Bexar County jurors to appear by video conference
SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) – If you receive a jury summons, you won’t have to worry about going downtown and looking for a parking place. For the first time, Bexar County jurors will not have to appear in person because of COVID-19. However, all persons who are summoned must respond online and appear by video conference.
Approximately 200 jury summonses are scheduled to be mailed starting Friday and recipients must reply no later than Wednesday, August 12. The Official Jury Summons instructs potential jurors to visit www.bexar.org and answer a simple questionnaire to help determine who sits on the virtual jury panel.
The jury summonses include a phone number you may call for assistance, as well as video conference or “Zoom” instructions.
“As a first for Bexar County, these virtual juror summonses are essential to keep the wheels of Justice turning with the help of our community, which is needed now more than ever,” stated Judge Antonia “Toni” Arteaga.
Potential jurors will be able to sit in the comfort of their homes while also sitting on a jury panel with the user-friendly video conferencing software called Zoom. For those jurors who do not have Wi-Fi or an electronic device, BibilioTech, the county’s online digital library, will supply hot spots and wireless devices for those who need one while they serve.
There are exemptions from jury service for those who are full-time students and individuals who are 70 years or older.