I visited this location with my father to inquire about jury duty, and our experience was extremely disappointing. The staff member at the front desk was dismissive and unprofessional. When we asked a legitimate question about having jury duty permanently excused, she responded in a condescending and inappropriate manner, telling my father that he could always learn English. I regret that I didn't get her name, but for reference, she appeared bilingual, had straight brown hair, and had AirPods in her ears. This behavior was rude, disrespectful, and entirely unacceptable. I hope management addresses this situation so that every visitor is treated with the professionalism and courtesy they deserve. read more

Easiest jury duty. I was assigned a Friday 10:30am duty. Within an hour we were all let go because the case settled. After getting our parking validated we were free to leave. They also changed juror pay to $30 the first day and $58 each additional day if selected. read more

I don't want to be called for jury duty again, because it is freezing cold in the whole building. I practically got sick, spending 7 hours there. read more

Being in a jury duty is a drag. I hate to get up early and have my day started with something I don't feel like doing. Bummer. It's the law. I came to fulfill my requirement. The appointment is at 8 am. I arrived at the parking garage at 1401 Congress Street around 7:30 am. Then, took elevator to the basement for tunnel to get to the jury assembly building at 1001 Preston Street. This building is on the basement level. From the street, it looks like a dome in the middle of a park. When I arrived to check in, there were few helpful staff helping jurors to check in at the kiosks. After I sat at the juror room, I heard a lady in the lobby yelling at the jurors, "you should had registered at home before coming..." oh gee. I have been to this building about 8 years ago. The process is the same. Except, I was among few others wearing masks and sitting a seat apart from others. We were at the assembly building for about 2 hours before we were separated by initial selection. My group cheered as the employee posted the case type on the PowerPoint "CRIM" for criminal case. A friendly police officer who took us through the tunnel to a secret hallway to take the elevator at Appeal Court Building at 301 Fannin Street. Judge spent about 45 minutes talking to us during voir dire in court. It was like a reality show at a Law and Order SVU set. It was interesting and boring at the same time. Then, both lawyers from plaintiff and defendant did their song and dance in front of us. Took them over 20 minutes to pick 12 people from 60-some of us. I was juror number 54. The last person that they called to be in the panel was number 36. Phew... they wouldn't want me to be on the panel anyway. Can you tell I'm opinionated from this review? I think I was not selected to be on the 12-juror panel, simply because I didn't agree with a couple of laws described by the prosecutor and the judge. I voiced my opinions, of course. The guy was not guilty because they didn't have police report and psychiatric evaluation on the defendant. This was a strangling case during the height of Covid. We were released around 11:40. My stomach was growling like a mad tiger. Upon leaving the courtroom, majority of people went to the elevators where we got up to this 18th floor. But it required badge to call the elevator. There was no floor number as where the elevator's position. I waited like an idiot for about 10 minutes. Then, I started to look for exit stairwell. There was none. Finally, I walked to the other set of elevators and patiently waited. Finally, it came and I was set free from the crowd. Will I be happy to serve again? Yeah. I would be glad to help with the justice system. I will always bring my lunch box with food and water (it served as a seat), just in case I get stuck in the crowd with nowhere to go. read more

See all

I answered my jury summons yesterday and as usual, found the experience both stressful but satisfying. I can think of no greater responsibility but to participate in the process to ensure that people that look like yourself are represented on the jury. Of course an 8 AM meeting in downtown Houston is never gonna be smooth and it's never gonna be without his challenges. But once inside, I found the process extremely digitized and well thought out. Once you get through security check and then you proceed to the assembly room where a series of speeches and videos keep you very informed of the process. One thing that surprised me the fact that jurors are now being paid $30 a day on the first day and $38 a day each day afterwards, after that free juror parking and at least from a financial standpoint it's not too bad. read more

See all

Improving my rating for several reasons: Yes, for the second time in less than 12 months, I received a jury summons. Gritted my teeth . . . but resigned myself to the fact that I had no valid excuse not to appear. A few tips I learned this time around: 1. Register online when you receive your summons (instructions are provided in the mailing). This will allow you to declare an exemption or to give information about yourself prior to your scheduled time to appear. **Make sure to provide your phone number and email, as important updates and reminders will be sent** 2. If you take the Metro Park & Ride (as I do), it's still a free trip. I use the Kuykendahl P&R (Route 202) which gets you downtown within 20 minutes. And, hallelujah!! Metro has reinstated Route 209, which will bring you back to the P&R from downtown without going through the Greenspoint interchange. Route 209 runs outbound back to the P&R every hour, beginning at 9 AM. If you are released early, now you've got a direct route back. 3. Jury duty, according to a new state law that went into effect on September 1, earns each potential juror $20 now instead of the paltry $6 that had been given. Which leads to . . . I received a text message and an email at 6 PM prior to my day of service informing me that I was not needed, my jury service had been cancelled and I was released. This is why it's so important to provide contact info when you register - I never would have known I didn't have to appear if I had not provided my contact information. One also wonders if the mandatory $20 compensation is a factor in this, for releasing 100 jurors without serving (or even being empaneled to a potential jury) can get pretty expensive for the county. Do the math - that's a chunk of change to have people spend a portion of their day reading or playing on their cell phones (which is what happened to me last year). Perhaps the county is moving into the 21st Century - finally! read more

