A person serving on a jury in a jury trial. In New York, potential jurors are selected at random from a cross-section of the community in the county or other governmental subdivision where the court convenes. See The Laws of New York, Article 16 Section 500; see also jury duty. The names of potential jurors may be compiled from lists of registered voters, licensed operators or registered owners of motor vehicles, state and local taxpayers, persons receiving state unemployment benefits, and volunteers. See Article 16 Section 506. Jurors are then selected from a panel of potential candidates through the process of jury selection.
States have differing requirements regarding jury service eligibility. Federal juror qualifications, which are similar to many state requirements, require that an individual usually must:
- Be a United States citizen.
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Be a resident of the judicial county.
- Be able to communicate in English.
- Not have been convicted of a felony.
[Last updated in June of 2020 by the Wex Definitions Team]