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. If you were summoned and you no longer reside in Angleton, contact the voter registration office to have your named removed from their list. I am a citizen of the state of Texas and a resident of Brazoria County. In the state of Texas, there are possible exemptions for full time students enrolled in a college institution, caregivers of children under ten . Lewis said Barchak received no training on how to randomize the cards, and that she learned the technique from other county employees. (This does not apply if the jury wheel has been reconstituted since your service as a petit juror. All evidence must be presented in open court so that each side may question the witnesses and make proper objection. 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. As a juror, you are in a position of responsibility. Anything considered to be a weapon or that is deemed unacceptable by the security staff will be confiscated. *Payment is processed at the end of jury service, and a check is mailed to each juror within three to four weeks of their service.*. Is any of the above incorrect? 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. Be sure that you know where you are supposed to report. Penalty for Defaulting Jurors.). You will need to be fair, impartial, and be willing to make decisions that are not based on your personal feelings and biases. Lewis said Barchak knew nothing about the trials for which jurors were being selected. page at bit.ly/33kzxFb. For at least six years, the district clerk in Brazoria County used a highly unusual and possibly illegal system to assemble jury panels. He began hearing rumors about Barchaks system around the time of the DAs announcement in August. To be qualified to serve on a jury, the person must: (Texas Gov't Code 62.0141. Friday, October 8, 2021. The county may choose to provide additional forms of compensation or reimbursement, including: Your local court will provide you with information regarding the existence and extent of any of these programs. 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 . 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. With your participation as a Texas juror, our constitutional right to an impartial jury is protected. 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. They have demonstrated a vision and a will toward the administration of justice that is a wellspring of inspiration. Both the Constitution of the United States and the Texas Constitution guarantee the right to a trial by jury. Barchaks method, said Matagorda County district clerk Janice Hawthorne, takes away the whole random process., In additional to potentially violating state law, Barchaks system appears to differ from her own jury plan, which she submitted to the Brazoria County Commissioners Court for approval in 2018. The judge may give you an opportunity to discuss any individual personal hardships that jury service may cause to you. Please write on the front or back of the summons Deceased and return to our office. That is, by definition, not random., In late August the Commissioners Court appointed former municipal judge Donna Starkey as interim district clerk. 111 E Locust, Rm 102A, Angleton, TX77515-4678 Visit our Links Page for websites providing Employment Listings, as well as US Government holiday closings. For more information visit Brazoria County District Clerk's jury info. A juror's greatest reward is the knowledge that they have discharged this duty faithfully, honorably, and well. 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. Own the property in the year in which you apply. 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. To ensure the safety of everyone at the courthouse, expect to be screened through a metal detector and X-ray unit. ~ 2 years, 0 mos ago Jan 18, '21 2:03pm. SB0168E 12/15 41651 12/15 Wear shoes that are suitable for the court. Through service on a jury, a citizen has a direct hand in the administration of justice. Also, you might want to avoid parking in metered parking spaces because you do not know how long you will be in jury service. Jury Online Find your court. 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. 1,870 talking about this. Her goal was inclusion of all races and all demographics.". Also, try to keep an open mind about your jury service and remember that you are playing an essential role in our justice system. ", But, a grand jury chose not to indict her. 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.". Step 1: Dress inappropriate clothing: You should dress professionally and appropriately for jury duty. There are no transportation exemptions. 53. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Search Courts. The former district clerk in question has now retired. 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. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. "What is important about this whole thing is that juries and jury selection is the bedrock of our justice system," said Shellist. To tell the other jurors any of this information is a violation of these instructions. The Court greatly appreciates citizens who participate in this service. Do not tell other jurors your own personal experiences nor those of other persons, nor relate any special information. 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. by: Magnolia832 4 OP. 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. Be aware that you will likely be asked to shut off pagers and cellular phones before entering the jury room or courtroom. Step 2: Maintain hygiene: You should make sure your hair is clean, your skin is clean, your teeth are brushed, and your fingernails are trimmed. 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. 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. Angleton, TX 77515-4678, Brazoria County Courthouse Let us know here, 23rd District Court111 E Locust, Rm 4040.0 mile away, 149th District Court111 E Locust, Rm 214A0.0 mile away, 239th District Court111 E Locust, Rm 310A0.0 mile away, 2023 Everything-Bytes | Terms of Use & Privacy Policy. However, the Commissioners Court of a county may choose to reduce or eliminate the daily compensation for prospective jurors who attend court for only one day without actually serving on a jury. Solicitation Opportunities With Brazos County, National/State Veteran Cemetery Locations, Request Brazos County Birth, Death, and/or Marriage Certificate. However, your employer cannot fire you while you are fulfilling your civic duty. ); 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. However, you may choose to be excused if you: (Texas Government Code 62.106. On the morning of July 19, several hundred Brazoria County residents appeared for jury duty in downtown Angleton, a fifty-minute drive south of Houston. The community [stretches] from Pearland to Freeport, he said. The length of jury service will vary considerably for summoned jurors. You have just taken an oath that you will render a verdict on the evidence submitted to you under the judge's rulings. 