What's happening
This bill allows individuals convicted of felonies to serve on juries once they have completed their full sentence, including supervision.
Why it matters
Restores civic participation and reintegration. By allowing people with felony convictions to serve on juries after completing their full sentences (including probation and supervision), the bill promotes their return to full civic life, which can aid in rehabilitation and reduce stigma.
Expands the jury pool for more representative juries. The change increases the diversity and size of the potential jury pool, making it more likely that juries reflect the communities they serve and potentially improving trust in the justice system.
Addresses lifelong penalties for completed sentences. This bill removes a form of “collateral consequence” that persists even after all criminal justice obligations are fulfilled, signaling a shift toward policies that focus on rehabilitation rather than perpetual punishment.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Felons Serve Jury Duty
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to judiciary
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to judiciary
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 36–25
- Amended on third reading 221a
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.57
- 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 on Juries
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Jeffrion Aubry
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
221--A Cal. No. 57
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sens. BENJAMIN, MONTGOMERY, MYRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
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.
LBD01767-02-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
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
Purpose
To remove the lifetime ban on jury duty for convicted felons who have completed their sentence.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 states that subdivision 3 of section 510 of the Judiciary law shall be amended to change a qualification for jury duty, namely chang- ing it from a prohibiting convicted felons from serving to allow that if someone has been convicted of a felony, that if that person has completed any sentencing, including parole and probation, that person may serve on a jury.
Section 2 provides immediate effect.
Existing law
Currently, if someone is convicted of a felony, that person is banned for life from serving on a jury duty.
Justification
If a person has completed the sentence for a felony, that person should be considered rehabilitated and given the opportunity to the full rights of citizenship, including the right to serve on a jury.
Legislative history
2017-18: S.9194
Fiscal implications
None
Local fiscal implications
None
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.