SB 625
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader - Revised
Senate Bill 625 (Senator Carter)
Judicial Proceedings Judiciary
Courts - Jury Service - Disqualification
This bill alters the circumstances under which an individual may be disqualified from jury
service. The bill repeals a provision that disqualifies an individual who has previously
received a sentence of imprisonment for more than one year. Instead, an individual is not
qualified for jury service if the individual has been convicted of a crime punishable by
imprisonment exceeding one year and is currently serving the sentence imposed for the
conviction, including a term of probation. The bill repeals, as obsolete, a provision
providing that an individual with a disqualifying conviction who has been pardoned
qualifies for jury service.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: The bill does not materially affect the workload of the Judiciary or the Office
of the Public Defender (OPD).
Local Effect: The bill does not materially affect the workload of the circuit courts or
State’s Attorneys’ offices.
Small Business Effect: None.
Analysis
Current Law: Each adult citizen of the State has both the opportunity for jury service
and, when summoned, the duty to serve. However, an individual is not qualified for
jury service in specified circumstances, including if the individual has been convicted, in a
federal or State court, of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year and
received a sentence of imprisonment for more than one year. An individual who has a
charge pending in a federal or State court for a crime punishable by imprisonment
exceeding one year is also not qualified for jury service. An individual with a disqualifying
conviction who has been pardoned qualifies for jury service.
State/Local Fiscal Effect: Although the bill increases the number of prospective jurors in
the State, potentially making the process of summoning jurors and selecting a jury more
efficient, any such impact does not materially affect the workload of the Judiciary, the
circuit courts, OPD, or State’s Attorneys’ offices.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: HB 1213 of 2020, a similar bill, passed the House and was referred
to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, but no further action was taken. SB 921 of
2020, a similar bill, received a hearing in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, but
no further action was taken.
Designated Cross File: HB 260 (Delegate W. Fisher) - Judiciary.
Information Source(s): Judiciary (Administrative Office of the Courts); Office of the
Public Defender; Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association; Department of Legislative
Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - February 12, 2021
rh/jkb Third Reader - March 22, 2021
Revised - Amendment(s) - March 22, 2021
Analysis by: Tyler Allard Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
SB 625/ Page 2


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Courts - Jury Service - Disqualification: 8-103 Courts and Judicial Proceedings
Text - Third - Courts - Jury Service - Disqualification: 8-103 Courts and Judicial Proceedings