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. 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, Brazoria County Awarded Certificate of Achievement, TxDOT Long Term Closures for Bridge Replacements, DSHS recalls oysters harvested in area of southeastern Galveston Bay. Do not accept from, nor give to, any of those persons any favors however slight, such as rides, food, or refreshments. 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. Jury Duty. As a result, you need to follow all of the jury instructions given by the judge throughout the case very carefully. Mrs. Barchak remains grateful for the opportunity to have served her community. 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. ** There is no need to make an appearance if you are scheduled to appear as a prospective juror on September 15, 2022. **Jury Trial has been canceled for Thursday, September 15, 2022. 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). "If it was something where these were truly, not-randomly-drawn perspective jurors, that could mean that every single jury that was put together, every panel for every defendant or plaintiff, whoever it may be, under the watch of this district clerk when it was done improperly, would probably, almost assuredly, would be entitled to a new trial," explained Steve Shellist, ABC13's legal analyst. Linda Coffee Argued Roe v. Wade. Families want answers in Brazoria County jury selection: 'This is ridiculous' By Courtney Carpenter. Physical and mailing address is 111 E. Locust St., Ste. ), (Texas Gov't Code 62.111. Do not make personal inspections, observations, investigations, or experiments nor personally view premises, things or articles not produced in court. Gov. any other program(s) approved by the commissioners court. However, if you are qualified to serve and you do not ask to be excused or exempted, you will be able to participate in the jury selection process which may take only a day or a fraction of a day to complete. Unfortunately your employer is not currently required by Texas state law to pay you while you are serving jury duty. (The city, with a population of 122,000, is the conservative countys largest, accounting for one third of its population. Slectionnez Grer les paramtres pour grer vos prfrences. YES! Prospective jurors in the state of Texas who are over 70 years of age may claim excusal from jury service, or request a permanent age 70 exemption from any further summons or service. Brazoria County District Courts DO Postpone Jury Dates. If any of these apply to you, contact the court to verify they observe the exemption. The law says that all individuals are competent jurors unless specifically disqualified. Bring on the Shiplap? She left the job after law enforcement began investigating the possibility that she wrongly empaneled jury pools. 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. 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'. 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. There are parents out there who had their rights terminated, Purvis said. Its free. We will then forward this information to the Brazoria County elections department. Now Shes Auctioning Off Her Archive. Jury service is a privilege that offers the average citizen an unequaled opportunity to influence and deliberate over fundamental matters of justice. Do not let anyone else do any of these things for you. The reason she divided the cards into four categories, he said, was to ensure a representative distribution of potential jurors. Court System Type: County Constitutional Court Division: Contact Information: Phone Number: 979-864-1200 Website: http://www.brazoria-county.com/directory.asp Barchak, who resigned in late August after having held the post since 2010, divided up jurors by geographical region, and then by race, to assemble panels for criminal, civil, and family-law trials. 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. 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. Jurors are paid for their service. the Texas Crime Victim's Compensation Fund, a designated local family violence shelter; or. 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. Brazoria County is 43 percent white, 31 . A mother might say, my child was taken away from me, and that was illegally done by a jury. Mimi Swartz is a staff writer based in Houston. 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. Its not that hard.. This is improper. 1400 LUBBOCK, ROOM 214. 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 . jury duty. You dont need training to read the Code of Criminal Procedure, Sheppard said. 300 East 26th Street. 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. The district attorney considers the matter closed and that "currently, based on the investigation (by the Texas Rangers) there are no cases or convictions being reviewed. The process by which Barchak assembled the final stack is unclear. Receiving a summons for jury duty does not mean that you will actually serve on a jury. 111 E. Locust St. Listen carefully and follow the instructions given by court personnel and the judge. http://www.brazoria-county.com/directory.asp, The Public Access to Court Records (PACER). 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. Ph: (979) 361-4224. Texas Monthly contacted 38 current and former district court employees to try to confirm Lewiss description of Barchaks system; all either failed to respond or declined to comment. 500, Angleton, TX 77515. And then, white residents who (also) didn't live in Pearland, and nonwhite residents who (also) didn't live in Pearland. Theres a tremendous amount of liability on the part of the county.. She served in that role . However, you will probably be asked for a juror index number (or other number provided on the summons) and the service date (also on your summons). (979) 864-1836. Jury lists are created using names randomly selected from our water utility listing. This discussion has been locked. