SB75 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Del Marsh

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Juries, prospective juror who is 70 years of age or older, may be excused from jury duty upon request, Sec. 12-16-63 am'd.

Summary

The bill would let a prospective juror who is 70 years old or older be excused from jury duty upon request.

What This Bill Does

It amends the jury-excusal rules to allow a 70+ juror to be excused upon written request. It keeps existing grounds for excuse (hardship, incapacity, or public necessity) for up to 24 months, with specific documentation requirements. It requires the judge to grant a 70+ juror's written request for exemption and preserves the automatic postponement right in some cases. The act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Prospective jurors who are at least 70 years old, who can be excused from jury service upon request (including a written request).

Key Provisions

• The court may excuse a prospective juror 70 years of age or older from jury service upon a written request or interview-based determination.
• For those under the hardship path, the bill maintains up to 24 months of exemption for undue or extreme physical or financial hardship, a disabling mental or physical condition, or public necessity, with required documentation and definitions of hardship (caregiving, essential living costs, or primary support).
• Hardship justifications must show more than just being away from work; the hardship must meet the specified criteria.
• A prospective juror aged 70 or older may submit a written statement requesting exemption, for either temporary or permanent relief, and the judge must grant the exemption upon receipt.
• Excusal under the hardship path does not eliminate the existing automatic postponement right under Section 12-16-63.1.
• The act takes effect on the first day of the third month after it is enacted.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Juries and Jurors