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HF 3336

Certain felons made ineligible to serve as jurors in criminal cases.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Paul Novotny

The bill disqualifies individuals with certain felony convictions from serving as jurors in Minnesota criminal trials to protect juror reliability and public trust.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy
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Bill Summary · HF 3336

Summary of HF 3336 (2025-2026) – Minnesota

Title

Certain felons made ineligible to serve as jurors in criminal cases.

Purpose and Intent

HF 3336 seeks to restrict the eligibility of certain individuals with felony convictions from serving as jurors in Minnesota criminal cases. The bill aims to ensure juror reliability and public trust in the jury system by disqualifying specific felon categories from participation.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Juror Eligibility: Establishes criteria under which individuals with felony convictions are deemed ineligible to serve on juries in criminal trials.
  • Scope of Felony Disqualifications: Details which felony offenses or characteristics (e.g., certain types of felonies, recency of conviction, or other statutory qualifiers) render a person ineligible to serve as a juror.
  • Exemptions or Exceptions (if any): Specifies whether any exceptions exist (e.g., pardons, expungements, or restoration of civil rights) that could restore eligibility to serve as a juror.
  • Administration and Implementation: Outlines who administers juror qualification and the process for determining eligibility, including potential screening during jury selection or prior to service.
  • Conforming References: Updates or aligns related statutes to reflect the new eligibility rules for jurors.

Note: The exact text of the provisions (e.g., the list of qualifying felonies, durations since conviction, and restoration of rights provisions) is not provided in the summary information. The bill’s precise language would specify the eligibility criteria and any defined timelines or restoration mechanisms.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Individuals with Felony Convictions: Those convicted of certain felonies meeting the specified criteria would be disqualified from serving as jurors in criminal cases.
  • Jurors and Jury Pool: The pool of potential jurors for Minnesota criminal trials would be altered by excluding ineligible felons, potentially affecting gender, race, and geographic representation depending on the distribution of eligible individuals.
  • Courts and Court Administrators: Courts would implement the new eligibility requirements, including screening and eligibility determinations, which could affect voir dire practices and juror qualification workflows.
  • Defendants and Prosecution: Impacts on trial dynamics may arise if juror composition changes due to eligibility rules; however, the standard of impartiality and reliability of jurors is the stated objective.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Referral: HF 3336 was introduced and referred on May 17, 2025, to the Public Safety Finance and Policy committee.
  • Next Steps: As a bill in the Minnesota Legislature, it would undergo committee consideration, potential amendments, floor debate, and votes in both chambers. If passed, it would be sent to the governor for signature or veto.
  • Effective Date: The summary does not specify an effective date; the bill would typically establish an effective date within the enacted text, or apply upon passage and signing unless otherwise stated.

Additional Notes

  • The bill lists Paul Novotny as a co-sponsor.
  • Detailed statutory language (e.g., exact felonies and thresholds) will determine the operational impact and any compliance requirements for courts and potential jurors.

If you’d like, I can provide a more precise summary once the bill’s full text or fiscal note is available, including the exact disqualifying criteria and any restoration provisions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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