Jury Services
Tarrant County Jury Services helps residents understand jury summons requirements, complete required steps online, request approved changes, and prepare for reporting to court. This article explains how jury service works, how to access official systems, what information jurors may need, where to direct questions, and how to avoid common mistakes during the jury process.
Jury Services Overview
Tarrant County Jury Services manages the process of providing jurors for courts throughout the county. The office supports jurors from the time they receive a summons through reporting, exemptions or disqualifications, rescheduling requests, and online court assignments.
The official Jury Services page provides online services designed to make jury service more convenient. Through the available systems, jurors can submit exemptions, disqualifications, reschedule a jury date, or confirm service for an online court assignment.
Jury Services provides jurors to 52 courts located throughout Tarrant County. These include courts in downtown Fort Worth, northeast of downtown Fort Worth, and sub-courthouses throughout the county. Jury Services is not part of federal courts or municipal courts.
How Jury Lists Work
The jury selection process begins with the statewide jury list system. According to Tarrant County Jury Services, the Texas Legislature establishes the laws governing jury service. Every other year, the Secretary of State receives voter lists and driver’s license and identification card lists from the Department of Public Safety. These lists are combined and sent to Tarrant County for the upcoming two-year jury cycle.
The Tarrant County jury list begins in January of even-numbered years and ends during the last week of December in odd-numbered years. Because the list contains more than one million names, not every person on the list receives a summons during each cycle.
Tarrant County mails more than 200,000 jury summons annually. Receiving a summons means the person has been selected from the county jury list and must follow the instructions provided with the summons.
Online Juror Services
Tarrant County provides an online system called Juror Access for eligible jurors who need to complete jury-related tasks electronically.
Jurors who receive a postcard with a purple highlighted box are required to access the new Juror Access system. Jurors who receive a postcard with a green highlighted box are required to access the new Juror Access system for grand jury access. The system became effective for these jurors on March 24, 2026.
To use Juror Access, jurors must provide their Juror ID number, last name, and date of birth. The system also requires an email address and phone number. Through the online system, jurors may complete qualification questionnaires, claim exemptions or disqualifications when allowed, reschedule an original jury date, or receive an online court assignment.
Online Court Assignments
Jurors who register online at least two days before their summons date and confirm service may receive jury service instructions by email. Emails are sent no later than 4 p.m. on the day before the summons date.
An online assignment may change the reporting date, time, and location. The email sent by Jury Services provides the court location and the date and time assigned by the judge. Jurors who believe they may have missed an email can log into Juror Access and review updated instructions under the profile tab.
The online assignment process helps reduce unnecessary waiting by allowing jurors to receive specific reporting instructions instead of waiting in the Central Jury Room to learn whether a court needs a jury.
Reporting for Jury Duty
Jurors must follow the instructions provided by Jury Services or the assigned court. When a juror receives an online assignment, the juror reports directly to the court at the time requested by that court.
When reporting to the Central Jury Room, a juror may receive an assignment for the morning, afternoon, or the following business day. Each judge establishes court hours, although courts generally operate from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Reporting for Duty information explains reporting expectations and court requirements for jurors.
Courtroom Expectations
Tarrant County courts maintain a strict appearance policy for jurors. Appropriate clothing should be similar to what someone would wear for a job interview. Shorts, inappropriate t-shirts, and tank tops are not considered appropriate courtroom attire.
Business or economic conflicts related to jury service must be addressed inside the courtroom. Legal reasons for being excused are handled through the qualification, exemption, or disqualification process.
Qualifications and Exemptions
Jury service requirements are established by law. Individuals who do not meet the legal qualifications to serve must file a disqualification. Certain exemptions may allow a person to be excused without reporting to a judge.
Exemptions are optional, and a person who qualifies for an exemption may choose to serve instead. Tarrant County provides several methods for submitting exemptions and disqualifications.
Online through Juror Access after completing the qualification questionnaire.
By fax using the juror information form from the summons.
By postal mail with the summons and request.
By contacting Jury Services for questions or permitted rescheduling requests.
In person at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center.
The Excuses information explains the available exemption and disqualification process.
Rescheduling Jury Service
By law, jurors may reschedule jury service one time for any reason. The deferral date must be a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday and must be at least six weeks after the current summons date.
Jurors can request a new date through several approved methods. The online Juror Access system allows jurors to complete the qualification questionnaire and select the “DEFERRAL” tab to choose a new date.
Other rescheduling options include the interactive voice response system, email, or contacting Jury Services when online options cannot be completed.
The Reschedule Jury Date page provides the current procedures for requesting a change.
Contacting Jury Services
Jurors should direct questions about lost summonses, deferrals, or jury-related correspondence to Tarrant County Jury Services. When contacting the office by email, jurors should include their candidate number or date of birth. Correspondence should also include the juror number.
The Jury Services staff directory identifies the office personnel who assist with jury-related questions. The Staff Directory provides available staff contact information.
Jury Service Scams
Tarrant County warns residents about jury duty scams. Jury Services will never contact someone by phone to request payment of a fine for failing to appear for jury service.
Residents who receive suspicious calls about paying money for missed jury service should recognize that payment requests made by phone are not part of the Jury Services process.
Common Jury Mistakes
Many jury service problems can be avoided by following the instructions provided with the summons and using official county systems.
Ignoring a jury summons instead of contacting Jury Services.
Missing online registration requirements before the assigned deadline.
Using incorrect information when accessing Juror Access.
Failing to check updated instructions after requesting an online assignment.
Contacting unrelated courts because Jury Services is separate from federal and municipal courts.
Responding to scam calls requesting payment for missed jury service.
Jury Calendar Information
Tarrant County publishes a jury calendar showing scheduled non-jury dates and holidays. The Jury Calendar provides dates that affect jury scheduling.
Jurors cannot be postponed to non-jury weeks. People requesting a new date should review available scheduling information and follow the approved rescheduling process.
Office Location
Tarrant County Jury Services operates from the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in Fort Worth. Jurors who need to visit in person should use the office location provided by Jury Services.
Jury Services Offices
Tarrant County Jury Services
401 W. Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
817-383-1811
Jury Services FAQs
How can I change my Tarrant County jury service date?
If you cannot serve on your scheduled date, Tarrant County allows jurors to reschedule jury service one time for any reason. The new date must fall on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday and must be at least six weeks after the current summons date. Jurors can request a new date through Juror Access after completing the qualification questionnaire and selecting the “DEFERRAL” tab. The county also provides other approved rescheduling options through its official process.
What should I do if I qualify for an exemption from jury service?
Jurors who meet certain legal requirements may qualify for an exemption or may need to file a disqualification if they do not meet the qualifications to serve. Exemptions are optional, meaning a person who qualifies may choose to serve instead. Tarrant County provides details about available options through the official jury service exemptions and disqualifications information.
Where do I find my updated jury instructions?
Jurors who register online at least two days before their summons date and confirm service may receive updated instructions by email. If an online assignment is provided, the reporting date, time, and location may be different from the original summons. Jurors who believe they missed an email can log into Juror Access and review updated instructions under the profile tab.
What happens if I receive a suspicious jury duty payment call?
Tarrant County warns residents about jury duty scams involving requests for payment over the phone. Jury Services will not contact someone by phone to request payment of a fine for failing to appear for jury service. Residents should use official county information when checking jury-related requirements or instructions.
Can I check dates that affect jury scheduling?
Jurors can review the official Jury Calendar for scheduled non-jury dates and holidays. Jurors cannot be postponed to non-jury weeks, so anyone requesting a change should follow the county’s approved rescheduling process.