Jury Duty Information

Jurors are requested to report to the Watauga Municipal Court located at 7105 Whitley Road. Free parking is available in the parking lot in front of the building. Jurors should bring with them the jury summons they received in the mail. To complete the Juror Questionnaire online, please use the linked form at the bottom of the page. Municipal Court jury trials rarely exceed one day, and most may be completed in a few hours. Jurors will be given a juror verification form for employers should one be needed. The Watauga Municipal Court does pay selected jurors. 

Statutory Qualifications

(Chapter 480, Section 62.102 Government Code) 

A person is qualified to serve as a petit juror is that person:

• Is at least 18 years of age
• Is a United States citizen and a resident of the City
• Is of sound mind and good moral character
• Is able to read and write
• Has not been convicted of a felony or theft offense
• Is not under indictment or other legal accusation of any theft or felony

Statutory Exemptions

(Chapter 480, Section 62.106 Government Code) 

A person may claim an exemption if that person: 

• Is over 70 years of age
• Has legal custody of a child or children younger than ten years of age and serving on a jury requires leaving the child or children without adequate supervision
• Is a student of a public or private secondary school
• Is a person enrolled and in actual attendance at an institution of higher learning
• Is an officer or an employee of the Senate, the House of Representatives, or any department, commission, board, office, or any agency in the legislative branch of state government during the legislative session
• Is a primary caretaker of a person who is invalid and unable to care for him/herself (not employed out of the home)
• Has been summoned as a petit juror in a county with a population of at least 250,000 during the three-year period preceding the date of the jury summons

If you wish to claim an exemption or disqualification, you may return your completed juror form to the Municipal Court in person, by mail, or by completing the online form linked below.

Juror's Rights and Responsibilities

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). Terminating an employee for jury duty is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine not exceeding $2,000 (Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Section 122.002).

Failure to Answer Summons and Provisions of False Information:

Any person summoned who fails to attend or fails to remain in attendance until discharged by the Court may be fined an amount not exceeding $100 for contempt (Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 45.027). Additionally, a person shall be fined not less than $10 nor more than $100 if the person: (1) fails to attend court in obedience to the notice without reasonable excuse; or (2) files a false claim of exemption from jury service (Government Code, Section 62.111).   Furthermore, if a person knowingly provides false information in a request for an exemption to be excused from jury service, the person is subject to a contempt action punishable by a fine not less than $100 or more than $1,000 (Government Code, Section 62.0140).

Proper Clothing Required:

All persons entering the courtroom should be dressed in clothing reasonably befitting the dignity and solemnity of the court proceedings.

Exempt or Disqualified:

You do not need to appear in person if you are exempt or not qualified for jury service. To claim an exemption or report your disqualification you must complete the form mailed to you and return it, signed, to the Municipal Court or complete the online form below.  Note: If you claim to be disqualified based on a lack of citizenship or lack of residence in this county, you may no longer be able to vote in this county.