N.J.S.A. 2B:20-1 establishes six criteria for a person to qualify for jury service:
- be a resident of New Jersey;
- be a citizen of the United States;
- be physically and mentally able to perform the functions of a juror (noting that the Judiciary will provide accommodations consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act);
- have no conviction for an indictable offense
- On January 11, 2026, the Office of the Governor issued an Executive Order No. 411 to restore the right to serve on a jury for certain individuals who were disqualified solely because of a conviction for a New Jersey indictable offense. Individuals with indictable (felony) convictions may be eligible to serve if all of the following criteria apply:
- The conviction occurred on or before January 10, 2026;
- The person has completed all non-monetary parts of their sentence (such as incarceration, probation, or parole);
- The conviction was under the jurisdiction of New Jersey Superior Court; and
- The conviction was not for impeachment or treason.
- Examples of persons who would be disqualified are anyone who was convicted of, or pled guilty to, a crime in Federal Court or another state court; or anyone currently on PTI (Pre-trial Intervention Program.)
- Examples of persons who would qualify to serve jury duty are anyone whose only convictions are in Municipal Court (most traffic violations fall into this category, as do most shoplifting charges;) or anyone who has been accused of a crime but has not yet been convicted or has yet to enter a guilty plea, or anyone who meets the criteria set forth in the Executive Order No. 411 as outlined above.
- Also, traffic offenses, juvenile and DWI related offenses that occurred in New Jersey are not grounds for disqualification.
- You are not disqualified with respect to criminal record if you successfully completed a Pre-Trial Intervention program (PTI) for an offense and have not been convicted or pled guilty to another disqualifying offense.
- On January 11, 2026, the Office of the Governor issued an Executive Order No. 411 to restore the right to serve on a jury for certain individuals who were disqualified solely because of a conviction for a New Jersey indictable offense. Individuals with indictable (felony) convictions may be eligible to serve if all of the following criteria apply:
- be at least 18 years of age; and
- be able to read and understand the English language