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Bill > A1956
NJ A1956
NJ A1956Clarifies excuse from jury service for members of the military or reserve under certain circumstances; repeals N.J.S.38A:4-6.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would clarify an excuse from jury service for members of the military. Currently, N.J.S.2B:20-10 enumerates the grounds for excuse from jury service. Pursuant to P.L.1995, c.44, the Legislature eliminated exemptions for jury service and provided that a prospective juror may be excused from jury service in limited circumstances: the prospective juror is 75 years of age or older; the prospective juror has served as a juror within the last three years; jury service with impose a severe hardship on the prospective juror; the prospective juror is a member of a volunteer fire department or fire patrol; or the juror is a volunteer member of a first aid or rescue squad. Although N.J.S.38A:4-6 provides an excuse from jury service for members of the military, this section does not set forth a mechanism whereby the courts can verify a person's military status. This bill would repeal N.J.S.38A:4-6 and amend N.J.S.2B:20-10 to establish procedures for an excuse from jury service for members of the military. Under the bill, an officer or enlisted member of the organized militia, the United States Armed Forces, or a reserve component may be excused from jury service provided the person has submitted to the jury manager or Assignment Judge a certification that the person is unavailable for jury service due to a military deployment or duty assignment.
AI Summary
This bill clarifies the circumstances under which members of the military or reserve components can be excused from jury service by repealing an existing law (N.J.S.38A:4-6) and amending another (N.J.S.2B:20-10) which lists the current reasons for excuse. Previously, while military members could be excused, there wasn't a clear process for courts to verify their status. Under this bill, an active duty or reserve member of the organized militia or the United States Armed Forces can be excused if they provide a certification to the jury manager or Assignment Judge stating they are unavailable due to a military deployment or duty assignment. This new provision is added to the existing list of excuses, which includes being 75 or older, having served on a jury recently, facing severe hardship (like medical inability, severe financial strain, or caregiving responsibilities), or being a volunteer firefighter or member of a first aid or rescue squad.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1956 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2000/1956_I1.HTM |
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