Welp! They finally got me. I have been reeled into being served, and not the good dance off kind, but the sit for unknown hours until your fate is decided by your ideological beliefs kind. Here is what was good: 1) The process was seamless. 2) The lines moved quickly. 3) The facility itself was clean. 4) The staff was decent in terms of customer service. 5) Parking was validated 6) The pay is now $30/day for being summoned and $58/ for being selected vs. the old school flat $7. Guess I'll see if I am picked...fingers uncrossed read more

I hate this process every time I have to come here. It seems like I have been called 4-5 times in the last 14 years since I lived here. There are millions of people that live in the Houston area and they should get heir turns also. First, if you drive you have to find some where to park. If you have an early shift, which I didn't, you can park in their garage and the comp your tickets. If you are not hat lucky you are hat the mercy of the nearby paring lots which I was charged $15. They should make some arrangement with those lots. The amount they pay you doesn't even cover the cost of parking. They say its your civic duty but it ends up costing you in the end. read more

If it wasn't for David W. and Kimberly L., reviews, I would have been completely lost on my visit to jury service. Now, I live in Houston, but its incorporated meaning its not within city limits, so when I get a ticket in the mail saying that I need to serve. I am a little shocked, so at first I called to make sure they got it right and they said yes. OK, now that's done. This place is located in downtown Houston a forbidden place I used to avoid especially when driving because I used to get so confused that it was stressful for me to drive. So what do I do? The best thing available, I caught the park and ride Metro bus. If it wasn't for that bus, I don't think I could go because parking was very expensive. The best thing about riding the bus is that it is FREE with your jury pass. Anyways, upon walking in, I was confused on where to go, thank goodness the people who work here was super nice and personable. They were awesome with directing me where to go. I honestly thought they were going to be rude like at the DPS place, but I was wrong. I noticed how a lot of American citizens were negative and acting strange because they didn't wanna be here, but I was glad to serve because I know it is my American right. The place was clean even the ladies restroom was too. They had seat covers too. Thank goodness!! When you get into the right group with your last names, they put you into this big auditorium and choose. It was interesting that the guy I was sitting next to in the auditorium was in my group and we served together. The trip to the courtroom was long. I literally thought I was in that movie, "Willy Wonka" the 1970 version when they walk and how the walls are plain and squeezing in, it was so strange. I had to look down when walking. Yeah, those tunnels were weird. They should really put some color in them like some pictures. Overall, good place. read more

Harris County Jury Assembly - Birdeye view of the all glass building - Courthouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

Not a bad way to spend your day performing your civic duty. Here's a few tips to make your day or daze a bit nicer. Jacket, temperatures very from assembly room, tunnels, court room. Pack provision - snacks, water. We did not get a lunch break, dismissed after 3pm. Growler! Something to read. Turn off phone, save your power. Parking? If you can find the Jury Parking they will give you a discount pass. Bus Park & Ride will also give you a free return pass with your summons. Me? I paid $20 for the most convenient, easy to find lot within site of the assembly building. Over all the bailiffs, clerks, lawyers and the Judge were pleasent, seemingly happy folk. read more

Harris County Jury Assembly - Courthouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

New but they only have 2 toilet stalls and 4 urinals in the men's room for about a thousand people (there are 4 jury assembly rooms that each seat 250 people). If you're regular make sure to take care of business before arriving because there's a line. 5 Vending machines that take credit cards and a very small cafe that serves breakfast tacos and has a slogan that's a rip off from Hard Rock Cafe (even the government infringes shamelessly! I did not partake but microwaveable corn dogs are 99 cents. Must go through screening that includes belts and shoes off. For those of you who take the bus, although it says one-way trip is free you can ask the clerk for a return pass. I'll post the cafe menu and vending machine so you can see selections. Microwave on site as well as change machine. Oh and free wi-Fi. Good signal. read more

