Governor Hochul must oppose bill allowing felons to serve on juries due to racist implications

As the state Legislature wrapped up its session this year, they approved the Jury of Our Peers Act; it is crucial for Gov. Hochul to veto it.

The bill aims to repeal New York’s ban on felons serving on juries, going beyond the current process that allows those with a single felony conviction to have their eligibility for jury service restored.

The sponsors of the bill, state Sen. Cordell Cleare and Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry, argue that this would benefit black New Yorkers by diversifying jury compositions.

However, in reality, the bill would primarily tip the scales of justice further in favor of criminals.

Felons would still likely not serve as potential jurors; instead, prosecutors would need to use limited challenges during jury selection to exclude them.

In essence, defense attorneys would gain an advantage by having more felons included in the jury pool.

Moreover, equating convicted felons with black citizens is not only misguided but also racist.

The bill’s sponsors claim that the jury service ban perpetuates mass incarceration and is biased against low-income black individuals, but it is essential to consider the impact on crime victims.

It is crucial for Gov. Hochul to veto this bill to uphold fairness in the justice system and ensure that all victims, regardless of race, have a fair chance in court.

Writer, Hannah E. Meyers, emphasizes the importance of fair treatment for all individuals involved in legal proceedings, regardless of their background or status.