Midland-Odessa Jury Instructions
Juror Instructions:
P-27-7
Posted: 11/18/2009 Updated!
Jurors # 161 - 300, you are still ON Call for Monday November 30th. We do not expect this to cancel, but ...Check back the night before you are to appear for final instructions! Thank you.
All other jurors wait for your next summons in the mail, possibly for December or January. We are not holding jury selection every week.
INFORMATION ABOUT FEDERAL JURY SERVICE
- LOCATION:
- United States District Courthouse
200 East Wall
Midland, Texas 79701
Courthouse Map
Via Google:
Courthouse Location
You will report for jury duty to the jury assembly room #310, third floor of the courthouse. - ENTERING COURTHOUSE:
- Please have a picture identification card available to present when entering the courthouse building.
- PARKING:
- Limited parking is available for jurors attending the Court. This parking is located across the street from the Federal Building on the north side of Wall Street. Please do not park in the lot located in front of the Post Office. Persons parking in the Post Office lot are limited to thirty (30) minutes and are subject to having their cars towed.
- 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 three 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-23-7 and Juror No. 166)
- What is the expected length and frequency of my service?
Jury selections are scheduled on Mondays with very few exceptions. Jurors can be summoned more than once during the particular month of their initial summons. 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 in for the next day. Most of the trials are estimated from 1 - 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/postponements should be mailed with the completed juror qualification questionnaire form in the return envelope provided. Excuses will not be considered without the questionnaire. If a situation arises after you have submitted your completed questionnaire, you may mail your request to:
Clerk, United States District Court
ATTN: Jury Clerk
200 E. Wall, Room 107
Midland, Texas 79701-5217
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. All excuses for medical reasons must be accompanied by a written narrative from the attending physician on his or her letterhead.
Jurors who fail to report for jury duty and who have not been excused by the court may be served a Show Cause Order. 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:
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- 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 (with the exception of Federal Government Employees).
- A prescribed rate per mile is paid for the distance traveled to and from a juror's residence by the shortest, practical route 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),
- It is recommended that male jurors wear a coat and tie and that all female jurors wear suits or dresses for jury duty. Jeans are not considered appropriate.
- CHANGE OF NAMES, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND/OR EMPLOYMENT CHANGES:
- 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.
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 Section as soon as possible. Be sure to indicate the Panel Number and Juror Number with the change being submitted.
A current day time phone number is also important in the event we need to contact you by telephone.
If you have additional questions regarding your jury service, please feel free to call the jury clerk at (432) 686-4001.