WilCo Sending Jury Summonses Via Smart Phone Amid Coronavirus

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Williamson County has acquired software for more than $192,000 that will enable officials to reach out to residents for jury duty — a twist on a rite of passage of sorts that eliminates the need to gather potential jurors in a single room in light of the coronavirus, officials said Tuesday.

The Jury Manager software from Plano-based Tyler Technologies will serve as the county's new jury summons going forward, officials said in an advisory. The district clerk’s Office, the Williamson County IT Department, and representatives from Tyler Technologies have been configuring, implementing, and training ahead of the launch for the last six months, according to the advisory. The purchase of this software was made possible by federal CARES Act Funds.

In a response to queries from Patch, county spokesperson Connie Odom said the software was purchased through a cooperative agreement. "We usually get the best pricing when we buy through a coop because of volume buys and several offer rebates based on annual spend, Odom said. The cost to purchase the software was $192,361.00, the spokesperson said.

All told, the county received $93 million in CARES Act funds, of which $30.5 million remains, according to the spokesperson.

The software allows for the Williamson County District Clerk’s Office to send out the summons to a resident’s address via a 6- inches by 4.25- inches postcard, officials explained The postcard will have details on a two-step process for the individual to respond by the summons date, officials added.

Here's a county-provided breakdown on how it works:

• Step 1 requires that the person visit eResponse, a website that will allow them to submit their information electronically. The information gathered online will require a valid email address for the prospective juror. Jurors will be contacted with additional information regarding their jury service through the email address provided. For those that do not have access to a computer, there will be a phone number on the jury summons for assistance.
• Step 2 asks that all jurors check their reporting status via the same website. This system allows the juror to claim an exemption or disqualification through the portal. The clerk will then record the response electronically. If the juror is qualified and does not claim an exemption or disqualification, the clerk will notify the juror through their email where and when to report.

This new system will alleviate the need for multiple potential jurors to respond to their jury summons in person at the Justice Center, officials explained, and also will tell them in advance if they are excused from duty. The process will make notification of any cancellation more seamless, officials said. The clerk will notify the juror if the jury trial has been canceled in an email to the address provided on eResponse, and a summons will be sent at least five weeks prior to the reporting date.

For now, officials said, jury call is only for district and county courts at law until further notice. The Office of Court Administration has approved the jury plan for Williamson County, submitted by Judge Betsy Lambeth, local Administrative Judge and Judge Billy Ray Stubblefield, the regional presiding judge, officials said.