Removes the lifetime ban on jury duty for convicted felons.
Summary
S02240 would amend New York’s Judiciary Law to remove the current lifetime disqualification from jury service for people convicted of felonies. Under existing law, a person convicted of a felony is barred from serving as a juror; this bill deletes that exclusion from the list of juror qualifications. The bill also adds a new provision stating that anyone currently serving a term of incarceration for a felony conviction is excused from jury service while incarcerated.
In practical terms, the bill would make felony conviction alone no longer an automatic, permanent barrier to jury eligibility. People with prior felony convictions who are otherwise qualified—U.S. citizens, county residents, at least 18 years old, and able to understand and communicate in English—could be called for jury duty once they are no longer incarcerated. The bill takes effect 180 days after becoming law.
Impact
The bill would amend Judiciary Law §510 and add a new subdivision to §517, changing the state’s juror qualification rules and excusal provisions. It would eliminate the lifetime felony-based exclusion from jury service and clarify that incarcerated individuals serving felony sentences are not required to serve while imprisoned. The change would affect jury pool eligibility statewide and could expand civic participation for people with felony records after release.
Sentiment
The available record shows the bill was introduced by a large group of Senate sponsors and advanced through committee amendment and recommittal, suggesting active support among its sponsors and committee members. No vote totals or hearing transcript are provided, so there is no direct record of opposition or debate in the materials supplied. Overall, the bill appears to be framed as a criminal justice and civic reintegration measure rather than a controversial procedural change.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the policy choice to end a lifetime ban on jury service for people with felony convictions. Supporters would view the bill as removing an outdated collateral consequence and broadening civic inclusion, while opponents may argue that felony convictions should remain a basis for exclusion from juries. The bill also distinguishes between formerly incarcerated individuals and those currently incarcerated, excusing the latter from service, which may be seen as a practical clarification rather than a separate controversy.
Repeals the crime of felony murder; permits vacating conviction and resentencing of defendants convicted of felony murder; requires reporting of certain crime statistics and information.
Repeals the crime of felony murder; permits vacating conviction and resentencing of defendants convicted of felony murder; requires reporting of certain crime statistics and information.
Removes the lifetime ban on jury duty for convicted felons; provides that if convicted of a felony, such person has completed all sentencing requirements to such conviction, including any required term of imprisonment, probation, or community supervision.
Removes the lifetime ban on jury duty for convicted felons; provides that if convicted of a felony, such person has completed all sentencing requirements to such conviction, including any required term of imprisonment, probation, or community supervision.
Increases the penalty for multiple convictions of torturing, killing or failing to provide sustenance to an animal to a felony, if convicted within five years from the date of a prior conviction.
Provides that in order to present the claim for unjust conviction and imprisonment, claimant must establish by documentary evidence that: they have been convicted of one or more felonies or misdemeanors against the state and subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment, and have served all or any part of the sentence; and they have had the one or more felonies and misdemeanors dismissed with prejudice following serving all or part of the sentence; and their claim is not time-barred.
Provides that in order to present the claim for unjust conviction and imprisonment, claimant must establish by documentary evidence that: they have been convicted of one or more felonies or misdemeanors against the state and subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment, and have served all or any part of the sentence; and they have had the one or more felonies and misdemeanors dismissed with prejudice following serving all or part of the sentence; and their claim is not time-barred.
Limits damages that can be recovered by plaintiffs who were uninsured motorists, intoxicated drivers, or convicted of a felony during which the accident occurred in tort claims.