Felony convictions usually disqualify you from jury duty, but the rules depend on your state and whether your rights were restored
Most states bar people with felony convictions from serving on juries. The specific rules vary: some states disqualify anyone with an active felony conviction, others disqualify anyone who has ever been convicted of a felony, and a few disqualify only people convicted of crimes involving dishonesty or moral turpitude. A handful of states allow jury service after a set number of years have passed since conviction or after sentence completion.
If you have been convicted of a felony and receive a jury summons, you will likely need to disclose this during jury selection or in response to the summons itself. Lying about a criminal record can result in perjury charges. The court will then determine whether you are disqualified under your state's law.
Some states allow felony rights restoration through a formal process — expungement, record sealing, or a governor's pardon — which may restore jury may be able to access. Others do not restore this right regardless of how much time has passed or how your life has changed since conviction.
Key Takeaways
- Most states disqualify people with felony convictions from jury duty, though the exact rule — whether it applies to all felonies or only certain types — varies by state.
- You must disclose a felony conviction when asked during jury selection or in response to a summons, even if you think it disqualifies you.
- Some states restore jury may be able to access through expungement, record sealing, or a pardon, while others do not restore this right under any circumstances.
- If you are unsure whether your conviction disqualifies you, contact your local court clerk or the jury office listed on your summons.
How states define disqualification for felony convictions
State jury laws fall into three broad categories. Some states disqualify anyone with a current felony conviction — meaning someone serving a sentence or under active supervision. Others disqualify anyone ever convicted of a felony, regardless of how long ago. A third group disqualifies only people convicted of felonies involving dishonesty, fraud, or crimes of moral turpitude, which typically means crimes involving deception or breach of trust.
A few states — including Maine, Vermont, and some others — allow jury service after a certain period has passed since conviction or after sentence completion. These waiting periods range from a few years to a decade or more, and the rules about what counts as "completion" vary. Some states count only release from prison; others count completion of probation or parole as well.
Your state's jury statute or court rules will specify which category applies. You can find this information in your state legislature's website, your state court system's website, or by calling the jury office listed on your summons.
What happens if you disclose a felony conviction on a summons
When you receive a jury summons, you will typically fill out a questionnaire asking about criminal history. Some questionnaires ask directly about felony convictions; others ask whether you have ever been convicted of a crime. You must answer truthfully. Providing false information on a jury questionnaire can result in perjury charges, contempt of court, or both.
If you disclose a felony conviction, the court will review your response against your state's disqualification rules. If you are disqualified, the court will excuse you from jury duty. If your state's rules are unclear or if there is a question about whether your specific conviction falls under the disqualification, the judge may ask you questions during jury selection (called voir dire) to clarify.
You do not need to volunteer information about a conviction if the questionnaire does not ask for it. However, if asked directly, you must answer truthfully.
Rights restoration and jury may be able to access
Some states allow people with felony convictions to restore certain civil rights, including jury may be able to access, through formal legal processes. The most common are expungement (erasing the conviction from your record), record sealing (making the record unavailable to the public), and gubernatorial pardon (forgiveness granted by the governor).
Expungement and sealing are not the same thing and do not have the same effect on jury duty. An expunged record is typically treated as if the conviction never happened, which may restore jury may be able to access. A sealed record is still accessible to courts and law enforcement, so it may not restore may be able to access. A pardon may or may not restore jury may be able to access depending on your state's law.
Not all states offer these processes, and may be able to access for them depends on the type of felony, how long ago the conviction occurred, and whether you have stayed out of trouble since. If you believe your rights may have been restored, contact your state's pardon board, your state bar association, or a criminal defense attorney who can review your specific situation.
Disqualification versus excusal for other reasons
A felony conviction is a disqualification — a legal bar to serving that applies to everyone in your category. This is different from an excusal, which is a reason the court may release you from jury duty in your particular case. Disqualifications are automatic; excusals are decided by the judge.
If you are disqualified due to a felony conviction, you do not need to request an excusal. The court will remove you from the jury pool once it learns of the conviction. If you are not disqualified but have a hardship — such as financial burden, medical condition, or caregiving responsibility — you can request an excusal, though the judge may or may not grant it.
What to do if you receive a summons and have a felony conviction
Read the summons and any attached questionnaire carefully. If it asks about criminal history, answer truthfully and completely. Include the type of felony, the year of conviction, and the state where you were convicted.
If you are unsure whether your conviction disqualifies you under your state's law, call the jury office or court clerk listed on the summons before the date you are due to respond. They can tell you whether you are disqualified and whether you need to appear in person or can respond by mail or phone.
Do not ignore a summons. Failure to respond can result in contempt of court charges and fines. If you are disqualified, responding truthfully will result in your excusal. If you are not disqualified, you may be called to serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a felony conviction automatically disqualify me from jury duty in every state?
No. Most states disqualify people with felony convictions, but the rules vary. Some states disqualify only people with active convictions, others disqualify anyone ever convicted of a felony, and a few allow service after a waiting period or after rights restoration. Check your state's jury statute or call your local court to learn the rule in your state.
What if my felony conviction was a long time ago?
In most states, the length of time since conviction does not matter — a felony disqualification is permanent unless your rights are formally restored. A few states allow jury service after a set number of years have passed. Your state court's website or jury office can tell you whether time affects disqualification in your state.
Can I lie about a felony conviction on a jury questionnaire?
No. Lying on a jury questionnaire is perjury and can result in criminal charges. If you are disqualified, answering truthfully will result in your excusal. If you are not disqualified under your state's law, you may be called to serve.
What is the difference between expungement and a pardon?
Expungement erases a conviction from your record as if it never happened, which typically restores jury may be able to access. A pardon is forgiveness granted by the governor but does not erase the record. Whether a pardon restores jury may be able to access depends on your state's law. Not all states offer expungement or pardons.
What should I do if I am unsure whether I am disqualified?
Call the jury office or court clerk listed on your summons. They can tell you whether your specific conviction disqualifies you under your state's law. Do not ignore the summons or fail to respond — that can result in contempt charges.