Tex. Gov't Code Section 62.109
Exemption for Physical or Mental Impairment or Inability to Comprehend English


(a)

The judge of a district court by order may permanently or for a specified period exempt from service as a juror in all the county and district courts in the county a person with a physical or mental impairment or with an inability to comprehend or communicate in the English language that makes it impossible or very difficult for the person to serve on a jury.

(b)

A person requesting an exemption under this section must submit to the court an affidavit stating the person’s name and address and the reason for and the duration of the requested exemption. A person requesting an exemption due to a physical or mental impairment must attach to the affidavit a statement from a physician. The affidavit and physician’s statement may be submitted to the court at the time the person is summoned for jury service or at any other time.

(c)

The clerk of the district court shall promptly notify the voter registrar of the county of the name and address of each person permanently exempted. The voter registrar shall maintain a current register showing the name and address of each person permanently exempt from jury service under this section.

(d)

A person listed on the register may not be summoned for jury service during the period for which the person is exempt. The name of a person listed on the register may not be placed in the jury wheel or otherwise used in preparing the record of names from which a jury list is selected during the period for which the person is exempt.

(e)

A person exempt from jury service under this section may rescind the exemption at any time by filing a signed request for the rescission with the voter registrar of the county.

(f)

An affidavit accompanying a request for an exemption from jury service because of a physical or mental impairment may be presented by the affiant or by a friend or relative of the affiant. The affidavit must state:

(1)

the name and address of the physician whose statement accompanies the affidavit;

(2)

whether the request is for a permanent or temporary exemption;

(3)

the period of time for which a temporary exemption is requested; and

(4)

that as a direct result of the physical or mental impairment it is impossible or very difficult for the affiant to serve on a jury.

(g)

An affidavit accompanying a request for an exemption from jury service because of an inability to comprehend or communicate in the English language must be presented by the affiant in person. The affidavit must:

(1)

be sworn to by the affiant in person before the district clerk or a deputy district clerk; and

(2)

be subscribed with a statement by a third party that the affidavit was read to the affiant before signing and that the affiant stated that it was his request to be permanently exempted from jury service in the county.

(h)

The name and address of a person exempted from jury service under this section shall be added to or deleted from the list or register at any time permitted by law and when the names and addresses of eligible jurors are regularly deleted or added to the list or register.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 24 (S.B. 85), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 861 (H.B. 3474), Sec. 8.023, eff. September 1, 2023.

Source: Section 62.109 — Exemption for Physical or Mental Impairment or Inability to Comprehend English, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.­62.­htm#62.­109 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

62.001
Jury Source
62.002
Jury Wheel Cards
62.003
Construction and Security of Jury Wheel
62.004
Drawing Names for Jury Lists
62.005
Observation of Drawing of Names
62.006
Certification of Jury Lists
62.007
Envelopes Containing Jury Lists
62.008
Envelopes Containing Jury Wheel Cards
62.009
Reuse of Jury Wheel Cards
62.010
Refilling or Replacement of Jury Wheel
62.011
Electronic or Mechanical Method of Selection
62.012
Use of Jury Lists
62.013
Summons for Jury Service by Clerk, Sheriff, or Constable
62.014
Summons for Jury Service by Clerks, Sheriffs, or Bailiffs
62.015
Selection of Jury Panel
62.016
Interchangeable Juries in Certain Counties
62.017
Interchangeable Jurors in Certain Other Counties
62.018
Quarters for General Panels
62.019
Bailiffs for General Panels
62.020
Alternate Jurors
62.021
Dismissal of Juror Removed from Panel
62.101
Jury Service
62.102
General Qualifications for Jury Service
62.103
Suspension of General Qualifications
62.104
Disqualification for Legal Blindness
62.105
Disqualification for Particular Jury
62.106
Exemption from Jury Service
62.107
Procedures for Establishing Exemptions
62.108
Permanent Exemption for Elderly
62.109
Exemption for Physical or Mental Impairment or Inability to Comprehend English
62.110
Judicial Excuse of Juror
62.0111
Computer or Telephone Response to Summons
62.111
Penalty for Defaulting Jurors
62.112
Excuse of Juror for Religious Holy Day
62.113
Compilation of List of Noncitizens
62.114
Compilation of List of Nonresidents
62.115
Compilation of List of Convicted Persons
62.0125
Summons for Jury Service on General Election Day Prohibited
62.0131
Form of Written Jury Summons
62.0132
Juror Questionnaire
62.0141
Failure to Answer Jury Summons
62.0142
Notice on Written Summons
62.0143
Postponement of Jury Service
62.0144
Postponement of Jury Service in Certain Counties
62.0145
Removal of Certain Persons from Pool of Prospective Jurors
62.0146
Updating Addresses of Certain Persons in Pool of Prospective Jurors
62.0147
Means of Postponement of Jury Service in Certain Counties
62.0175
Interchangeable Jurors in Counties with a Single District Court and a Single County Court at Law with Concurrent Jurisdiction
62.201
Number of Jurors
62.202
Meals During Jury Deliberation
62.301
Number of Jurors
62.302
Drawing Names for Jury Service in Certain County Courts
62.411
Justice Court Rules
62.412
Summoning Prospective Jurors Directly to Justice Court
62.501
Qualification
62.1031
Failure to Register to Vote
62.1041
Deaf or Hard of Hearing Juror

Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

§ 62.109’s source at texas​.gov