OT/Question regarding bailing on jury duty?

[tbob]

Originally Posted by David W

In Indiana I think the names for the jury pool come from the registered voter list.

Is that true in other states? If so, since a large percentage of people never register to vote, how representative of a jury do you get?

David- that is the way it goes in my state also. The jury panel is called based on the voter registration rolls. Thus anyone previously convicted of a felony (who never bothered to have his conviction later sealed) is automatically ineligible for jury duty. The move is on to shift from voter registration rolls to driver's license rolls but that opens up a can of worms because you can get a driver's license if convicted of a felony but you can not vote if you were convicted of any kind of felony, even if the sentence were suspended on good behavior.

[tbob]

My wife was involved in an all weekend event a while ago to register voters for the upcoming elections and was shocked at how many people, especially young people, wanted to register to vote but had felonies on their record.
I will tell you that they were successful in registering many minority individuals to vote for the first time this fall. I don't think she advised them that they were now eligible for jury duty though

[Leon]

Originally Posted by tbob

My wife was involved in an all weekend event a while ago to register voters for the upcoming elections and was shocked at how many people, especially young people, wanted to register to vote but had felonies on their record.
I will tell you that they were successful in registering many minority individuals to vote for the first time this fall. I don't think she advised them that they were now eligible for jury duty though

Felons can vote as long as they are not on any type of parole or probation any longer. Of course they can't be on jury duty unless the felony was expunged or done away with (Governor pardon etc...) otherwise. At least that is what I believe are the cases.

[tbob]

Originally Posted by Leon

Felons can vote as long as they are not on any type of parole or probation any longer. Of course they can't be on jury duty unless the felony was expunged or done away with (Governor pardon etc...) otherwise. At least that is what I believe are the cases.

Perhaps in Texas, but not Arkansas. Felons can also own handguns in Texas, but they are absolutely prohibited for owning or even possessing them in Arkansas. Not even an expungement will work in Arkansas but there has been some recent legislation designed to allow felons to possess handguns for hunting (thanks NRA, just we need felons touting semi-automatic rifles while hunting rabbits )

[Leon]

Originally Posted by tbob

Perhaps in Texas, but not Arkansas. Felons can also own handguns in Texas, but they are absolutely prohibited for owning or even possessing them in Arkansas. Not even an expungement will work in Arkansas but there has been some recent legislation designed to allow felons to possess handguns for hunting (thanks NRA, just we need felons touting semi-automatic rifles while hunting rabbits )

No, felons in TX can not own or possess hand guns (or any guns for that matter). It's a felony to do so. And yes, Felons can vote in Arkansas just as I stated they can in TX. Same rules in Arkansas as in Texas concerning voting.

[Deertick]

Originally Posted by Leon

No, felons in TX can not own or possess hand guns (or any guns for that matter). It's a felony to do so. And yes, Felons can vote in Arkansas just as I stated they can in TX. Same rules in Arkansas as in Texas concerning voting.

Felons can't vote in FL. But they sure as hell can hold jobs as State Legislators!

(well, could be a chicken-egg thing)

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Deertick

Felons can't vote in FL. But they sure as hell can hold jobs as State Legislators!

(well, could be a chicken-egg thing)

Sort of.....they can, with approval, but it's not automatic the way it used to be-

On Mar. 9, 2011 the Florida rules of Executive Clemency were toughened. Automatic restoration of civil rights and the ability to vote will no longer be granted for any offenses. All individuals convicted of any felony will now have to apply for executive clemency after a five year waiting period. Individuals who are convicted, or who have previously been convicted, of certain felonies such as murder, assault, child abuse, drug trafficking, arson, etc. are subject to a seven year waiting period and a clemency board hearing to determine whether or not the ability to vote will be restored.

Prior to the Mar. 9, 2011 rule change some individuals convicted of non-violent felonies were re-enfranchised automatically by the Clemency Board upon completion of their full sentence, including payment of fines and fees.