El Paso Jury Instructions
Juror Instructions:
P-78-3 (EL PASO DIVISION)
Posted: 11/6/2009 Updated!
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE NOVEMEBER Panel: P-78-3
Please be reminded that there are dress restrictions for jurors (and everyone coming into a U.S. Courthouse). Gentlemen: Please, NO t-shirts/body shirts with concert themes or any type of logo. NO shorts/cut-offs; NO flip flops/shower shoes. Acceptable attire would be a tucked-in, sleeved, collared shirt with slacks or jeans. Ladies: NO shorts, capris or cut-offs; NO halter tops, spaghetti straps, tank or tube tops; NO flip flops/shower shoes. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in maintaining proper attire in our Courthouse.
For Monday, November 9th, NO jurors are needed, NO one need report.
Wednesday, November 11th, is Veterans Day, and the U.S. Courthouse will be closed.
A heartfelt "Thank You" to all our veterans, to our active duty personnel, and to our reservists.
Would the entire panel, please check this website again on Thursday, November 12th, for a possible jury selection on Friday, November 13th.
Please, and Thank you!
INFORMATION ABOUT FEDERAL JURY SERVICE
- LOCATION:
- United States District Courthouse
511 E. San Antonio Street
El Paso, Texas 79901
Courthouse Map
Via Google:
Courthouse Location
You will report to the Jury Assembly Room on the 1st floor of the courthouse, Room #152. - ENTERING COURTHOUSE:
- A photo i.d. is required for everyone when entering the U.S. Courthouse.
- PARKING:
- There are numerous "pay parking lots" in the area:
- Diversified at Kansas and Myrtle;
- County Parking Garage at Kansas and East Overland Ave.;
- U S Parking Systems at Kansas and East Overland Avenue; or,
- There are 1-2 lots available on Myrtle Avenue.
- YOUR SUMMONS:
- Your summons includes important information about your jury service in Federal Court.
How long will I serve?
Your jury panel will remain on-call for thirty days beginning with the day of your first appearance.
- What day do I begin my service?
Your summons includes the date you are scheduled to report. 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 our code-a-phone message or access our website. Both sources will provide information regarding your jury service. When accessing either source, it is important to know your jury panel name and juror number that is listed on your summons. (Example: P-67-3 and Juror No. 14)
- What is the expected length and frequency of my service?
Jury selections can be scheduled any day of the week. If you report for jury duty and are NOT selected, you will receive oral instructions on when to call again. If you are selected for a trial and it lasts more than one day, the judge will dismiss the jury each evening with instructions on when to report the next day. Most of the trials are estimated to last from 1-3 days. If the trial continues late into the evening, 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:
- Please enclose with your completed questionnaire, any request to be excused or postponed from jury service. Return within five (5) days of receiving your packet. Enclosed with your summons mail-out, you will find an excuse form that you can use to submit your excuse in writing. Your request must indicate the Jury Panel Name and the Juror Number assigned to you. If you have a trip, a meeting, a medical appointment, etc., during the term of your service, you must submit this information immediately. You should list the dates of your trip (leaving/returning). If you are a student requesting to be excused, please include a class schedule with your written request to be excused. This office will notify you either by telephone or by letter as soon as the Judge has ruled on your request. You are NOT to assume that your request has been granted. Federal law is very strict regarding the granting of excuses.
Address all requests to:
Clerk, United States District Court
Attention: JURY SECTION
511 E. San Antonio Street, Room 219
El Paso, Texas 79901
OR
you may email your request to: El Paso Jury Clerk.
If you require an extreme hardship excuse/postponement AFTER the start of your thirty day term of service, submit your request immediately by FAX. The fax number is: (915)534-6095.
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOUR SERVICES ARE NEEDED.
If you submit a request to be excused/postponed on the day you are directed to report, and the Court grants your request, you will NOT be paid the attendance fee, nor the mileage fee, and you will not be reimbursed any parking expense. Jurors who fail to report for jury duty, and who have not been excused/postponed 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 explain why they should not be held in contempt of the Jury Selection and Service 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 (with the exception of Federal Government employees), 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.
- 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 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.
- No t-shirts or body shirts. A collared shirt is acceptable for men.
- No flip flops, show shoes and etc.
- No capri pants, shorts or cut-offs.
- No sunglasses, except for prescription.
- No headgear (caps, berets, scarves and etc.).
- No tank tops, no spaghetti straps and no tube tops.
- CHANGE OF NAMES, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND/OR EMPLOYMENT CHANGES:
- Jurors who have a change of name, or address, or phone number, and/or employment status, MUST submit these changes to the Jury Section as soon as possible. Be sure to indicate the Panel Name and the Juror Number with the change(s) submitted.
A current mailing address is required in order to receive your notices and your jury check. The U.S. Postal Service cannot forward jury checks. A current day-time phone number is crucial in case we need to contact you by telephone.
If you have additional questions regarding your service to this Court, please call the Jury Section by dialing 534-6725: extension 261 for Lupe Hammer, extension 267 for Gloria Preciado, extension 235 for Elizabeth Chairez, or extension 263 for Michele Duenas. All four (4) extensions have voice mail.