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Criminal History Exclusions and Jury Diversity

Faculty: Prof. James Binnall, Associate Professor of Law, Criminology, and Criminal Justice, California State University Long Beach, Brendon Woods, Chief Public Defender Alameda County; and moderator Judge Sharon Greer, Iowa Court of Appeals

Summary: In all but one U.S. jurisdiction, individuals with a prior felony conviction are restricted from serving as jurors. In the vast majority of these jurisdictions, such exclusions are permanent, barring those with felonious criminal histories from ever taking part in jury service. This panel will discuss those statutes and how such exclusions impact the composition of jury panels, deliberation quality, juror satisfaction, and the legitimacy of the jury as a representative body. Panelists will detail empirical research in this area, as well as recent legislative reforms in California that restored juror eligibility to those with prior felony criminal convictions.

Jun 10, 2022 01:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)