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Leon Valley council told judge can fine no-shows for jury duty; staff recommends education campaign
Summary
Councilors were advised that Texas law (Gov't Code §62.111) allows a judge to assess fines for failure to appear for jury duty and that the council should avoid directing judicial action. The council agreed education (lion's roar, PEG) is an appropriate first step and to let the court or court administrator lead communications about fines.
Council discussed several recent jury summons no-shows after Judge Morales expressed concern to the mayor. City Attorney Art and staff advised the council that assessing fines for failure to appear is a judicial function under Texas law and that Government Code §62.111 authorizes fines between $100 and $500 for failing to appear or falsely claiming an exemption.
City Attorney Art and staff warned against the council endorsing or directing the judge to impose fines, citing separation-of-powers concerns. Instead, staff recommended a public-education approach reminding residents of civic duty and of potential consequences; the manager and staff said the city may publish notice in the city newsletter (Lion’s Roar) and on PEG channels and that the court administrator or judge would be the preferable originator of communications about fines.
Councilors agreed that education is the appropriate first step. Art said the council may publish the factual range of penalties that the Texas statute allows but urged the council to avoid language that could be read as directing or endorsing judicial action.
Next steps: staff will draft educational content for the newsletter and PEG channel, and staff will provide statutory language (penalty ranges) to the mayor and council for use in public notices; the council will not take legislative action on fines.
