Senate Bill 232 was approved unanimously by the Indiana General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Mitch Daniels on March 9, 2006. It takes effect on July 1, 2006. Two earlier attempts to pass a similar measure failed.

A key part of the measure is the removal of all exemptions that previously allowed entire categories of people, even ferry boat operators, to avoid jury service. Those categories included people over 65, veterinarians, dentists, law enforcement officers, legislators, armed services personnel, elected or appointed government officials, Indianapolis Public School Board members, firefighters, and corrections officers. Ferry boat operators had enjoyed the exemption since 1881 but now the boatmen and the others will lose their automatic exemption.

“The elimination of exemptions from jury duty ensures that all citizens have an equal opportunity to serve their community by participating in the trial process. It also guarantees to litigants a broad and diverse jury pool comprised of all Hoosiers qualified to serve,” said Allen Superior Court Judge Frances C. Gull, a former chair of the Indiana Judicial Conference's Judicial Administration Committee.

Senate Bill 232 was authored by Sen. Beverly Gard, R-Greenfield, and sponsored by Rep. Ralph Foley, R-Martinsville, Rep. Carolene Mays, D-Indianapolis, Rep. Eric Koch, R-Bedford, and Rep. Andy Thomas, R-Brazil.

Chief Justice Shepard said the measure will also insure that jury service remain as convenient as possible.

“Jury service can be a challenge but it is also very fulfilling. Most jurors walk away from the experience with a new respect for the system and the people who work in the trial courts,” said Chief Justice Shepard, adding that National Juror Appreciation Week is May 1-5.

In addition the measure specifies that a prospective juror may not be subject to adverse employment action if the person notified the employer within a reasonable period after receiving the summons and before the person appears for service. Also, an employee may not be forced to use annual vacation or sick leave for time spent responding to a summons for jury service, participating in jury selection, or serving on a jury.

The measure also tracks existing court rules that enables prospective jurors to defer service one time for one year upon a showing of hardship, extreme inconvenience, or necessity.

National Juror Appreciation Week is May 1- 5, 2006
For more information and a juror appreciation kit, visit: http://www.abanet.org/jury/jurorkit.html