Grand Jury Service Excusal Reasons

Disqualifications for Grand Jurors

To be qualified to serve as a grand juror you must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Be a citizen of the United States. (Ser ciudadano de Los Estados Unidos.)
  • Be a resident of this state and a resident of the county in which you are to serve as a grand juror.
  • Be qualified under the Constitution and laws to vote in the county in which you are to serve as a juror. (Note: You do not have to be registered to vote to be qualified to vote.)
  • Be of sound mind and good moral character.
  • Be able to read and write.
  • Not have been convicted of misdemeanor theft or a felony.
  • Not be under indictment or other legal accusation for misdemeanor theft or a felony.
  • Not be related within the third degree by consanguinity or second degree by affinity to any person selected to serve or serving on the same grand jury.
  • Not have served as a grand juror in the year before the date on which the term of court for which the person has been selected as a grand juror begins.
  • Not be a complainant in any matter to be heard by the grand jury during the term of court for which the person has been selected as a grand juror.

* If you do not meet all of the qualifications, you MUST claim that you are disqualified. If you claim to be disqualified because you are not a resident of this county, you may become ineligible to vote in this county. If you state that you are not a U.S Citizen, you may no longer be eligible to vote if you fail to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship to your county voter registrar.

Statutory Exemptions for Grand Jurors

  • You are over 70 years of age.
  • You are a person responsible for the care of a child younger than 18 years of age.
  • You are a student of a public or private high school.
  • You are enrolled and attend college.

* You do not have to claim an exemption and may instead choose to serve.

Medical Exemptions

Affidavit for Exemption from Jury Duty for Physical or Mental Impairment [PDF]

  • Fill in the form.
  • Write your Juror ID on the top right-hand corner of the form.
  • Sign the form.
  • Have the form notarized.
  • ALL MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS MUST INCLUDE A LETTER OR STATEMENT FROM YOUR DOCTOR STATING WHY YOU ARE UNABLE TO SERVE AS A JUROR.
  • Return both the medical affidavit AND the doctor's statement via
                Fax:                  (281) 238-3337 
                E-Mail:           jurydept@fbctx.gov 
                Mail:                District Clerk
                                           Attn: Jury Department 
                                           301 Jackson Street
                                           Richmond, Texas 77469
                In Person:      1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Room 31004
                                           Richmond Texas 77469

Inability To Comprehend English

Affidavit for Exemption from Jury Duty for Inability to Comprehend English [PDF]

  • The form must be translated and filled out by someone who understands and writes in the English language.
  • The translator must fill in the form.
  • Write your Juror ID on the top right-hand corner of the form.
  • The translator must sign and print their name on the form.
  • The form must be notarized.
  • Return the language affidavit via 
                Fax:                  (281) 238-3337 
                E-Mail:            jurydept@fbctx.gov 
                Mail:                 District Clerk
                                           Attn: Jury Department 
                                           301 Jackson Street
                                           Richmond, Texas 77469
                In Person:      1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Room 31004
                                           Richmond Texas 77469

Do you have any questions? Call 281-344-3900 or email jurydept@fbctx.gov

** Please provide us your Juror ID when responding by e-mail. **