INFORMATION: Do You Want to Serve on a Grand Jury After the Recent Non-Indictments In Ferguson and Staten Island?

Do You Want to Serve on a Grand Jury After the Recent Non-Indictments In Ferguson, Missouri and Staten Island, New York?

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By Aubrey R. Taylor 

Publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine

I recently received an email from community activist Charles X White discussing how citizens in Harris County can become a part of the grand jury process. Below are a few facts related to: who can serve on a grand jury; what a grand jury is; how a grand jury is selected; when and where a grand jury meets and much more helpful information.

After the 2014 deaths of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner, an unarmed black male who died after being placed in a choke hold by a white police officer in Staten Island, New York, the grand jury process in America has come under fire. So I thought the information below would help concerned Harris County citizens who would like to make a difference by serving on a grand jury. Here goes:

What is a Grand Jury?

A grand jury consists of twelve people whose job is to review criminal complaints and decide if there is sufficient evidence to issue an indictment. The standard of proof for an indictment is probable cause.

Who can serve on a Grand Jury?

A person can serve on a grand jury in Harris County if he:

is a citizen of Harris County, Texas, and qualified to vote in Harris County;

 is of sound mind and good moral character;

 is able to read and write;

 has never have been convicted of any felony;

 is not under indictment or other legal accusation for theft or any felony;

 is not on probation for theft or any felony;

 has not served as a grand juror or grand jury commissioner in the last year;

 is not related to any person selected to serve or serving on the same grand jury;

 is not a complainant in any matter to be heard by the grand jury during the term of court for which he has been selected as a grand juror.

How is a grand jury selected?

The court selects 3 to 5 grand jury commissioners. These commissioners are charged with compiling a list of not less than 15 nor more than 40 persons to be summoned as grand jurors. From this list, the court impanels twelve (12) grand jurors and two (2) alternate grand jurors to serve.

The law requires the commissioners to select grand jurors who “represent a broad cross section of the population of the county, considering the factors of race, sex and age.”

This means that if, even if the court summons you, you may or may not be selected to serve. If you are not selected, this is not a reflection on you, but rather the court’s attempt to comply with the requirements of the law.

Why would I want to serve on a Grand Jury?

Only a small percentage of citizens are privileged to serve on a grand jury. Those who take advantage of this unusual opportunity enjoy having a close up view of the criminal justice system and participating in the process. Serving on a grand jury provides a unique education about our criminal justice system.

Grand jurors meet new and interesting people and often form lasting bonds with fellow grand jurors. We always receive letters from former grand jurors stating what a rewarding experience they had and how much they will miss their fellow grand jurors. 

Grand jurors are also offered the opportunity to ride with a patrol officer from the Harris County Sheriff's Department and take a tour of the county morgue.

When and where does the Grand Jury meet?

Ten new grand juries are empanelled for each of the January and July Terms, with five serving at one time in three-month intervals. Each grand jury meets for two scheduled days a week at 1201 Franklin, 3rd Floor, Houston, Texas 77002. The grand jury's workday can last as long as a regular work day, but is often shorter. 

Will I be paid for Grand Jury Service?

Grand Jurors are paid $6.00 for the first session and $28.00 for each subsequent session in the grand jury term. 

How can I serve on a Grand Jury?

To be considered for the next grand jury, you must fill out the grand juror application, have it notarized, and mail it in to the Administrative Office of the District Courts, 1201 Franklin, 7th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002. If you do not truthfully answer the questions on your application, you could be prosecuted for criminal offenses.

Turning in the application means that you are making a commitment to serve as a grand juror, not merely exploring the possibility. Do not send in the application unless you can commit the time and effort required of a grand juror.

(CLICK HERE TO GET INVOLVED)

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"I would like to take this moment to encourage Harris County citizens to seriously consider becoming a grand juror." -- Aubrey

As President and CEO of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, I would also like to encourage you to support the people, small business, organizations, corporations and ministries who support our mission and vision to uplift, inspire, inform, and empower others as we climb.

