Current as of January 01, 2019 | Updated by FindLaw Staff
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(a) A person is qualified to serve as a juror if the person is:
(1) A citizen of the United States; and
(2) A resident of Rhode Island who either:
(i) Resides in the county where the person is registered to vote; or
(ii) Is licensed to operate a motor vehicle within this state; or
(iii) Possesses a Rhode Island identification card issued pursuant to the provisions of §§ 3-8-6 and 3-8-6.1; or
(iv) Is an individual filing a state income tax return; or
(v) Is an individual recipient of unemployment compensation.
(3) At least 18 years of age;
(4) Able to understand and participate in the court proceedings; and
(5) Physically and mentally capable of performing in a reasonable manner the duties of a juror.
(b) No person shall be allowed to serve as a juror if he or she has been lawfully adjudicated to be non compos mentis.
(c) No person convicted of a felony shall be allowed to serve as a juror, until completion of such felon's sentence, served or suspended, and of parole or probation regardless of a nolo contendere plea.
(d) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a)(4) and (5), a person with a disability shall not be ineligible to serve as a juror solely on the basis of his or her disability, and if that person meets the above requirements, with reasonable accommodations if necessary, he or she shall be deemed a qualified juror.
(e) Nothing in this section shall prevent the court from disqualifying a prospective juror because he or she lacks a faculty or has a disability which will prevent the potential juror from being a competent juror in a particular case.
(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit a party's right to preemptorially challenge jurors.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Rhode Island General Laws Title 9. Courts and Civil Procedure--Procedure Generally § 9-9-1.1. Qualifications of jurors - last updated January 01, 2019 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-9-courts-and-civil-procedure-procedure-generally/ri-gen-laws-sect-9-9-1-1/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.
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