Names are drawn at random from lists such as voter and driver records12. People who report form a panel; the judge and lawyers question them and remove some for reasons such as bias or a connection to the case3. The rest are sworn in as the jury.
Terms you will hear
- Jury wheel
- The pool of names a county draws from. In Texas it combines voter and driver's license lists7.
- Panel
- The group of people sent to a courtroom for questioning.
- Questioning (voir dire)
- The judge and lawyers ask questions to find reasons a person should not sit on the case.
- Removal for cause
- In Texas, for example, if you are a witness, have an interest in the case, are closely related to a party, or are biased3.
- Alternates
- Extra jurors who step in if needed. Texas district courts may seat up to four4.
- Grand jury
- Decides whether to charge someone, not guilt. A Texas indictment needs at least nine grand jurors' votes8.
State and federal compared
State courts
Federal courts
Most people summoned are never seated. Texas's court office says usually more than two-thirds are not selected10.
What to do next
- Answer questions honestly during selection; it is how the court finds a fair jury.
- See what to expect at jury duty for the rest of the day.
Related
Sources
10 official sources, with the exact sentence each rule comes from
- N.Y. Judiciary Law § 506 – Source of names. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 506."The commissioner of jurors shall cause the names of prospective jurors to be selected at random from the voter registration lists, and from such other available lists of the residents of the county as the chief administrator of the courts shall specify, such as lists of utility subscribers, licensed operators of motor vehicles, registered owners of motor vehicles, state and local taxpayers, persons applying for or receiving family assistance, medical assistance or safety net assistance, persons receiving state unemployment benefits and persons who have volunteered to serve as jurors"
- Juror Selection Process | United States Courts. uscourts.gov; 28 U.S.C. § 1863(b)(2)."All courts use the respective state voter lists as a source of prospective jurors. If voter lists alone fail to provide the court and litigants with a representative cross section of the relevant community, courts use other sources in addition to voter lists, such as lists of licensed drivers in the district,"
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.105 – Disqualification for Particular Jury. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.105."A person is disqualified to serve as a petit juror in a particular case if he: (1) is a witness in the case; (2) is interested, directly or indirectly, in the subject matter of the case; (3) is related by consanguinity or affinity within the third degree, as determined under Chapter 573, to a party in the case; (4) has a bias or prejudice in favor of or against a party in the case; or (5) has served as a petit juror in a former trial of the same case or in another case involving the same questions of fact."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.201 – Number of Jurors (District Court). Tex. Gov't Code §§ 62.201, 62.301, 62.020."The jury in a district court is composed of 12 persons, except that the parties may agree to try a particular case with fewer than 12 jurors."
- Types of Juries | United States Courts. uscourts.gov."Petit juries are comprised of 6-12 people. ... Petit jurors hear a maximum of one case and are then discharged."
- Types of Juries | United States Courts. uscourts.gov."Consists of 16-23 grand jurors. ... Unlike petit juries, grand juries do not meet every day, instead meeting in any number of calendar combinations throughout their term."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.001 – Jury Source; Reconstitution of Jury Wheel. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.001(a), (g)."(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), the jury wheel must be reconstituted by using, as the source: (1) the names of all persons on the current voter registration lists from all the precincts in the county; and (2) all names on a current list to be furnished by the Department of Public Safety, showing the residents of the county who: (A) hold a valid Texas driver's license or a valid personal identification card or certificate issued by the department; and (B) are not disqualified from jury service under Section 62.102(a)(1), (2), (3), (7), or (8)."
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 20A.301 – Voting on Indictment. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 20A.301."If at least nine grand jurors concur in finding the bill, the foreperson shall make a memorandum of the vote with any information enabling the attorney representing the state to prepare the indictment."
- NY Courts – Jurors: Questions & Answers (FAQs). NY Courts juror FAQ."Jurors who do not sit on a jury trial may serve for as little as 1–2 days. Those who are selected to serve on a jury are required to serve on only one trial."
- Jury Service in Texas, Texas Judicial Branch / Office of Court Administration (txcourts.gov). OCA juror information page."While the jury selection process may require your attendance for a day or a fraction of a day, jury duty generally lasts about one week. However, the majority, usually more than two-thirds, of all summoned jurors are NOT actually selected for service, therefore, their duty ends after a short time with the completion of the jury selection process."
Reviewed by Roger K. Neustadt, JD, attorney admitted in Georgia. Verified November 10, 2026.
Roger K. Neustadt is admitted in Georgia; pages about other states and federal courts are general information checked against official sources. How we check every rule: editorial policy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
This page explains the law in general terms and is not legal advice. Jury Duty Explained is not affiliated with any court. Your summons and your court's instructions control, so check them first.