Mailing of Prospective Juror Questionnaires Begins Today

The Hawai`i State Judiciary today will begin mailing juror questionnaires to state residents.

The questionnaires are used to help select persons who may be eligible to serve as jurors next year.

The list of recipients comes from state data bases of those who have a Hawai`i driver’s license and from voter registration lists and state income tax data. After the list is completed, the Judiciary randomly selects names of those to receive each year’s questionnaire.

To be eligible to serve a person must be 18 years old, able to read and understand English, and a US citizen and resident of Hawai`i and the court circuit where the trial is being held. Persons who have been convicted of a felony in state or federal court and have not been pardoned are not eligible to serve.

This year approximately 235,000 questionnaires are being mailed out, including 70,000 to the Big Island, 85,000 to Oahu, 55,000 to Maui and 25,000 to Kauai.

For the first time this year, the questionnaires will include a Certification of Disability for Disqualification from Jury Service. This form must be filled out by those claiming a permanent disability that prohibits them from jury service. One section of the form must be completed by a doctor or physician’s assistant.

Anyone receiving a questionnaire has 10 days to complete and return it. Failure to do so may result in penalties.