresentation of people of color on juries. Her attorney is maintaining her innocence. The Brazoria County District Attorney's Office has received information that leads them to believe jury panels may have been assembled improperly. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Court System Type: County Constitutional Court Division: Contact Information: Phone Number: 979-864-1200 Website: http://www.brazoria-county.com/directory.asp Brazoria County, TX Mugshots, Arrests, charges, current and former inmates. Texas has a statutory exemption that allows individuals over a certain age to request exemption from jury duty. Mimi Swartz is a staff writer based in Houston. Also, you might want to avoid parking in metered parking spaces because you do not know how long you will be in jury service. This is improper. "I kept telling my son, 'I am not stopping until I come to some kind of conclusions on who did what,'" Hagger said. The Court greatly appreciates citizens who participate in this service. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. For more information visit Brazoria County District Clerk's jury info. These rules apply to jurors the same as they apply to the parties and to me. Jury lists are created using names randomly selected from our water utility listing. It is also one of the most politically moderate parts of the county.). (Applies only to counties with a population of at least 200,000 unless the county uses a jury plan under 62.011, Gov't Code, and the period authorized under 62.011(b) exceeds two years. My address is _____. You might also bring a light sweater or jacket in case the temperature in the courthouse is somewhat cold. You dont need training to read the Code of Criminal Procedure, Sheppard said. 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. Brazoria County, Phone Number: 979-864-1200 files a false claim of exemption from jury service. Take advantage of any free parking offered to prospective jurors. They have demonstrated a vision and a will toward the administration of justice that is a wellspring of inspiration. As a defense lawyer, I dont want twelve people from Pearland judging my guy from Freeport. 111 E Locust, Rm 102A, Angleton, TX77515-4678 On Wednesday, Aug. 25, the Brazoria County District Attorney's Office announced it had received information that leads them to believe jury panels may have been assembled in a manner "inconsistent with applicable statutes and law.". (Texas Government Code 62.102. She always did everything possible to ensure juries in Brazoria County reflected a properly representative cross section of the community. http://www.brazoria-county.com/directory.asp, The Public Access to Court Records (PACER). Type "postpone jury duty" and then your county. Your participation is important to Texas! Meyers attorney, Dan Cogdell, wouldnt describe the system, but said it involved an attempt to ensure a more diverse venire. Find your jury summons. 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