HLS 10RS-623 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE BILL NO. 851
BY REPRESENTATIVE ABRAMSON
JURY DUTY: Establishes the "Juror's Bill of Rights"
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 13:3054, relative to jurors; to establish a juror's bill of rights; to provide for2
the rights of jurors and prospective jurors; and to provide for related matters.3
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:4
Section 1. R.S. 13:3054 is hereby enacted to read as follows: 5
ยง3054. Juror's bill of rights6
A. The provisions of this Section may be referred to as the "Juror's Bill of7
Rights".8
B. There is hereby established a juror's bill of rights to promote the rights of9
jurors in the state of Louisiana in both criminal and civil trials. Jurors are called10
upon to make important decisions involving life, liberty, and property, and as such,11
deserve respect and consideration. The rights afforded to jurors are available insofar12
as they are implemented in accordance with the Constitution of Louisiana and the13
Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, the administrative rules of state and local14
governmental entities, and the budgetary consideration of the state and local15
governmental entities. To this end, the juror's bill of rights is enacted and Louisiana16
jurors and those being considered for jurors shall be:17
(1) Treated fairly, courteously, and with respect.18
(2) Randomly selected for jury service, free from discrimination on the basis19
of race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, economic status, or physical disability.20 HLS 10RS-623 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 851
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(3) Provided with comfortable and convenient facilities, with special1
attention to the needs of jurors with physical disabilities.2
(4) Informed of trial schedules that are then kept.3
(5) Informed of the trial process and of the applicable law in plain and clear4
language as provided for by law.5
(6) Entitled to have questions and requests that arise or are made during6
deliberations as fully answered and met as allowed by law.7
(7) Offered appropriate assistance from the courtroom when they experience8
serious anxieties or stress, or any trauma, as a result of jury service.9
(8) Provided with meals and refreshments, at meal times and as appropriate.10
(9) Afforded short restroom breaks, as needed.11
(10) Called for service only as needed, and not retained unreasonable12
amounts of time, only not to get chosen for the jury.13
(11) Compensated if called for jury duty more than two times per month and14
retained past 11:00 am.15
(12) Fairly compensated for jury service as provided by law.16
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Abramson HB No. 851
Abstract: Establishes the "Juror's Bill of Rights".
Proposed law creates the "Juror's Bill of Rights" to provide for the fair treatment of jurors
in both civil and criminal trials.
Proposed law provides that jurors and prospective jurors shall be afforded certain rights as
follows:
(1)The right to be treated fairly, courteously, and with respect.
(2)The right to be randomly selected for jury service, and not be discriminated against
on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, economic status, or physical
disability.
(3)The right to comfortable and convenient facilities, with special attention to the needs
of jurors with physical disabilities. HLS 10RS-623 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 851
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(4)The right to be informed of reliable trial schedules.
(5)The right to be informed of the trial process and of the applicable law.
(6)The right to have questions and requests responded to as allowed by law.
(7)The right to assistance from the courtroom when experiencing serious anxieties or
stress, or any trauma as a result of jury service.
(8)The right to meals and refreshments as appropriate.
(9)The right to restroom breaks.
(10)The right to only be called for service as needed, and not kept unnecessarily.
(11)Jurors who are called for jury duty more than twice in one month shall be
compensated if they are detained past 11 a.m.
(12)The right to be fairly compensated as provided by law.
(Adds R.S. 13:3054)