Jury Information

    PLEASE CALL THE JURY INFORMATION LINE ON THE SUNDAY BEFORE YOU REPORT FOR SERVICE FOR ANY UPDATES AT 512-393-7664

    NOTE: All jurors summoned for jury duty in a District Court on Monday, Sept. 12, should report no later than the time specified on your summons to the Hays County Government Center, 712 S. Stagecoach Trail in San Marcos.


    For anyone who received a jury summons for Tuesday, Sept. 13, you do not need to appear.

    Upcoming Jury Selection Dates:

    Monday – September 12

    Monday – September 19

    Monday – September 26

    Monday – October 3

    Tuesday – October 11

    Monday – October 17

    Monday – October 24

    Monday – October 31

    Monday – November 7

    Monday – November 14

    Monday – November 28

    Monday – December 5

    Monday – December 12

    Find it Fast

    DISTRICT COURT ADMINISTRATOR HAYS COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER

    712 S. Stagecoach Trail San Marcos, Texas 78666 (512) 393-7700

    FAX (512) 393-7713

    Pursuant to the Texas Supreme Court (Order 20-9042) and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (Order 20-007) and by recommendation from the 3rd Regional Presiding Judge and the Texas Office of Court Administration, all jury trials are cancelled through May 31, 2020.


    Essential hearings will be conducted. Essential hearings are criminal matters such as magistration, writs of habeas corpus, civil matters such as mental health commitments, juvenile detentions, emergency CPS removals, family violence protective orders, temporary restraining orders, habeas corpus proceedings arising under the Texas Family Code and any other matter that may be deemed an essential matter by the Court.


    If there is a plea ready, a non-contested hearing or if all parties agree to a hearing please call the court to get a court date. Video conferencing is currently being evaluated for use in the courtrooms to conduct hearings by this method.


    Please do not come to the courthouse without calling the court for any District Court matter. Attorneys and parties are expected to recognize the emergency and public health nature of this situation and to cooperate in presenting to the Courts only those matters that must be resolved immediately and that are fully ready to be resolved. The Courts strongly recommend to all litigants to take this time to work a solution to your cases.


    IF ANYBODY IS HAVING SYMPTOMS SIMILAR TO COVID-19, RECENTLY TRAVELLED INTERNATIONALLY OR OUT OF STATE, OR HAS COME IN CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS TRAVELLED OR IS SICK, DO NOT COME TO COURT. CONTACT THE COURT AND THE COURT WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY SCHEDU LING CHANGES TO ACCOMMODATE.


    If you should have any questions please feel free to contact steve.thomas@co.hays.tx.us. 

    To get to the Government Center at 712 South Stagecoach Trail:

    From I-35: Take Exit 202/Wonder World Drive/RR 12 on the south side of San Marcos and turn west. Go over the railroad track overpass and at the bottom make an immediate right (north) on South Stagecoach Trail.

    From Hunter Road/FM 2439: Turn east on Wonder World Drive/RR 12 toward I-35. Turn left (north) on South Stagecoach Trail at the bottom of the railroad overpass.

    Telephone Scams Regarding Jury Service

    Don’t fall victim to Jury scams. No official – Jury Coordinator, Judge, Clerk, Administrator, Sheriff’s Deputy, etc. — from Hays County will ever call you or email you for information such as your name, social security number or date of birth or request you to pay a fine by purchasing a pre-paid card for failure to report to jury duty. If you receive such a call or email, it is an attempt to steal your identity and financial information. Report such attempts to the District Clerk’s office at 512-393-7660 or juryclerk@co.hays.tx.us and report such incidents to local law enforcement agencies.

    Jury Process

    If you receive a jury summons and have a conflict you are allowed to request deferment to another day. You may call the District Clerk’s office and request to be deferred by phone at 512.393.7660 or e-mail your request to juryclerk@co.hays.tx.us. You are only allowed one deferment per summons so be sure to select a date on which you are certain to appear. When requesting a deferment online please list the following information in your e-mail:

    • Your name exactly as it appears on your summons
    • Summons number
    • Which District Court you are to appear in
    • What day and month you are summonsed to serve
    • If there is any incorrect information on your summons, please note what information needs to be corrected

    District Court Jury Trial Calendar for Deferment

    Requests for deferment must be sent by NOON on FRIDAY before you are to serve.


    ANY REQUEST FOR DEFERMENT AFTER THAT TIME MUST BE PRESENTED TO THE COURT.


    Jury trials may last two days to a full week. In some rare instances they will be longer and the court will let you know if that is anticipated. You must select a week in which you are certain to appear as the statutes only allow one deferment.


    Jury trials are open to the public for those wishing to attend and observe.


    The District Clerk maintains the calendar of jury weeks for the District Courts. The County Clerk has the calendar for the County Courts at Law. Each J.P. keeps their calendar of jury weeks for their court. You must contact the clerk of the court for which you are summonsed. The county web page has contact information for each Justice of the Peace. The County Clerk may be reached at 512.393.7330.


    Anyone who has an inability to comprehend or communicate in the English language, or has a physical or mental impairment that makes it impossible or very difficult for the person to serve on a jury may request a permanent exemption. When requesting a permanent exemption for medical reasons, a statement from your physician must accompany the Affidavit of Exemption.


    Anyone over 70 years of age is eligible for permanent exemption.


    The Affidavit of Exemption and all other forms are available on the District Clerk’s Online Forms page.


    For additional information, please contact the District Clerk’s Office at 512.393.7660 or by e-mail at juryclerk@co.hays.tx.us.


    The TEXAS UNIFORM JURY HANDBOOK should answer many of your questions. However, if you need other assistance you are encouraged to contact the District Clerk’s office by e-mail at juryclerk@co.hays.tx.us regarding your jury service no matter what court has sent you a summons. We will be glad to answer your questions regarding jury duty.

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