FIRST REGULAR SESSION

[I N T R O D U C E D]

SENATE BILL NO. 348

89th GENERAL ASSEMBLY


S1422.01I

AN ACT

     To repeal sections 494.425 and 494.430, RSMo 1994, relating to jury service, and to enact in lieu thereof two new sections relating to the same subject.


BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:

     Section A. Sections 494.425 and 494.430, RSMo 1994, are repealed and two new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 494.425 and 494.430, to read as follows:

     494.425. The following persons shall be disqualified from serving as a petit or grand juror:

     (1) Any person who is less than [twenty-one] eighteen years of age;

     (2) Any person not a citizen of the United States;

     (3) Any person not a resident of the county or city not within a county served by the court issuing the summons;

     (4) Any person who has been convicted of a felony, unless such person has been restored to [his] such person's civil rights;

     (5) Any person unable to read, speak and understand the English language;

     (6) Any person on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or any member of the organized militia on active duty under order of the governor;

     (7) Any licensed attorney at law;

     (8) Any judge of a court of record;

     (9) Any person who, in the judgment of the court or the board of jury commissioners, is incapable of performing the duties of a juror because of mental or physical illness or infirmity.

     494.430. Upon timely application to the court, the following persons shall be excused from service as a petit or grand juror:

     (1) Any person actually performing the duties of a clergyman;

     (2) Any person who has served on a state or federal petit or grand jury within the preceding year;

     (3) Any person whose absence from [his] such person's regular place of employment would, in the judgment of the court, tend materially and adversely to affect the public safety, health, welfare or interest;

     (4) Any person upon whom service as a juror would in the judgment of the court impose an extreme hardship;

     (5) Any person licensed to engage in and actively engaged in the practice of medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, dentistry or pharmacy;

     (6) Any person who is enrolled as a full-time student and is not residing within twenty miles of the city or county where the jury summons is issued.