MarylandMaryland law changes when convictions disqualify people from jury service
Starting October 1, 2026, people serving sentences for certain serious convictions, or convicted of specified crimes, would not qualify for Maryland jury service.
What it does
People convicted of crimes punishable by more than one year would be disqualified while serving their sentence, including parole or probation.
Convictions for perjury, witness intimidation, jury intimidation, or crimes under Maryland’s Title 8 would disqualify people from jury service.
Argument forPeople who have completed sentences for other serious crimes may have a path to jury service once they are no longer serving the sentence.
Argument againstPeople convicted of the listed crimes may remain barred from jury service even after they finish serving their sentences.
More detail
A person convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison would be disqualified from jury service while serving the sentence, including parole or probation. This applies to convictions in a federal or Maryland court of record for crimes punishable by more than one year in prison. This rule takes effect October 1, 2026.
A conviction for perjury, witness intimidation, jury intimidation, or a crime under Title 8 of Maryland’s Criminal Law Article would disqualify a person from jury service. The rule applies to convictions in a federal or Maryland court of record. This rule takes effect October 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 31Enacted under Article II, Section 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution - Chapter 875Became Law
- Apr 13Returned Passed
- Apr 13Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Apr 13Favorable Adopted Second Reading PassedMinor
- Apr 11Favorable Report by JudiciaryMinor
- Apr 2
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 6Referred JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 5Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Mar 3Second Reading Passed
- Mar 3Favorable AdoptedMinor
- Mar 2Favorable Report by Judicial ProceedingsMinor
- Feb 22
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 27Hearing 2/03 at 2:00 p.m.
- Jan 27Hearing canceled
- Jan 23Hearing 2/03 at 1:00 p.m.
- Jan 22First Reading Judicial ProceedingsIntroduced
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