See all

OK, how can you be a fan of jury duty, right? Well, when they make it pretty dang easy and painless, it's not too hard! I got my jury summons and was a little bummed as I hate to drive into downtown Houston during rush hour, but it's jury duty and it's my right and responsibility as a citizen. And yes, I truly believe that! They do make it somewhat easy to get there, with discounted bus passes, but hubby offered to take me, so hello chauffeur! Plus, I hate to admit but I've never ridden a city bus in my life. Gonna do it next time though...it looks easy! Anyway, when they say leave early, DO IT! We left a little later than I wanted, and got there about 7:30; the assembly room opens at 7:00, and the security lines are long, and they get longer the later it gets. There were people in line until almost 9 am! It's almost like airport security now, as you have to take off your shoes and belts. But you can take drinks and snacks, so that's cool. Got through the line and there's four rooms; you are assigned to a room by your juror number. Then you wait. And wait. They do have free w-fi and it seemed fast but not many outlets so make sure you have a full charge. There's also clean bathrooms, a snack area that serves munchies and drinks, and also vending machines. I got a Diet Coke for $1.50 although I had water with me. But I wanted cold caffeine. The chairs aren't real comfy, but they have a little folding table to use which is kinda nice. But, you have to move it if anyone wants by, and the aisles aren't real wide. It was nice getting there early enough that I could choose my seat, and having time for a bathroom break and my soda. All in all, it's not bad. I was dismissed around 10:00 am, but I had a high juror number, so I was hoping how that worked. The people were friendly and I got a chance to catch up on my book I was reading, so it wasn't bad at all! Great job Harris County for making it pretty painless and easy to be a juror, even if you're dismissed! read more

This facility was new since the last time I served duty. I started at the wrong courthouse, see the photo here of the glass walled structure THAT'S where you want to enter. I had to figure out the tunnel system. My courthouse might have been a shorter security line (just like the airport, note that you CAN bring in drinks). Upon arrival and through security, by number you'll be directed to one of the four holding rooms. Comfortable chairs with small folding desks on each one. The only part uncomfortable is the closeness of the rows is like a tight theater getting in and out of the rows. At first it was almost full, there were empty seats but some people chose to stand instead of climb in among the remaining seats. I'll admit, I didn't leave my seat until folks started getting called out for service for fear I'd have limited choices to sit and/or climb over a bunch of people. Of course, there will be lots of waiting while they take your juror information and everyone arrives. The rooms make it easy to watch some introductory videos and be sworn in quickly. After that, more waiting. Slowly they call groups of numbers and off you go to a panel for voir dire. While you wait, there is FREE WIFI. Which was great to watch some streaming video with headphones. Or like most people, you can fiddle with your smart phone or tablet, keep up with work, whatever you need to do. In my case, by about 10:45a several groups of numbers had been called, but not mine. They began to hint that we may not be needed and had us pick up bus passes and we briefly moved to another room (seemingly because they didn't need all four anymore). Moments later, the remaining people were dismissed at 11a. Another group of jurors at noon were coming in I think. I took the opportunity to Yelp some nearby restaurants I wanted to try and went to HubCap Grill nearby for lunch. I figured my bus trip back out of town was about an hour and I was hungry. Maybe slightly larger rooms, ability to have cups for tap water, and some more clear signage / instructions might have been helpful. I was a little unclear on "what would happen next" while I just sat there. But all in all, not a bad experience. It could be a lot worse! read more

Much better than the previous Jury Assembly room. Much larger and I didn't feel nearly as claustrophobic. There are now 3 jury rooms within the building and you are separated by number into 4 different rooms when first arriving. The seating is comfortable enough that one guy kept falling asleep and was snoring very loudly. The snack shop is still crap with the worker not really giving 2 mouse turds over whether they serve you or not. I was greeted with an eye roll and a sneer while she tried to pry apart raisins for fruit bowls with her bare fingers. There are plenty of machines, but if you don't have cash they may not work. Also, the card readers are duct taped on which doesn't exactly inspire confidence. You need a $6 purchase to use a card with sneering raising-woman. I would bring cash and get a snack for if you are chosen for panel since there are not a lot of food options nearby. That and if you leave the building you have to go through security again. If you park in the garage listed on your summons (1401), there are kiosks in the building so you can pay for your parking in advance. Just wait until the clerk in your room gives you a parking voucher to pay. Also, they say that you can pay in the assembly room until 4:30 pm, but when i tried to go back and pay during a break, the doors were locked from the tunnel entrance. They no longer ask you to keep your cell phones turned off, probably because they know it's just not going to happen. You can wander around the building itself if you want to stretch - plenty more room than in the previous assembly room. So while I would not call myself a "fan" of jury duty or a jury assembly room, this is much better than what we had to deal with before. read more

Jury service isn't that bad, everyone! There are a lot worse places to have to hang out for a day. This location is not the current one for jury service, as the jury assembly building was damaged by flooding and is (I think) being rebuilt. But the temporary location isn't so bad. There's a snack bar where you can get something while you wait, and usually you're called pretty quickly. If you have any questions, they'll help you, and if you're able to get a break for lunch there are plenty of places in walking distance to check out. Not a terrible way to spend the day! read more