The United States Constitution and the Texas Constitution guarantee all people, regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status, the right to trial by an impartial jury. Justice ultimately depends to a large measure upon the quality of the jurors who serve in our courts.
About Jury Service
What to Expect
Jurors are required to report to the City of Corpus Christi Municipal Court (see address below) at the time specified on the jury summons. Please review Jury Etiquette before attending.
Municipal Court
120 N. Chaparral
Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
-
- Free Parking is available in the parking lot at Coopers Alley and Water Street. Parking for persons with disabilities is available at this lot and in front of the building. View the Parking Lot Graphic here.
- Juror information forms must be filled out completely and submitted.
- On the day of the trial, you will enter Municipal Court at the Chaparral entrance.
- After you are screened through security, proceed to the area directed by security.
- Submit your jury information sheet to court personnel and be seated.
- Electronic devices, including laptops, tablets, cellular telephones and reading materials may be used while in the jury room while waiting to appear in Court. These devices may NOT be used during the trial or during deliberations.
- While in the courtroom, ALL devices must be on silent or turned off.
- Taking pictures, video or audio taping is prohibited during your service as a juror.
- Reading materials may be brought on date of jury duty, however reading is NOT permitted in the courtroom.
NOTE: if you wish to be notified by email whether your service will be required, please send your email address to MCJury@cctexas.com and type the Jury Date summoned to in the subject line.
Jury Selection Process
-
- Prospective jurors are summoned randomly from a list of voters and driver registrations in Nueces County. When you are called to Court the judge will discuss juror qualifications and exemptions. Jurors that do not qualify or are exempt will be released from jury duty.
- The remaining jurors will participate in voir dire. Voir dire is the process by which our jury is selected.
- During voir dire prospective jurors are asked questions by both the prosecutor and the defense.
- The prosecutor and the defense may then each strike 3 prospective jurors.
- The prospective jurors remaining after this process is over will be sworn in and are the jurors that will serve for that trial.
- Jury trials do not typically last longer than 1 day.
- Prospective jurors are summoned randomly from a list of voters and driver registrations in Nueces County. When you are called to Court the judge will discuss juror qualifications and exemptions. Jurors that do not qualify or are exempt will be released from jury duty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is jury service important?
As a juror, you must be fair and impartial. Your actions and decisions must be free of any bias or prejudice. Your actions and decisions are the foundation of our judicial system.
Jurors must:
-
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Be a citizen of the United States;
- Be a resident of this state, the county, and of the city in which one is to serve as a juror;
- Be qualified under the Constitution and laws to vote in the county in which the individual is to serve as juror;
- Be of sound mind and good moral character;
- Be able to read, write and communicate in English;
- Not have served as a petit juror for six (6) days during the preceding three months in a county court or during the preceding six months in a district court.
- Not have not been convicted of a misdemeanor theft or felony;
- Not under indictment of other legal accusation for misdemeanor theft or a felony.
Who can be excused from jury service?
You are entitled to be excused as a juror if you:
-
- Are over 75 years of age;
- Have legal custody of a child under 12 years of age and person’s service on the jury requires leaving the child without adequate supervision;
- Are a student of a public or private secondary school;
- Are a person enrolled and in actual attendance of an institution of higher education;
- Are an officer or an employee of the senate, the house of representatives, or any department, commission, board, office, or other agency in the legislative branch of state government;
- Are a primary caretaker of a person who is unable to care for himself or herself;
- Are a member of the United States military forces serving on active duty and deployed away from the person’s home station and out of the person’s county of residence.
About Us
Our mission is to provide the citizens of Corpus Christi, Texas with a fair and impartial court of law by interpreting and adjudicating applicable state laws and city ordinances. Municipal Court strives to provide efficient and effective services through the promotion of justice.
Please note that a payment will result in a judgment and conviction which will be reported to the Texas Department of Public safety and be placed on your driving record or criminal history, if applicable.
Contact Information
Phone: (361) 826-2500
Payment by Phone:
1 (866) 299-7084
General Questions:
MCMail@cctexas.com
To request a Payment Plan:
MCPaymentPlan@cctexas.com
Attorney Communication:
MCDefenseAttorney@cctexas.com
Court Location
Municipal Court is open to the public from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday through Friday with extended hours on Thursdays from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. The Municipal Court encourages the public to resolve their case online, by email, mail, or by phone.
Municipal Court
120 N. Chaparral Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78401