TRENTON, NJ – Assemblyman Robert Auth expressed concerns over a bill passed by the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Monday, which permits individuals with past indictable offenses to serve as jurors, excluding those convicted of murder or aggravated sexual assault.
The bill (A977), amended by the committee, aims to revise the current practice of barring individuals charged with indictable offenses from jury duty for life.
Auth questioned the wisdom of allowing those with repeated poor judgment to potentially sit in judgment of defendants, possibly affecting the integrity of the justice system. He highlighted concerns about the impact of this change on court efficiency, suggesting it could add to the existing backlogs.
Despite undergoing voir dire, a process for screening jurors for fairness and impartiality, Auth argued that including individuals with multiple convictions might not serve the public or defendants’ interests in a fair trial. The bill advanced from the committee following a 4 to 1 vote, with Auth casting the lone dissenting vote. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the jury’s integrity in upholding justice.