Governor Phil Murphy has signed an executive order that expands jury service eligibility to individuals in New Jersey with state convictions who have completed their sentences. The move, which restores the right to serve on a jury for hundreds of thousands of residents, is being described as a significant step toward addressing racial disparities and systemic injustices within the state’s criminal legal system.
The ACLU of New Jersey has publicly supported the governor’s decision. The organization launched The Clemency Project in 2024 to encourage broader use of clemency powers by Governor Murphy.
New Jersey previously barred people convicted of indictable offenses from serving on juries for life, making it one of the strictest states regarding jury exclusion. This policy disproportionately affected Black residents due to racialized policing practices, resulting in their underrepresentation on juries. Advocates argue this undercuts defendants’ rights and undermines public trust in the justice system.
The new executive order grants eligibility for jury service to all individuals who have completed sentences for indictable offenses as of its effective date. However, it does not extend to those currently on probation or parole, nor will it apply automatically to future cases because clemency can only address past conduct. Supporters note that legislative action is still needed for a comprehensive solution that addresses ongoing disparities.
Amol Sinha, executive director of the ACLU of New Jersey, stated: “We believe people deserve second chances, and that includes being able to once again participate fully in civic life. Jury service is a pillar of democracy, and one of the most meaningful opportunities for people to engage in the democratic process. Exclusion laws that attempt to take away the right of serving on a jury have long been tools of white supremacy. Today’s executive order will help repair some of the harms caused by excluding returning citizens from this vital civic duty, allowing for more representative juries and building a stronger democracy.
“People with criminal convictions who have served their sentences are as capable of serving as jurors as anyone else. Representation makes our juries stronger, not weaker, and all New Jerseyans who are active, full members of society deserve to be considered for the foundational civil right of serving on a jury.
“We celebrate the signing of this executive order and thank Governor Murphy for his commitment to repairing the harms inflicted by a historically unjust and racist criminal legal system. We urge New Jersey leaders to continue to build a more fair and representative democracy for all by codifying a permanent, forward-looking, and inclusive right to serve on a jury.”
