The bill amends various sections of the Code of West Virginia to improve the processes of jury selection and management. It establishes a master list and county lists for jurors, compiled by the administrative director from multiple sources, including voter registration and driver's license records. The legislation clarifies clerks' responsibilities regarding juror qualification forms and the maintenance of the jury wheel. Notably, it eliminates the alternate procedure for jury selection using electronic data processing and the jury box, while ensuring that individuals with expunged convictions or pardons are not disqualified from serving. The bill also repeals outdated provisions and introduces measures to address juror shortages by allowing qualified jurors who have not yet served to be summoned.

Furthermore, the bill outlines specific procedures for jury selection, emphasizing that these are the exclusive means for challenging a jury's selection in the absence of fraud. It mandates the preservation of juror selection records for at least four years and requires clerks to report demographic information about jurors to the Supreme Court of Appeals annually. The legislation establishes penalties for tampering with the jury wheel, classifying such actions as a felony, and repeals previous methods of jury selection to promote a more streamlined process. The bill is set to take effect 90 days after passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 52-1-1, 52-1-3, 52-1-5, 52-1-5a, 52-1-6, 52-1-7, 52-1-8, 52-1-9, 52-1-15, 52-1-16, 52-1-22, 52-2-3, 52-1-7a, 52-1-25
Committee Substitute: 52-1-1, 52-1-3, 52-1-5, 52-1-5a, 52-1-6, 52-1-7, 52-1-8, 52-1-9, 52-1-15, 52-1-16, 52-1-22, 52-2-3, 52-1-7a, 52-1-25
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 52-1-1, 52-1-3, 52-1-5, 52-1-5a, 52-1-6, 52-1-7, 52-1-8, 52-1-9, 52-1-15, 52-1-16, 52-1-22, 52-2-3, 52-1-7a, 52-1-25