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. The City of Angleton Municipal Court is located in the rear of the City Hall Municipal Building on Hwy 288B (Velasco Street). RELATED: Brazoria County District Clerk's Office under investigation over 'irregularities' in jury process, "They would sort them into four separate piles," Bauman said. The Brazoria County District Attorney's Office has received information that leads them to believe jury panels may have been assembled improperly. I am not under indictment or other legal accusation of a misdemeanor theft, felony theft or any other felony charge. State law mandates the process for selecting prospective jurors. At this time the only type of employment that may claim an exemption from jury duty is exemption No. Read full article. The easiest way to get out of jury duty is by not being qualified in the first place. "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. If you would like to serve even though you are eligible for an exemption then we certainly appreciate your choosing to do so. This avoids a trial based upon secret evidence. To postpone your Jury Service, call: 979-864-1836 (Central & West) 979-388-1836 (Brazosport) 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. 4 below. In order to qualify for this exemption, the property owner needs to meet the following requirements: Complete the application process.*. . "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. At this point, we do not know how long these alleged irregularities may have been going on. 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.". 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. seq.). As a full-time student, you can be exempted from jury duty if participating in them will make you miss a significant amount of classes. 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. the Texas Legislature outlawed the controversial key man method of grand jury selection, Inside the Karaoke Bar Where Texas Lawmakers Serenade Each Other, The Campaign to Sabotage Texass Public Schools. Brazoria County District Courts DO Postpone Jury Dates, 979-864-1836 (Central & West) *Please call to verify. Angleton, TX 77515, Design By Granicus - Connecting People and Government. Call, or visit the court's website if listed above. In the event of any conflicts, the instructions and procedures given to you by the judge or the court should be followed. She now had four stacks of cards: Pearland whites, Pearland non-whites, non-Pearland whites, and non-Pearland non-whites. Because jury duty involves some waiting, bring something to read to help you pass the time. Brazoria County, TX Mugshots, Arrests, charges, current and former inmates. To serve as a juror, you must meet the following specific qualifications: To claim an exemption from jury service contact the court Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 979-849-2471. ", 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. RELATED: Families want feds to look into Brazoria Co. jury process: 'The truth is always going to come out'. You might also contact the judge or the district clerk's office or check the local web page for additional information. 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. ", -U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren (1962). The Texas Rangers confirmed to ABC13 that their investigation is complete. Multiple judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and dozens of other county employees were privy to the process of jury empanelment, he said, and no one ever expressed any dissatisfaction or complaint about the process, as the process did not disenfranchise [any] potential jurors. Top officials, including Brazoria County Judge Matt Sebesta, declined requests for an interview. However the law states that an employer can not terminate your employment for attending jury service. August 27, 2021, 9:30 PM. "We have identified four families whose loved ones were tried by all white juries," said Quanell X. Chip Gaines Bought Larry McMurtrys Historic Texas Bookstore. The judge will instruct you to adhere to the following basic rules: At the conclusion of all the evidence, the judge may give you a written charge that asks you some specific questions. While some counties choose to mail a questionnaire to prospective jurors to determine their eligibility prior to mailing the official jury summons, other counties mail the questionnaire and the jury summons together. Searchable records from law enforcement. Rest assured that there is usually a valid reason for any delays and the judge is aware that you are waiting. General Qualifications for Jury Service. Please note: Brazoria County resident Linda Hagger believes her son, Brandon Williams, was wrongly convicted 11 years ago. The judge will give you an approximate time when you are assigned to a particular court. "If you could do this to my son and all the other individuals and think it's okay then she needs to be punished according to what she did to them.". Because jury duty involves some waiting, bring something to read to help you pass the time. You are not required to claim an exemption even though one might apply to you. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. files a false claim of exemption from jury service. What matters to him is that the law is followed, Green says. 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." Code 62.101. You can also expect to receive a brief orientation in the courtroom or in the jury assembly room regarding jury service. Investigation underway into jury assembly process in Brazoria County. Bryan, TX 77803. Sometimes the cards were shuffled, and sometimes they were organized according to the order in which the jurors arrived for duty. You Already Served. ", $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. Do not mingle with nor talk to the lawyers, the witnesses, the parties, or any other person who might be connected with or interested in the case, except for casual greetings. I am of sound mind and good moral character. If anyone attempts to discuss the case, report it to the judge at once. and the Texas Rangers for their thorough and thoughtful investigation. As a defense lawyer, I dont want twelve people from Pearland judging my guy from Freeport. The process that she seems to have invented on her own was clearly not random. Also, you may need money to pay for snacks, lunch, or pay phones. Unfortunately, prospective jurors who appear and participate in the jury selection process will spend a great deal of time waiting. 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 .