HB0042 Bland, Mary

C O M M I T T E E

HB 42, HCA 1 -- JURY SERVICE

SPONSOR: Bland

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Judiciary and Ethics by a vote of 7 to 4.

The bill lowers the age required for jury duty from 21 to 18, and allows full-time students to be excused from jury duty.

HCA 1 -- Requires a full-time student to be currently enrolled, and reside more than 20 miles away from the city or county where the jury summons is issued.

FISCAL NOTE: No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that Missouri and Mississippi are the only states that have kept the minimum age for jury duty at 21. Two states have it set at 19, the rest of the states and the federal courts are set at 18. People 18-20 years of age can go to war for their country, can vote, can get credit cards, can be parties to a lawsuit, but can't serve on a jury. Now, more than ever, young people are defendants in criminal trials. Having a jury of one's peers mandates lowering the age to 18.

Testifying for the bill were: Representative Bland; and Associated of Students of the University of Missouri.

OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Richard Smreker, Research Analyst