Jury seating area - file photo. — Jury seating area - File Photo.

NEWARK – At the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice’s 25th Anniversary Gala, Governor Phil Murphy expressed his administration’s ongoing efforts to empower communities of color and support individuals previously involved in the criminal justice system. He announced his backing for a legislative proposal that aims to restore jury service rights to formerly incarcerated persons. This initiative is part of what he calls the “Second Chance Agenda” and is supported by legislators including Senator Raj Mukherji, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Senator Brian Stack, Senator Angela McKnight, Assemblymembers Shanique Speight, and Reginald Atkins.

Approximately 500,000 New Jersey residents, predominantly from communities of color, are currently barred for life from serving on juries. States like Maine, Indiana, North Dakota, and Washington have already moved to restore these rights after incarceration. Governor Murphy emphasized that restoring these rights is crucial for maintaining the integrity of democracy and the justice system.

Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way also supported the measure, citing it as a continuation of New Jersey’s leadership in criminal justice reform. She referenced previous successes, including the restoration of voting rights for those on probation or parole and anticipated that this move would enhance the diversity and representativeness of jury panels statewide.

In line with these efforts, Governor Murphy has enacted several key reforms aimed at integrating formerly incarcerated individuals back into society. These include the introduction of “clean slate” expungements in 2019 and the “Fair Chance in Housing Act” in 2021, which restricts landlords from inquiring about criminal histories. Additionally, following the legalization of recreational cannabis, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission has been prioritizing licenses for social equity businesses and those affected by prior marijuana-related offenses.

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