Best regards,

Aubrey R. Taylor
Publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
P: (832)212-8735
C: (832)894-1352
EMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com
BLOG: www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com

**** Please do not forget that your support can enable us to reach more people with our message of encouragement, hope, inspiration, and empowerment. So email me your request for a hard-copy of our “2014 Year-End Review” edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine today at: (aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com). And don’t forget that our ad prices start at a very low $40.00 dollars per issue. WE CAN ACHIEVE OUR INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE GOALS AND DREAMS BY FINDING CREATIVE WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER!!!

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PEOPLE FEATURED ON THE COVER: Businessman Craig Joseph (owner of Houston's This Is It Soul Food). FBISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre, TSU Program Director Dr. Michael O. Adams (Director of the eMPA and MPA programs at Texas Southern University), Judge Loyd Wright (District Probate Judge for Court #1 in Harris County), Businessman Bill Frazer (2015 Candidate for Controller of Houston), Controller Ronald C. Green (City of Houston Controller), Mayor Allen Owen (the mayor of Missouri City), Judge Christine Riddle Butts (District Probate Judge for Court #4 in Harris County), Grayle James (the FBISD President of the Board of Trustees), and Educator/Attorney Carroll G. Robinson (2015 Candidate for Controller of Houston). Email your request to (aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com) if you would like to have a copy of our "2014 Year-End Review" edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine mailed directly to your home or business.

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About Carroll G. Robinson

Carroll G. Robinson is an Associate Professor and a former Associate Dean of External Affairs at the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Texas. Professor Robinson is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System (HCC) and a Citizen Member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund. He is a former member of the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors of K9s4COPs. He is also a past chairman of the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce.

Professor Robinson is a former At-Large (elected citywide) member of the Houston (Texas) City Council. As a member of the City Council, Professor Robinson chaired the city’s Transportation, Technology and Infrastructure Committee. 

Professor Robinson represented the City of Houston on the Board of Directors of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the local council of regional governments. He served as a member of the Board’s Budget Committee and was a Vice Chair of the Transportation Policy Council. He also represented the City of Houston on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for I-69 Texas and TEX-21, a statewide transportation coalition of elected officials, business leaders and transportation and infrastructure professionals.

Professor Robinson is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities where he served as a member of the Board’s Finance Committee and was a member of the Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Steering Committee. He is a former member of the Texas Municipal League’s Utilities and Environment Committee, and Transportation Task Force; Advisory Board of the Texas Environmental Defense Fund; a past President of the Texas Association of Black City Council Members where he was also a member of the Housing Committee; a former member of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO); a former member of the Texas Attorney General’s Municipal Advisory Committee (1998); Founding Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council’s Local Elected Officials Network; a former Chairman of the National League of Cities Democratic Municipal Officials; a former member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC); and a former General Counsel of the Texas Democratic Party. 

Prior to his election to the Houston City Council, Professor Robinson was an Associate Professor at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. He has also worked as an adjunct Professor at South Texas College of Law. 

Professor Robinson has worked in the Texas Legislature as Chief of Staff and General Counsel to Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis. He received his Bachelor of Arts (with Honors) in Political Science from Richard Stockton State College in Pomona, New Jersey (where he received a Certificate of Academic Accomplishment in African-American Studies) and his Juris Doctorate from the National Law Center at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. 

Professor Robinson is a Life Member of the NAACP and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He is the author or co-author of numerous legal and public policy articles and commentaries. Robinson plans to put his vast experience and know-how to work for the people of Houston should voters choose him as the best candidate in the race for City of Houston Controller on the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election ballot.

