HCS SB 405 -- JURY SERVICE

SPONSOR:  Koster (Byrd)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Judiciary
by a vote of 12 to 1.

This substitute provides that when a prospective juror seeks an
excuse from jury duty based on a hardship, the person must submit
documentation as may be required by the judge.  When a
prospective juror seeks a postponement of jury duty, the
substitute provides that the court, rather than the prospective
juror, will select the new date for jury duty.

The substitute also allows any person licensed as a healthcare
provider and any employee of a religious institution whose
obligations or constraints prevent them from serving on a jury to
be excused from jury duty.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill gives the judge the
authority to require documentation from potential jurors, but
does not require it.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Koster; and Office of State
Courts Administrator.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Amy Woods, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:21 pm