SMITH COUNTY (TXAN 24) -- Brenda Bamburg, a Smith County resident, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Smith County Courthouse, claiming she was wrongfully dismissed from jury duty due to her outspoken criticisms of local law enforcement and government officials. The lawsuit, filed on November 8, 2024, raises concerns about potential violations of her constitutional rights and alleges that her dismissal was retaliation for her vocal opposition to the Smith County District Attorney’s Office, Smith County Sheriff’s Department, and the Smith County Commissioners Court.
According to the complaint, Bamburg received a summons to serve jury duty on September 12, 2024, and was assigned jury pool number 161. After the initial round of jury selection, she was instructed to return to the courthouse at 1:30 pm for further proceedings. Upon her return, Bamburg was informed by Deputy Poe that she was being dismissed from the jury pool. Notably, Bamburg was the only potential juror to be dismissed at that time.
Bamburg believes her dismissal was not a coincidence, but rather a direct result of her vocal disagreement with local authorities. She has previously been outspoken about issues concerning the Smith County District Attorney’s Office and other local government entities.
The lawsuit alleges that this dismissal could be a violation of 18 U.S. Code § 1512, which addresses witness tampering, and extends to jurors, victims, and informants. Bamburg asserts that her dismissal may have been an act of retaliation due to her public stance.
In the complaint, Bamburg also references the landmark Batson v. Kentucky (1986) decision, which aimed to prevent racial discrimination in jury selection, and highlights ongoing concerns about bias in the jury selection process. She claims that her dismissal was not only unfair but may have been part of a broader effort to shape the jury pool in favor of one side in potential court cases, a practice that could be considered unlawful under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which provides civil action for deprivation of rights under the U.S. Constitution.
Bamburg's lawsuit has drawn attention to potential issues of bias, retaliation, and the integrity of jury selection processes in Smith County. She seeks accountability and a fair review of her dismissal, calling for justice to ensure that no one else is subjected to similar treatment for their political or personal beliefs.
As the legal proceedings move forward, Bamburg’s case will likely continue to spark discussions about the transparency and fairness of jury selection in Smith County, as well as the protections offered to individuals who challenge local authority figures.
The Smith County Courthouse has yet to comment publicly on the lawsuit.
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