Disability and Age in Jury Service Nondiscrimination Act
Summary
The Disability and Age in Jury Service Nondiscrimination Act aims to amend Title 28 of the United States Code to prohibit the exclusion of individuals from federal jury service based on disability or age. The bill seeks to ensure that people with disabilities are not disqualified if reasonable accommodations can be made. It amends sections 1862 and 1865 of Title 28 to reflect these changes.
Expected Effects
This act, if passed, would broaden the pool of potential jurors by removing discriminatory barriers based on disability and age. It would require courts to consider reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities to enable their jury service. This could lead to more diverse juries that better represent the communities they serve.
Potential Benefits
- Promotes inclusivity and equal opportunity in jury service.
- Expands the pool of potential jurors, leading to more representative juries.
- Ensures that individuals with disabilities are not unfairly excluded from civic duties.
- Encourages courts to provide reasonable accommodations, fostering accessibility.
- Aligns with the principles of non-discrimination and equal protection under the law.
Potential Disadvantages
- May require courts to incur additional costs for providing reasonable accommodations.
- Could potentially lengthen jury selection processes as accommodations are assessed.
- There might be challenges in determining what constitutes a 'reasonable accommodation' in specific cases.
- Some may argue that certain disabilities could genuinely impair a person's ability to serve effectively on a jury, despite accommodations.
- Potential for increased administrative burden on the courts.
Constitutional Alignment
The act aligns with the principles of equal protection and due process, as it seeks to prevent discrimination in jury selection. While the Constitution does not explicitly address disability or age in jury service, the spirit of the Sixth Amendment (right to a fair trial by an impartial jury) supports efforts to ensure a diverse and representative jury pool. The Fifth Amendment's due process clause also supports fair and equitable treatment under the law.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).