Frequently Asked Questions

1. How am I selected for Jury Duty?
2. Who is considered "qualified" for Jury Duty?
3. How do I find out the dates and times for reporting for Jury Duty?
4. What is a Petit Jury?
5. What is a Grand Jury?
6. What happens if I fail to report for Jury Duty?
7. Can I be deferred or excused from Jury Duty?
8. What does the court consider an excuse?
9. What do I bring with me when I report for Jury Duty?
10. What should I wear for Jury Duty?
11. Will I serve on civil or criminal trials and what happens if I'm selected to serve on a trial?
12. Can I be late or leave the Jury Assembly Room or Courtroom?
13. What if my employer wants proof that I am serving on Jury Duty?
14. Will I be compensated for Jury Duty?
15. Where do I report?
16. What are the procedures for inclement weather?
17. What are the restrictions regarding what can be brought into the Courthouse?
18. Is smoking allowed in the Federal Building?
19. Must I report my jury fee to the Internal Revenue Service?
20. Can my family reach me in case of emergency?

1. How am I selected for Jury Duty?
   
   Your name has been randomly selected from the voters registration list or the licensed driver list in your county. You were then mailed a Juror Qualification Questionnaire to complete and return to this court. Court personnel reviewed your Questionnaire and determined that you are qualified to serve on a jury.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Who is considered "qualified" for Jury Duty?
   
   You must be a citizen of the United States who resides in the Abilene Division of the Northern District of Texas, (Callahan, Eastland, Fisher, Haskell, Howard, Jones, Mitchell, Nolan, Shackelford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor and Throckmorton counties) and must be at least 18 years of age. You must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
   
   If you have pending felony criminal charges punishable by more than one year in prison, have been convicted of a felony without having your civil rights restored, or have a permanent physical or mental disability that would prevent jury service, you may not serve as a juror.
   
   Individuals exempt from service are full-time military, police, firefighters, and elected public officials.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. How do I find out the dates and times for reporting for Jury Duty?
   
   You are on call for approximately 1 month. You are to appear on the date and time that is printed on your summons. When you appear the Judge will give you specific instructions regarding your service for that month. Your summons has instructions included with it. Please read those instructions carefully. After 5:00 the evening before you are to appear you must verify that you are still required to appear by calling 1-800-488-0903, or by accessing the on-line juror reporting information section of this website. Please have your Participant Number available when you call (800-488-0903) or access the on-line reporting information. The 9-digit participant number is located above your name and address on the left side of the summons. You will not be paid for an appearance if you were notified on the recording or the website not to appear. The message may also give you further instructions or last minute changes regarding the time and date you are to appear.

   It is URGENT that you complete the Jury Information Card located at the bottom of the summons. In order to receive automated phone reminders or last minute changes to instructions you must include your home phone number (or cell number if you do not have a home phone). Return the completed form immediately in the postage-paid envelope provided.
   
   ON-LINE JUROR REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS / REQUEST OR EXCUSE
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. What is a Petit Jury?
   
   A Petit Jury is a trial jury for both civil and criminal cases. The petit jury listens to the evidence offered during a trial and returns a verdict. A verdict in a civil case may be a finding for the plaintiff or the defendant. A verdict in a criminal case finds the defendant involved guilty or not guilty.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. What is a Grand Jury?
   
   A Grand Jury does not determine guilt or innocence, but whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed. The evidence is normally presented only by an attorney for the government. The grand jury must determine from this evidence whether a person should have formal charges filed by the government. If the grand jury finds probable cause, then it will return a written statement of the charges, called an indictment. Grand jurors are on a panel of 23 jurors and generally serve one to two days per month for 18 months. Grand jury terms may be extended for 6 months if necessary.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. What happens if I fail to report for Jury Duty?
   
   Any juror who fails to report for jury duty and who is not excused by the Court may be served a Show Cause Order by the U.S. Marshals Service. Subsequently, those jurors will be required to show cause why they should not be held in contempt of the Jury Selection Act. Contempt penalties range from a fine of $100.00 to three days imprisonment, or both (U.S.C. 28 Section 1866(g)).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Can I be deferred or excused from Jury Duty?
   
