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The Texas Constitution guarantees all people the right to a trial by an impartial jury. Justice depends on citizens devoting time to serve on a jury. To this end, Texas law prohibits employers from firing an employee because of the employee’s service on a jury.
In Texas, a private employer may not discharge a permanent employee because the person serves as a juror. If an employer does terminate a juror’s employment, the employee is entitled to reinstatement to his former position, monetary damages in an amount equal to one to five times the employee’s compensation, and reasonable attorney’s fees. Additionally, a court may punish by contempt an employer who terminates, threatens to terminate, penalizes or threatens to penalize an employee because the employee performs jury duty.
Employers may require proof that an employee’s absences are attributable to jury service, and courts will provide jurors with such verification. Employers are not required to pay employees while the employees serve on juries, however, many employers choose to do so.
To speak with an employment law attorney regarding jury service or any other employment law matter, contact the employment law attorneys at Clouse Dunn LLP at info@cdklawyers.com.
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