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OPINIONS: George W. Bush, former President of the U.S. calls Grand Jury’s decision not to Indict Officer Pantaleo ‘hard to understand”

George W. Bush

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OPINIONS: George W. Bush, former President of the United States calls Grand Jury’s decision not to Indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo "hard to understand"

By Aubrey R. Taylor

Publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine

A lot of times, our calling in life is connected to the things we're most passionate about. But be reminded today that passion unchecked can lead us down the wrong path. We each have a calling! So don’t ever forget the fact that your calling may not involve you going out to protest injustices by marching, or throwing your body down in the middle of a busy freeway. Nope. God may be calling you to use your wisdom, resources, intellect, gifts, talents, and education to mobilize people in a different way. Maybe you should think about tackling economic and racial injustice you believe to exist in America by organizing people to vote. Or maybe you should seriously consider starting a business. Or perhaps the way you are going to make a difference in America is by becoming a legislator, judge, attorney, governor, mayor, city council member, senator, congressman, or community activist. 

You know, you could very well be the person whom God has called to usher in the change you're waiting for someone else to deliver to you!

There are times in life when you should get angry. But what you do in those times is extremely important. The deaths of Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri (two young black males) at the hands of those sworn to protect us has open a much needed dialogue about race in America.

And as I have said before, I believe we can gain victory over half the battles we’re facing in America today by simply making sure that we’re doing our part to put people of God who have a heart for us into positions of authority on a local, state and federal level.

Again, my call is for us to do everything we can to put Godly people with a heart for us into positions of authority. There’s a passage of scripture I once read in the book of Proverbs 29:2 that states: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” 

Here’s what former President George W. Bush told CNN reporter Candy Crowley recently about the grand jury’s decision in Eric Garner’s death:

"You know, the verdict was hard to understand…But I hadn't seen all the details -- but it's sad that race continues to play such an emotional, divisive part of life."

Bush went on to tell Crowley that he believed the United States has improved since the 1970s, when he was young, as he openly shared his memories about race riots with American cities being burned.

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Click here if you would like to learn more about former President of the United States George W Bush.

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To discuss advertising inside Houston Business Connections Magazine call (832)212-8735. If you need to speak directly with Aubrey R. Taylor call (832)894-1352. *The individuals featured on this page are not connected or associated with one another in anyway unless noted. Houston Business Connections Magazine is published by Aubrey R. Taylor Communications. All rights reserved. 

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OPINION: Diddy Says He Can’t Take it Anymore in Response to Officer Daniel Pantaleo Not Being Indicted in the Case Involving Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York

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OPINION: Diddy Says He Can’t Take it Anymore in Response to Officer Pantaleo Not Being Indicted in the Case Involving Eric Garner

By Aubrey R. Taylor

Publisher of Houston Business Connection Magazine

As president and CEO of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, and publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine, I applaud Sean “Diddy” Combs for declaring that He’s going to do what it takes to be part of the solution we desperately need in America. I keep stressing that we must become active participants in the process of electing people into office who love God and have a heart for us. And I believe, that real lasting change will only come via economic, political, social, and community organization and mobilization. Marching and protesting before the news cameras will only get us so far in this nation. These demonstrations must be married to proactive (rather than reactive) measures that will foster the lasting change we seek.

A short time after the grand jury’s decision to not indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo for the chokehold he placed on Eric Garner, the following declaration was made by Sean “Diddy” Combs via his Instagram account:

#WATCH .......I can't take it anymore! It's Enough, and enough is enough! Honestly my emotions are all over the place. We as artists, myself included, all have to step up and be better leaders in our communities. It's a hard burden to bear, but we have been chosen whether we like it or not. We need to do whatever we can in a POSITIVE way, to help unite people of all colors in this injustice! In order to be successful, it is very important that we have a well ORGANIZED, STRATEGIC plan. This is super important in order for us to make change!! REAL organization, REAL strategy and a TRUE commitment to not forget and move on like we usually do when the news stops reporting. This has to stop and we as a people are the only ones that can stop it. I truly do not have the right to preach, but I do have the right to speak. #EricGarner #MikeBrown #UNITE

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Click here if you would like to connect with Sean “Diddy” Combs via Instagram

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To discuss advertising inside Houston Business Connections Magazine call (832)212-8735. If you need to speak directly with Aubrey R. Taylor call (832)894-1352. *The individuals featured on this page are not connected or associated with one another in anyway unless noted. Houston Business Connections Magazine is published by Aubrey R. Taylor Communications. All rights reserved. 

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