Public asked to answer call for jury duty

ANDERSON - As trials have become common place again in a post-Covid world, local Judges report low citizen turn out for jury duty.

During a recent trial setting, 506th District Judge Gary Chaney said 350 juror cards were mailed out by District Clerk Diane LeFlore and less than 70 citizens showed up for jury selection. County Court at Law Judge Tuck McLain relayed a similar incident where 150 cards were sent out by County Clerk Vanessa Burzynski and around 30 people showed up. Twelfth District Judge David Moorman echoed similar juror turnout issues in his court.

“Jury service is a fundamental component of our justice system in the United States,” said 506th District Judge Gary Chaney. “As citizens, each of us have a right to a fair and speedy trial.” Judge McLain added, “When we have an insufficient number of jurors show up for jury duty, we are in a situation where another citizen can’t get their day in court. This should not happen!”

Judge Chaney reached out to the Navasota Examiner to try and bring public awareness to this problem. “The last thing I want to do is start sending Constables out to find citizens who fail to show up for jury duty. I also don’t want to start imposing fines on citizens. However, we cannot standby and allow the justice system of Grimes County to not function because someone thinks they can ignore their civic duty,” said Judge Chaney. 

Grimes County District Attorney Andria Bender also weighed in on the issue. “Our office is doing everything possible to seek justice for victims and prosecute criminals in Grimes County. We must have the public respond for jury duty to make trials possible. We have lost one trial setting due to a low juror turnout in the last year and nearly lost another trial setting recently. I too am asking for citizens to respond to their juror summons and perform their civic duty.” Texas Government Code Section 62.0141 allows a Judge to fine a person summoned to jury duty up to $1,000 for failing to comply with the summons.