ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 977

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  December 4, 2023

      The Assembly Judiciary Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 977.

     This bill would permit persons with past convictions of indictable offenses to serve on juries under certain circumstances.  Under current law, these convictions, whether based on violations of New Jersey law, another state’s law, or federal law, are automatic disqualifiers for jury service. 

     As introduced, the bill would have completely eliminated this disqualifier.  As amended by the committee, a person would still be automatically disqualified for jury service if:

     (1) the person was ever convicted of murder or aggravated sexual assault; or

     (2) the person is serving a sentence of incarceration for an indictable offense under the laws of this State, another state, or the United States.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2022-2023 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

     The committee amended the bill to:

     (1) Provide that persons serving sentence of incarceration for indictable offense are automatically disqualified for jury service.

     (2) Provide that persons ever convicted of murder or aggravated sexual assault are automatically disqualified.

     (3) Make minor technical changes.