To serve on a Texas jury you must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen, a resident of Texas and of the county, and qualified to vote there, among other requirements1. A conviction for a felony or misdemeanor theft disqualifies you permanently, with some exceptions2.
The requirements
- AgeAt least 181.
- CitizenshipA U.S. citizen1.
- ResidenceA resident of Texas and of the county1.
- VotingQualified to vote in the county. You do not have to be registered3.
- CharacterOf sound mind and good moral character1.
- LiteracyAble to read and write1.
- No disqualifying convictionNever convicted of misdemeanor theft or a felony1.
- No pending chargeNot under indictment or other legal accusation for misdemeanor theft or a felony4.
- Recent serviceNot served as a juror for six days in the past three months in county court or six months in district court1.
Past convictions
You are permanently disqualified, unless you received a dismissal and discharge after deferred adjudication, your community supervision was ended early, or you were pardoned or had your civil rights restored2.
Then this rule does not disqualify you. But being under indictment or other legal accusation for misdemeanor theft or a felony disqualifies you while it is pending4.
Questions
I am blind, deaf or hard of hearing. Am I disqualified?
Not automatically. A deaf or hard of hearing juror, or a legally blind juror in a civil case, is disqualified only if the court finds the condition makes them unfit for that particular case; deaf or hard of hearing jurors must be reasonably accommodated6.
Can I be removed from a particular case?
Yes, for example if you are a witness, have an interest in the case, are closely related to a party, or have a bias for or against a party7.
What about city court juries?
For a municipal court, you must live in that city8.
Qualified but want out? See exemptions and excuses in Texas.
What to do next
- Read the disqualification section of your summons and claim it the way the summons says.
- If a past conviction may affect you, check whether one of the exceptions applies2; ask the clerk if unsure.
Related
Sources
8 official sources, with the exact sentence each rule comes from
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.102 – General Qualifications for Jury Service. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.102(a)."(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person is disqualified to serve as a petit juror unless the person: (1) is at least 18 years of age; (2) is a citizen of the United States; (3) is a resident of this state and of the county in which the person is to serve as a juror; (4) is qualified under the constitution and laws to vote in the county in which the person is to serve as a juror; (5) is of sound mind and good moral character; (6) is able to read and write; (7) has not been convicted of misdemeanor theft; (8) has not been convicted of a felony; (9) is not under indictment or other legal accusation for misdemeanor theft or a felony; and (10) has not served as a petit juror for six days during the preceding three months in the county court or during the preceding six months in the district court."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.115 – Compilation of List of Convicted Persons. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.115(b)."(b) A person who was convicted of misdemeanor theft or a felony shall be permanently disqualified from serving as a juror. A person is exempt from this section if the person: (1) was placed on deferred adjudication and received a dismissal and discharge in accordance with Article 42A.111, Code of Criminal Procedure; (2) was placed on community supervision and the period of community supervision was terminated early under Article 42A.701, Code of Criminal Procedure; or (3) was pardoned or has had the person's civil rights restored."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.1031 – Failure to Register to Vote. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.1031."Failure to register to vote does not disqualify a person from jury service."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.102 – General Qualifications for Jury Service. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.102(a)(9)."(9) is not under indictment or other legal accusation for misdemeanor theft or a felony; and"
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0142 – Notice on Written Summons. Tex. Gov't Code §§ 62.0142, 62.113, 62.114."If a written summons for jury duty allows a person to claim a disqualification or exemption by signing a statement and returning it to the clerk of the court, the form must notify the person that by claiming a disqualification or exemption based on: (1) the lack of citizenship, the person will no longer be eligible to vote if the person fails to provide proof of citizenship; or (2) lack of residence in the county, the person might no longer be eligible to vote in the county."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.1041 – Deaf or Hard of Hearing Juror. Tex. Gov't Code §§ 62.104, 62.1041."(a) A deaf or hard of hearing person is not disqualified to serve as a juror solely because of hearing loss except as provided by this section."
- 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 § 62.501 – Qualification (Municipal Court Juries). Tex. Gov't Code § 62.501."To be eligible to serve on a jury of a municipal court, including a municipal court of record, a person must be resident of the municipality for which the court is established."
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.