Jury Summons & Disqualification

Receiving a jury summons is a key step in civic participation, but many never get that chance. Disqualifications—often for criminal history, language barriers, or perceived hardship—systematically remove large portions of the community. Outreach and education are crucial to countering myths and increasing participation from excluded populations.

Key Topics:

  • Disqualifications tied to criminal records

  • Failure-to-appear and nonresponse issues

  • Inaccessible summons processes

Key Resources:

  • Toolkits & Templates:

    • Jury eligibility restoration letters

    • Model policy language for inclusive jury service

    • Community education handouts

  • Reports & Articles:

    • Unlocking the Jury Box

    • Why Won’t They Come? (Harris County study)

  • Webinars:

    • Systemic Juror Exclusion: Policy Failures and Fixes

  • Data Tools:

    • State Jury Selection Data (MD, DE, PA, VA)

    • Sample motion for access to jury selection records

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