Recently mailed Bexar County jury summonses include changes

Initial response from jurors will be done virtually

SAN ANTONIO – Bexar County officials began mailing jury summonses to area residents one week ago -- the first time they’ve been sent since a moratorium on jury service was ordered in March 2020 amid coronavirus concerns.

Though the summonses include a date that recipients need to report to the courthouse, that doesn’t mean they go in person.

“When they report, they may do it online through Zoom, through virtual means,” Local Administrative Judge Ron Rangel said Thursday. “There is going to be a link for them to click on and log in.”

After completing a questionnaire and asking questions they may have about jury service, including concerns about COVID-19, they will be given a date to report to the courthouse in person.

“The days of a large gathering of prospective jurors in the central jury room are a thing of the past,” Rangel says.

“When a juror finally reports to the courthouse for jury service, they’re going to go to a specific room where that jury service will be,” he continued.

The judge says all COVID-19 protocols will remain in place, with the public’s safety being top of mind.

“If things proceed the way we believe it’s going to proceed, then we’ll slowly start to ramp things up,” Rangel said.

RELATED: In-person jury trials in Bexar County to resume in June


About the Authors:

Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role.

Sal Salazar is a photojournalist at KSAT 12. Before coming to KSAT in 1998, he worked at the Fox affiliate in San Antonio. Sal started off his career back in 1995 for the ABC Affiliate in Lubbock and has covered many high-profile news events since. In his free time, he enjoys spending time at home, gaming and loves traveling with his wife.