Del Rio Jury Instructions
Juror Instructions:
P-50-2
Posted: 11/18/2009 Updated!
There are no remaining jury selections during the month of November.
ALL jurors of Petit Jury Panel P-50-2 are directed to check the jury instructions on Sunday, December 6th. If you need to be excused at any time during the month of December, please submit a request in writing. You may fax your request to 830-703-2071.
INFORMATION ABOUT FEDERAL JURY SERVICE
- LOCATION:
- United States District Courthouse
111 East Broadway
Del Rio, Texas 78840
Courthouse Map
Via Google:
Courthouse Location
You will report to the first floor jury assembly room. - ENTERING COURTHOUSE:
- Please do not bring cell phones in the courthouse. Our court security officers will collect them upon entry. Additionally, you will be asked to remove any metal objects before passing through the metal detectors.
- PARKING:
- Public parking is available in the lot next to the courthouse, at the corner of South Main Street and East Broadway and in the lot across the street, at Broadway and Pecan. PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE FUNERAL HOME PARKING LOT. Be advised that parking is limited, please allow time prior to reporting to find parking.
- YOUR SUMMONS:
- Your summons includes important information about your jury service in Federal Court.
How long will I serve?
Your jury panel is subject to being called for two months, beginning with the day of your summons. This date is listed on your summons.
- What day do I begin my service?
Your Summons will instruct you to report on the specific date listed. (Allow the entire day for your jury service.) - How will I be informed about when to report?
Under the important section of your summons, it directs jurors to call a code-a-phone message or by accessing our website. Both sources will provide you information regarding your jury service. When accessing either source, it is important to know your jury panel number and juror number that is listed on your summons. (Example: P-45-2 and Juror No. 79)
- What is the expected length and frequency of my service?
Jury selections are usually scheduled on Mondays or Tuesdays with some exceptions. If you report for jury duty and are not selected, you will receive instructions to call each Sunday during the two months, for further instructions. Again, jurors can be summoned more than once during the two month period and jurors can serve on more than one trial during the period of service. If you are selected for a trial and it lasts more than one day, the judge will dismiss the jury each evening and instruct you as to what time you will need to report the next day. Most of the trials are estimated from 1 to 3 days. If the trial continues later into the evening than expected, you will be given enough time to get in touch with your family to make arrangements. - JUROR QUALIFICATION QUESTIONNAIRE:
- Enclosed with your summons you will find a Juror Qualification Questionnaire. It is very important that you complete this form and return it as soon as possible. All blanks must be answered. If a question does not pertain to you, please mark with a N/A (Not Applicable). You will receive a self-addressed, postage paid envelope to be used when returning the completed Juror Qualification Questionnaire.
- EXCUSES:
- Federal Law allowing the granting of excuses is very strict. Request for excuses and postponements should be mailed with the completed juror qualification questionnaire form in the return enveloped provided. Your request must indicate the Jury Panel and juror number assigned to you. Enclosed in the summons mail-out you will find an excuse form that you can use to submit your excuse in writing. If you have any prior commitments such as trips, meetings, doctor's appointments, etc., during the two month period you are summoned, you need to submit this information to the Court. This office will notify you either by telephone or letter immediately upon receipt of the Judge's reply to your request. You are not to assume your request has been granted. If a situation arises after you have submitted your completed Juror Qualification Questionnaire, you may fax your request to (830) 703-2071 or mail your request to:
Clerk, United States District Court
Attention: Jury Clerk
111 East Broadway, Suite 100
Del Rio, Texas 78840
OR
you may email your request to: Del Rio Jury Clerk.
The Court will only entertain requests for excuses or postponements for emergency situations on the day you are directed to report. If the Court grants your request, you will not be reimbursed the attendance or mileage fee.
Jurors who fail to report for jury duty and who have not been excused by the Court may be served a Show Cause Order by a Deputy United States Marshal. Those jurors will be ordered to appear before the Court to show cause why they should not be held in contempt of the Jury Service and Selection Act. Contempt penalties range from a $1,000 fine, imprisoned not more than three days, ordered to perform community service, or any combination thereof. - JUROR FEES:
- A $40.00 daily attendance fee is paid for each day you report for jury duty, even if you are not selected to hear a case.
A prescribed rate per mile is paid for the distance traveled to and from a juror's residence by the shortest practical route in going to and returning from the place of service. Please indicate the one-way mileage on the Juror Qualification Questionnaire.
If you live more than 70 miles (one way) from Del Rio, you may travel the day before you are instructed to report. You will be reimbursed a set per diem for each night you are required to stay for jury service. (NOTE: You may want to pack several days clothing in case you are selected as a juror and decide to stay overnight.) You need only provide the jury clerk with your hotel receipts. If an on-line hotel booking service is used, the following two documents must be provided to the jury clerk: 1) Receipt from the on-line service and, 2) Receipt from the hotel detailing when the juror checked-in and checked-out. This documentation can be provided in a letter from the hotel. A lone receipt from the on-line service will not satisfy the documentation our office needs to reimburse you in a timely manner. - COURTROOM DECORUM:
- The following is a guideline for courtroom decorum which jurors are asked to observe:
- Rise when addressing or being addressed by the Judge and always begin your answer to a question by stating your name and juror number.
- No tobacco in any form at any time,
- No propping of feet on tables and/or chairs,
- No bottles, beverage containers, paper cups or food shall be brought into the Courtroom,
- No gum chewing, reading of newspapers and/or magazines (except as part of evidence in a case),
- Appropriate dress is required. Coat and tie is preferred for male jurors. Female jurors may wear pant suits or dresses.
- CHANGE OF NAMES, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND/OR EMPLOYMENT CHANGES:
- Jurors who have a change of name, address, phone number and/or employment after they have submitted their Juror Qualification Questionnaire should submit these changes to the Jury Clerk as soon as possible. Be sure to indicate the Panel Number and Juror Number with the change being submitted.
A current mailing address is important and required so that your jury check can be delivered by the postal service. The U. S. Post Office will not forward jury checks.
A current daytime phone number is also important in the event we need to contact you by telephone.
If you have additional questions regarding your service to this Court, please feel free to call the Jury Clerk at (830) 703-2101. Our toll free telephone number is 1-888-871-6980.