HOUSTON — A prospective juror in a marijuana possession trial was hauled off to jail Tuesday after police said they caught her smoking a joint outside the courthouse.

KHOU-TV

Cornelia Mayo

Attornies in the case had narrowed the jury pool down to 20 people when they took a 45 minute break.

When the break was over, 49-year-old Cornelia Turner Mayo didn't return to Judge Sherman Ross' courtroom.

Turns out she was on a smoking break -- but what she was allegedly smoking was illegal.

"I've had prospective jurors get lost before, but it never occurred to me that they might be getting ready for a marijuana trial by, allegedly, smoking marijuana," Judge Ross told the Houston Chronicle.

Mayo was booked on a charge of possession of marijuana. She'll be arraigned next week in the courtroom across from Judge Ross.

Mayo was released from jail after posting bail.