H 7144Civil Procedure

Courts and Civil Procedure - Procedure Generally - Jury Lists

Individuals seventy years of age or older are now exempt from mandatory jury duty but may choose to serve.

Introduced

Population
Affected

Introduced Jan 16, 2026Committee House Judiciary

Plain-English Summary

This legislation modifies the requirements for jury duty service in Rhode Island. Specifically, it updates the list of individuals who are legally exempt from serving as jurors to include anyone who is seventy years of age or older. While this bill automatically grants an exemption to these seniors, it also preserves their right to serve if they choose to do so by allowing them to waive the exemption. Essentially, jury duty becomes voluntary rather than mandatory for residents aged 70 and up.

For younger readers

This bill changes the rules about who has to be on a jury. A jury is a group of people who listen to a court case and decide who is right. Usually, adults have to do this if the government asks them. This new rule says that people who are seventy years old or older do not have to be on a jury anymore if they don't want to. If they still want to help out in court, they are allowed to, but they cannot be forced to do it.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Persons 70 years of age or olderCourt clerks and administratorsPracticing attorneysJury commissionersLitigants in state courts

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Protects vulnerable elderly populations from the physical and mental stress associated with mandatory court service and travel.
Respects the autonomy of seniors by converting a government mandate into a voluntary choice, acknowledging their past contributions to society.
Reduces barriers for low-income seniors who might struggle with the transportation costs or logistical challenges of attending jury duty.
Reduces the diversity of the jury pool by potentially removing the perspectives and experiences of older generations from the justice system.
May lead to a decrease in civic engagement among the elderly population, isolating them further from democratic processes.
Could disproportionately shift the burden of jury service onto working-class people and younger individuals who may have less flexibility.

For Conservatives

Reduces government coercion and intrusion into the lives of private citizens by removing a mandate for a specific group.
Demonstrates respect for the elderly and traditional values by acknowledging that those over 70 have already paid their dues to society.
Streamlines bureaucracy by eliminating the need for court clerks to process individual medical or hardship excuses for many seniors.
Dilutes the quality of the jury pool by potentially removing individuals with the most life experience and wisdom.
Represents a retreat from civic duty and personal responsibility, which are core tenets of maintaining a functional republic.
Could create a slippery slope where other groups demand exemptions, further weakening the citizen's obligation to the rule of law.

Votes

Loading votes...

Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 3 additions · 1 deletion

SECTION 1. Section 9-9-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-9 entitled "Jury Lists" is hereby amended to read as follows: 9-9-3. Persons exempt from service. The following persons shall be exempted from serving as jurors, unless such persons shall waive their exemption, namely: the members of congress from the state of Rhode Island, the general officers of the state, the members and officers of the general assembly during their tenure of office irrespective of whether the general assembly is in session or not, the jury commissioner and his or her assistants, the justices of the state and United States courts, clerks of those courts, practicing attorneys-at-law, correctional officers, deputy sheriffs, probation and parole officers, members of any paid police force of the state or of any city or town, members of any paid fire department of any city or town, ~~and~~ members of the armed services on active duty, and those persons seventy (70) years of age or older.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.