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Quiz: Qualifications for Being a Juror

Read the following descriptions and decide who should be able to serve on a jury and explain why. Write "Y" for yes and "N" for no. After you have recorded your initial impressions, review them with another student. Working together, the class will draft a list of characteristics that they think would qualify someone to serve, then compare them to the actual qualifications.

Descriptions

Juror Qualification Descriptions: Write "Y" for yes they are qualified to server on a jury, or "N" for no they are not qualified to serve on a jury.

  1. Knut received a notice to serve on a jury in Washington, D.C. He is a resident of Washington, D.C. and is a German citizen.
    Explain:
  2. Elia received a notice to serve on a jury in her town. She is 17 and a student at the local high school.
    Explain:
  3. Juan received a notice to serve on a jury in his area. He speaks only Spanish.
    Explain:
  4. Jackie received a notice to serve on a jury in her city. She has been living in the judicial district for two years. She is a waitress in a local diner and has never been convicted of a felony.
    Explain:
  5. Roger received a notice to serve on a jury. He is currently in a hospital receiving treatment for schizophrenia.
    Explain:
  6. Elizabeth received a notice to serve on a jury. She is a lawyer in town and knows the defendant in the trial.
    Explain:

Answers

Juror Qualification Answers. "Y" is for Yes they are qualified to serve on a jury, and "N" is for no they are not qualified to serve on a jury.

  1. N
    Knut received a notice to serve on a jury in Washington, D.C. He is a resident of Washington, D.C. and is a German citizen. Explain: Being a U.S. citizen is a qualification for being a juror, just as it is for voting.
  2. N
    Elia received a notice to serve on a jury in her town. She is 17 and a student at the local high school. Explain: Again, the requirements for voting and jury service are similar. You must be 18.
  3. N
    Juan received a notice to serve on a jury in his area. He speaks only Spanish. Explain: Proficiency in English is a requirement for understanding the trial.
  4. Y
    Jackie received a notice to serve on a jury in her city. She has been living in the judicial district for two years. She is a waitress in a local diner and has never been convicted of a felony. Explain: You must have lived in the judicial district for one year and usually you cannot have been convicted of a felony (or have charges pending).
  5. N
    Roger received a notice to serve on a jury. He is currently in a hospital receiving treatment for schizophrenia. Explain:Being in treatment for a mental condition, like schizophrenia, would disqualify a potential juror because of the effect the condition could have on objectivity.
  6. Y
    Elizabeth received a notice to serve on a jury. She is a lawyer in town and knows the defendant in the trial. Explain: Elizabeth would be qualified under the law, but the attorneys for the defendant or prosecutor may strike her from the jury pool because she is an attorney or because she knows the defendant. However, this would be up to the attorneys.

Juror Qualifications

Secure Database Profile Qualifications

  • United States citizen
  • At least 18 years old
  • Reside in the judicial district for at least one year
  • Adequate proficiency in English
  • No disqualifying mental or physical condition
  • Not currently subject to felony charges
  • Never convicted of a felony (unless civil rights have been legally restored)