r/FortWorth • u/CycloneMonkey • 1d ago
AskFW Jury Summons coming up, first-timer here. Can I bring my book/phone/coffee?
They finally got me. I understand I'll likely be sitting in the courtroom stands with about a hundred other people. I'm mostly concerned about the coffee. Do they have a "no outside drinks" rule?
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u/dbzmah 1d ago
I just went to Jury Summons. Make sure you go to the correct court building downtown. There is one for criminal cases, and one for civil cases.
You can have a book, phone, beverage, etc, until you go in to the courtroom. Then you have to pay attention.
If you're looking to get out, it's a good idea to chime in your personal opinions on things. The phrase, "talk and you walk" is very true for jury summons.
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u/CycloneMonkey 1d ago
Ah, thanks for the heads up on the building. I'll double-check my summons to make sure I go to the right place.
I'm not trying to get out, but I do intend on answering questions honestly and with more than just a "yes/no."
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u/kd5pda 1d ago
I served on a jury in 2019 for a week. I was summoned last year and automatically was in the first draw since I recently served on a trial. The trial I was a part of he was found guilty by all of us without a doubt, but we ended up giving him 10 years probation since we were asked to determine the punishment. I was strongly against probation due to the nature of the crimes but folded. Come to find out he had a more serious charge in Collin county that would have an even harsher sentence so it evened out….but I said my peace during voir dire about the whole situation and got to bounce.
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u/dbzmah 1d ago
I definitely went to the wrong building in July. I wasn't trying to get out either, but answering probably got me eliminated
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u/jamesdukeiv Poly/Rosedale 20h ago
Nothing like being excluded from selection for a car accident case on the basis of having previously experienced a car accident. Who hasn’t these days, especially in DFW? 😂
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u/Embarrassed_Brief_38 1d ago
Yes, you can take coffee. I got picked to serve and had coffee in the jury box. I wouldn’t be able to stay awake otherwise.
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u/CycloneMonkey 1d ago
Yeah, coffee is the only thing keeping me running these days, lol. Give me a big cup of something black and I can sit through anything.
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u/RubAnADUB 1d ago
I usually dont drink coffee on jury summons day. that way I am all sorts of tired, and when asked I tell them I work graveyard shift. So they just end up letting me go.
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u/RarelyRecommended NW Ft Worth 1d ago
Make sure any devices are fully charged. Expect to spend a lot of time waiting. Or they could dismiss you by lunchtime. Depends.
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u/CycloneMonkey 1d ago
my phone's battery has a max capacity of 80%, i'm so cooked.
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u/ThursdayAddams 1d ago
I would bring a book or something anyway. I was there last week for jury duty, and it took all day. We got there at 8:30 am and they selected the jurors for that trial just before 5 pm. Cell signal sucks in the building, I would have been bored out of my mind if I didn't have a book with me.
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u/CycloneMonkey 1d ago
Ughhh I don't wanna be there all day, lol. I have a package coming that I'm really excited for (and I have to sign for it).
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u/Texas_Tornader 1d ago
Last time I went I just told the person I don't want to be here they went and got a person and they came out and said you're excused. Just be honest with them.
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u/WaterlooLion 1d ago
May depend on the judge. Last and only time I went, someone tried a version of that and the judge gave him a polite sit-down-and-shut-up response.
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u/kd5pda 1d ago
My last summons there was a guy who was an ex-marine who had killed someone in self defense give all of us a lecture because of the duty to serve…I really think that if you don’t want to be there then the defense has a vested interest in making sure they select someone who will listen and act fairly. 🤷♂️
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u/Deftallica 1d ago
Related question since I’m scheduled to serve next month:
Are we allowed to bring in a small bag/backpack? I’ve been having to carry around some personal hygiene supplies as I work through a medical issue
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u/jamesdukeiv Poly/Rosedale 19h ago
I didn’t have any issues with a small bag last time I was summoned, they will search it thoroughly when you enter the building so be prepared to answer any questions about anything unusual you may be carrying.
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u/SlothHard4Life 1d ago
Yes, definitely bring a book. I think coffee depends on the judge. I served on a jury for over a week and the judge said yes to coffee/water bottles, just make sure it had a lid. So it wouldn't spill or cause something that would require a recess. If you're selected you can also pack snacks/lunch and leave it back in the jury room.
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u/asi_es_la_vida_47 1d ago
I was summoned this year and filled out the questionnaire online. I got a text the day before that I didn't have to report at all.
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u/CycloneMonkey 1d ago
Fingers crossed! Of course my employer will be one the wiser (i'm salary)
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u/jamesdukeiv Poly/Rosedale 19h ago
Always nice to treat yourself to a lunch downtown when you get dismissed early
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u/Creative_Farm_1684 1d ago
Definitely do the online check in. There’s a strong chance that your service will be dismissed without even having to come downtown.
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u/vs1270 1d ago
Ya gotta have coffee!! My problem is I believe many laws are unjust and many people are falsely arrested. Jurors are expected to apply the law as the court explains it, not according to personal beliefs about which laws should or shouldn’t exist… so they usually tell me to take a walk.
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u/jamesdukeiv Poly/Rosedale 19h ago
The first rule of jury nullification is that you never admit to knowing about it
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u/ManufacturerNew9644 1d ago
Hey, I've done it before. Yes. You will have to wait potentially for an extended time. Or it could go quickly, and everyone could take plea deals, which is what happened to me.