Register to Vote, Serve When Summoned
Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse Launches Campaign to Raise Awareness About Importance of Voting, Jury Service and Warns Against Online Scams
AUSTIN, TEXAS – Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse calls on Texans to do the Texas two-step of civic engagement: register and respond. By registering to vote and responding to a jury summons, Texans can take two simple steps to strengthen our democracy and judicial system.
“In this election year, we’ll hear much about the importance of voting, but there are additional responsibilities that strengthen our democracy and protect our rights as citizens. That’s why we’re calling on Texans to remember to register to vote and cast their ballots but also to respond when summoned to serve on a jury,” said Robert Wood, spokesman for Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse (TALA).
“Every citizen can contribute to fairness and balance in the civil justice system by serving on a jury when called,” said Wood. “Jury service is critical to protecting our rights as Americans and ensuring all defendants are treated fairly in the courtroom.”
Yet, in recent years, many people in Texas and around the country have avoided jury service. National research and previous studies conducted by Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse estimated that as many as 80 to 90 percent of those called to serve in some areas of our state ignore their summons.
Courts depend upon citizens to serve as jurors, and all citizens should be encouraged to respond when summoned for jury service.
Over the years, many counties have moved to online scheduling for jury service, making it easier to respond to a summons. More recently, House Bill 3474, which took effect last fall, increased jury pay from $6 to $20 for the first day of service and $40 to $58 per day for those impaneled to serve for a trial. The new law affects those summoned for petit juries and those serving on grand juries.
Local, state, and federal law enforcement and court officials have reported increased online and phone scams about jury service. Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse reminds citizens of these tips to avoid jury or court scams:
- Courts always send a jury summons by U.S. Mail. They will never ask for a credit/debit card number, wire transfer, bank routing number, or demand payment over the phone.
- Courts will never request sensitive information, including bank accounts, credit cards, or Social Security numbers, over the phone, in email, or by text,
- Courts will contact a prospective juror who disregards a summons by mail and may, in certain circumstances, be ordered to appear before a judge. Such an order will always be in writing and signed by the judge.
- Courts only impose a fine after an individual has appeared in court and has had an opportunity to explain their failure to appear. If a fine is imposed, it will be in open court and reduced to writing (and will not be payable by gift card number).
To register to vote and learn what’s on the ballot, visit votetexas.gov.
To learn more about jury service, visit the Texas Courts jury service information page.
To report a possible online scam involving jury service or the court system, contact the Federal Trade Commission’s fraud reporting system or notify your local or federal law enforcement officials.
Learn more at tala.com.
