The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Maryland bill would allow people convicted of felonies to serve on juries

Proposal would restore the right unless conviction involved witness intimidation or jury tampering

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February 20, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. EST
The Maryland State Senate is seen last year. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post)

Maryland’s Democratic controlled legislature is poised to reform one of the country’s most restrictive laws barring ex-offenders from serving on juries, building on a commitment to restore rights to the formerly incarcerated that began seven years ago.

“This bill is the last piece of full citizenship,” said Del. Wanika B. Fisher (D-Prince George’s), who has sponsored the bill for the past three years only to see the proposal derailed over whether the right should be restored to all ex-offenders.