Legislation Quick Search
03/18/2024 11:25 PM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20130&cosponId=14130
Share:
Home / House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Subscribe to PaLegis Notifications
NEW!

Subscribe to receive notifications of new Co-Sponsorship Memos circulated

By Member | By Date | Keyword Search


House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: February 19, 2014 03:29 PM
From: Representative Mike Tobash
To: All House members
Subject: Jury Service For Older Citizens
 

I plan to introduce legislation that would allow any individual over the age of 75 to be excused from jury duty, if that person chooses. I believe it’s important for older citizens to participate in our legal process. As jurors their life experience is valuable and necessary in coming to just verdicts. However, their ability to serve is more complex for various reason than it is for other citizens.

Many over the age of 75 may not have the means or ability to attend court as a juror and I believe they should have the option to be excused without having to document their hardships. These older citizens have earned the right to participate at their own option. For that reason, this legislation will allow that individual to opt out of serving, but will not exclude them from serving if they are willing and able.

Our law currently provides exemptions for those who are active in the armed forces, those who are unable due to undue hardship or extreme inconvenience, those who have served for longer than three days as a juror in the last three years, a relative of a victim of criminal homicide, or any person who has served for a term of 18 months on a grand jury.



Introduced as HB2102