Marilyn Burgess, Harris County District Clerk on jury diversity & her Stand For Justice Campaign

Marilyn Burgess assumed the office of Harris County District Clerk recently. She immediately saw a problem. The jury pool did not reflect the county.

Marilyn Burgess discusses her Justice Campaign

Marilyn Burgess is the Texas Harris County District Clerk. She is a CPA and former Chief Financial Officer for a local company. She was also executive director of the PTA.  It is there that Ms. Burgess confirmed her calling as an advocate for causes that improve the lives of working and middle-class families, single mothers, and teachers. She subsequently served in other executive positions in various organizations.

Ms. Burgess is using her expertise and her position as the Harris County District Clerk to bring fairness to the jury system by enhancing awareness and more. Recently Burgess sent out a press release that said the following.

Houston (TX) June 8, 2021 – Jury service conditions in Harris County are improving significantly under the leadership of District Clerk Marilyn Burgess, as Commissioners Court passed Tuesday a proposal that will provide coffee, meal vouchers, and free parking to jurors. District Clerk Burgess is confident these measures will make the jury service experience more enjoyable, fulfilling one her administration’s principal goals.

“This is the beginning of a new era for Harris County jurors. While jury service is certainly a civic responsibility, it shouldn’t be burdensome,” said District Clerk Burgess.

Burgess details all that she is doing to ensure everyone in the county has equaL access to the jury box. While this is just a start, she intends to go back to Commissioners Court as needed as she is intentional in diversifying the jury pool.