   If you have been summoned for Jury Duty and you believe this service will create an undue hardship, and you wish to request an excuse or deferment, notify the District Court in writing immediately. You may submit your excuse or deferment request from the Online Reporting Instructions page. Alternatively, you may fax your request to the jury office at (325) 677-6334 or mail your request to: United States District Court, 341 Pine Street, Room 2008, Abilene, Texas 79601, ATTN: Jury Office. You must also submit your Juror Information Card along with your request. Your request must include your name, reporting date and the reason you are requesting an excuse or deferment. Please be aware that if you report for jury service only to request an excuse, you will not be paid the $40.00 attendance fee if the excuse is granted.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. What does the court consider an excuse?
   
   You must submit your request to be excused or deferred in writing. A Judge will review your request and you will be notified of the decision.

9. What do I bring with me when I report for Jury Duty?
   
   Be sure to bring your FEDERAL JURY SUMMONS & A PHOTO ID with you when you report for jury duty. Since there can be extended periods of time when you will not be required in the courtroom, you may want to bring a book, magazine, or crossword puzzles, etc.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. What should I wear for Jury Duty?
    
    All jurors must wear appropriate business attire for jury duty. Shorts and tank tops are not allowed.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
11. Will I serve on civil or criminal trials and what happens if I'm selected to serve on a trial?
    
    The court tries both civil and criminal cases, and it is possible that you may be selected for either or both types of trials. If you are selected to serve on a trial, you must follow the instructions of your trial judge or courtroom deputy.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
12. Can I be late or leave the Jury Assembly Room or Courtroom?
    
    No, it is extremely important that you be prompt both in the morning and when returning from lunch. It is particularly important when serving on a trial because the entire proceeding can be delayed due to the tardiness of one juror. You are not allowed to leave the Jury Assembly Room or Courtroom without permission from the jury clerk or the presiding judge.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
13. What if my employer wants proof that I am serving on Jury Duty?
    
    Request a Certificate of Attendance from the District Clerk's Office and one will be prepared and given to you. The certificate will be available before you leave the courthouse at the end of the day.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
14. Will I be compensated for Jury Duty?
    
    You are paid a $40.00 attendance fee for each day you report for your assigned jury duty. You may not be paid if you appear and request to be excused for reasons which were well known to you at the time you completed the pre-screening questionnaire. Federal government employees will not be reimbursed the $40.00 attendance fee. You will receive $0.505 per mile round trip from your home to the Federal Building US Post Office and Courthouse. In addition if you drive you will be reimbursed a maximum of $6.00 a day for parking. You must complete a parking form and turn it in to the jury clerk in order to be reimbursed for your parking expense. You will receive your jury fee check within three to four week after your completion of service.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
15. Where do I report?
    
    You will report to the Courtroom, Room 2008, on the second floor of the Federal Building US Post Office and Courthouse.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
16. What are the procedures for inclement weather?
    
    You are to call (800) 488-0903 or check the on-line juror reporting information on this web-site.
    
    ON-LINE JUROR REPORTING INFO
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
17. What are the restrictions regarding what can be brought into the Courthouse?
    
    The entrance to the Federal Building US Post Office and Courthouse is heavily guarded for your safety and protection. Electronic devices, cameras, recording equipment, laptop computers, radios, TV's, cellular phone, pagers, weapons, pepper spray and sharp objects are prohibited. Please leave any of these types of items at home or in your vehicle.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
18. Is smoking allowed in the Federal Building?
    
    The Federal Building US Post Office and Courthouse is a smoke free facility.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
19. Must I report my jury fee to the Internal Revenue Service?
    
    Any income received for jury attendance must be reported as income for tax purposes. The court will issue you an IRS Form 1099 if your income from jury attendance exceeds $600. However, you do not need to report travel and parking reimbursement as income.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
20. Can my family reach me in case of emergency?
    
    Your cell phone or pager will not be allowed in the courtroom. However, you will be able to check your messages during breaks or lunch. Your family may contact the District Clerk's Office at (325) 677-6311 in case of an extreme emergency, and a jury clerk will deliver a message to you.