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New online jury system in effect

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jury dutyCOURTESY PHOTO Over 100 people arrived for jury duty at the Polk County Commerce Center Monday. While this is the second jury selected since jury trials have resumed following the pandemic, this was the first jury selected using the district clerk’s office’s new online jury system.

By Emily Banks Wooten

The Polk County District Clerk’s Office has begun using an online jury system, having recently partnered with Tyler Technologies Inc.

The jury selected Monday for a trial in the 411th Judicial District was the first one selected using the new online jury system.

“It went as well as I expected it to, considering we’d never done it live before,” Polk County District Clerk Bobbye Christopher said. “Out of everybody that we polled, everybody thought it went well and thought it was easy.

“The new jury summons has a different look and will arrive in an envelope from this office,” Christopher said.

The new jury summons will have a link to the jury e-response portal. You may also access the portal by going to the district clerk’s webpage at https://www.co.polk.tx.us/page/polk.District.Clerk

“We urge everyone to use the online system to answer the juror questionnaire, request an exemption or report a disqualification,” Christopher said. “Summoned jurors will be able to enroll their email or cell phone to receive messages concerning their service, such as court assignments, cancellations, etc.”

For those without Internet service, an automated phone line is available for people to call and enroll over the phone. The number is 844-927-2687.

The local district courts have gradually reopened following over a year without trials due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Monday’s was the second jury selection undertaken but the first with the new online jury system. It’s being held at the commerce center in order to comply with social distancing guidelines.

Although Governor Greg Abbott recently issued an executive order lifting the mask mandate in Texas and increasing capacity of all businesses and facilities in the state to 100 percent, the courts are under an order imposed by the Texas Supreme Court.

“The order expires June 1 so we’re waiting on direction from the OCA (Office of Court Administration),” Christopher said.

“It was more difficult on my staff being offsite,” she said.

Tagged under News polk county court jury
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