What's happening
This bill allows convicted felons who have completed their sentence, including probation or supervision, to serve on juries.
Why it matters
Expands civic participation. By allowing people with felony convictions who have fully completed their sentences, including probation or supervision, to serve on juries, the bill recognizes their reintegration into society and restores a fundamental civic duty.
Addresses equity and representation. This change could lead to more diverse juries that better reflect the broader community, especially in areas disproportionately affected by the criminal justice system, potentially improving fairness in trials.
Signals a shift in criminal justice policy. Removing the lifetime jury ban for felons is part of a broader trend towards reducing collateral consequences of convictions and supporting successful reentry, which may help reduce stigmatization and promote rehabilitation.
May affect trial outcomes. With a larger and more varied jury pool, the perspectives and life experiences brought to jury deliberations could influence how cases—particularly those involving law enforcement or criminal justice issues—are judged.
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Who cares
People with felony convictions
The bill would remove the lifetime bar to jury service once they complete their sentence, including any probation or community supervision.
Court administrators and jury commissioners
They would apply a revised juror qualification based on sentence completion rather than disqualifying everyone with a felony conviction.
Criminal justice reform advocates
The bill would restore eligibility for jury service to people with felony convictions who have completed their sentences.
Headline styles
Let Felons Serve on Juries
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Ordered to third reading cal.182
- Advanced to third reading cal.159
- Reported
- Print number 4760a
- Amend and recommit to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Let Felons Serve Jury Duty
In Senate Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Brian Benjamin
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4760--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 5, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. AUBRY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Judiciary -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the judiciary law, in relation to removing the lifetime ban on jury duty for convicted felons who have completed their sentencing
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 510 of the judiciary law, as amended by chapter 86 of the laws of 1995, is amended to read as follows:
3. [Not have been] If convicted of a felony, have completed any sentencing related to such conviction, including any period of probation or community supervision.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01767-03-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.