Amarillo’s Jury Duty Experience Just Changed in Potter County — Here’s How

That trip to the mailbox in Amarillo can sometimes mean more expenses. You might get lucky and instead of a bill receive a refund for something you overpaid. That doesn't seem to happen as often, but it does happen.

The Surprise in the Mail

Then, if you are like me, you end up sometimes receiving something in the mail that you have grown to expect. I'm talking about that jury summons. It starts off with a clue that it will be happening when you receive a postcard.

Two Summons, One Week

At least in Potter County, it does. That postcard lets you know that you need to fill out a questionnaire, but that summons is not far behind. I got lucky this year, and not only did I get a summons from Potter County, but they love me. For the first time ever, I also received one from the Amarillo Municipal Court.

I had to reach out to the Municipal Courts to see if I could reschedule because they wanted me on a day that I was off work, watching my granddaughter. So they put me back on the schedule for this upcoming September. I have never been called by them so I wonder how that will go.

I was supposed to go report for jury duty for Potter County at the beginning of the week. So on Friday, I prepared for possibly being out of the office. I knew that this was going to be different from previous summons.

A New Courthouse, A Parking Problem

Potter County has a brand new building, and they have already torn down the one I was used to reporting to. This was going to be interesting because that torn-down building is going to be parking in the future, so right now, the parking situation for jury duty is limited in downtown Amarillo.

It took an entire 8.5 x 11-inch sheet of paper to show where parking is available. I was looking forward to reporting to check out the new building. I was not looking forward to finding available places to park.

Read More: Congrats Potter County You Got Me Again for Jury Duty |

It's interesting that there is paid parking in the area, but no mention of being validated if you park there. That seems like it could help if jurors are in a pinch for parking. It does say non-refundable, I guess you can use your six-dollar pay if you report to pay for parking.

I did what any potential jury does the evening before you are supposed to report. I went online to check. I was a little late in doing so since it was a Friday and I was wrapped up in other things. When I got online, I saw that I was excused from jury duty.

Excused — For Now

I was happy that it was not going to disrupt my week, but a little disappointed not to check out the new building. But since we also live in the day of technology, they also sent me an email to make sure I knew I was not needed on Monday.

I know that in another six months or so, I will go through this process again. I am sure I will get to check out the new courthouse soon enough. I just hope the parking situation is a lot better.