A controversial executive order has been issued in New Jersey that allows people with felony convictions to serve on juries.
Governor Phil Murphy signed the order on January 11th, allowing residents to convict before January 10th of this year who have completed their sentences to serve on juries. This means that approximately 350,000 New Jersey residents who were previously permanently disqualified from jury duty for felony convictions will now be able to serve on juries in both civil and criminal trials.
Current New Jersey law prohibits those with a criminal record from serving on a jury. While the state legislature has attempted to amend the law, it has not been implemented.
Ultimately, Governor Murphy has used his authority as governor to issue an executive order, essentially a partial pardon, restoring jury rights to former felons. Governor Murphy stated that the move was intended to ensure that juries more accurately represent the community, citing a disproportionate number of Black and Hispanic residents who are excluded from juries.
Progressive civic groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), also argued that former felons who have completed their sentences are fully qualified to serve as jurors, just like anyone else, and that those who have fulfilled their legal responsibilities should not be excluded from their important civic duty. However, Republicans and others are criticizing the governor for abusing his pardon power by circumventing the legislature.
State Senator Michael Testa, a Republican, stated, “The governor has no legal authority to change the juror qualification standards. Excluding convicted individuals from juries is not punishment; it’s about protecting the fairness and credibility of the judicial system.”