Jury Non-Discrimination

Equality in Jury Selection and Service

The Jury ACCESS Act (S 38) is a bipartisan federal bill, introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) that would prohibit the exclusion of individuals from service on a Federal jury based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Susan Davis recently introduced a House companion bill, the Juror Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 (HR 312).

Currently, the United States Code prohibits discrimination solely on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin and economic status. Serving on a jury is a civic duty and every defendant is entitled to a jury of their peers. Allowing attorneys to remove an individual from the jury for no reason other than their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity infringes upon fundamental rights.

The National LGBT Bar Association has been working closely with Senator Shaheen’s office and Congresswoman Davis in promoting the bill.

To track the Senate bill, click here.

To track the House bill, click here.