Bill Sponsors
Place, Hopkins, Roberts, and Fascia
Committee
House Judiciary
Summary
Select
This legislation modifies the requirements for jury duty service in Rhode Island. Specifically, it updates the list of individuals who are legally exempt from serving as jurors to include anyone who is seventy years of age or older. While this bill automatically grants an exemption to these seniors, it also preserves their right to serve if they choose to do so by allowing them to waive the exemption. Essentially, jury duty becomes voluntary rather than mandatory for residents aged 70 and up.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Protects vulnerable elderly populations from the physical and mental stress associated with mandatory court service and travel.
- Respects the autonomy of seniors by converting a government mandate into a voluntary choice, acknowledging their past contributions to society.
- Reduces barriers for low-income seniors who might struggle with the transportation costs or logistical challenges of attending jury duty.
Cons for Progressives
- Reduces the diversity of the jury pool by potentially removing the perspectives and experiences of older generations from the justice system.
- May lead to a decrease in civic engagement among the elderly population, isolating them further from democratic processes.
- Could disproportionately shift the burden of jury service onto working-class people and younger individuals who may have less flexibility.
Pros for Conservatives
- Reduces government coercion and intrusion into the lives of private citizens by removing a mandate for a specific group.
- Demonstrates respect for the elderly and traditional values by acknowledging that those over 70 have already paid their dues to society.
- Streamlines bureaucracy by eliminating the need for court clerks to process individual medical or hardship excuses for many seniors.
Cons for Conservatives
- Dilutes the quality of the jury pool by potentially removing individuals with the most life experience and wisdom.
- Represents a retreat from civic duty and personal responsibility, which are core tenets of maintaining a functional republic.
- Could create a slippery slope where other groups demand exemptions, further weakening the citizen's obligation to the rule of law.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Persons 70 years of age or older
- Court clerks and administrators
- Practicing attorneys
- Jury commissioners
- Litigants in state courts
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/16/2026 Introduced, referred to House Judiciary
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Section 9-9-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-9 entitled "Jury Lists" is hereby amended to read as follows:
9-9-3. Persons exempt from service.
The following persons shall be exempted from serving as jurors, unless such persons shall waive their exemption, namely: the members of congress from the state of Rhode Island, the general officers of the state, the members and officers of the general assembly during their tenure of office irrespective of whether the general assembly is in session or not, the jury commissioner and his or her assistants, the justices of the state and United States courts, clerks of those courts, practicing attorneys-at-law, correctional officers, deputy sheriffs, probation and parole officers, members of any paid police force of the state or of any city or town, members of any paid fire department of any city or town,and members of the armed services on active duty, and those persons seventy (70) years of age or older.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
9-9-3. Persons exempt from service.
The following persons shall be exempted from serving as jurors, unless such persons shall waive their exemption, namely: the members of congress from the state of Rhode Island, the general officers of the state, the members and officers of the general assembly during their tenure of office irrespective of whether the general assembly is in session or not, the jury commissioner and his or her assistants, the justices of the state and United States courts, clerks of those courts, practicing attorneys-at-law, correctional officers, deputy sheriffs, probation and parole officers, members of any paid police force of the state or of any city or town, members of any paid fire department of any city or town,
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.