Legal Definitions - juror

A juror is a person who serves on a jury during a trial. In New York, potential jurors are chosen randomly from a diverse group of people in the county or other governmental subdivision where the court is located. The names of potential jurors may come from lists of registered voters, licensed operators or registered owners of motor vehicles, state and local taxpayers, persons receiving state unemployment benefits, and volunteers. Jurors are then selected from a panel of potential candidates through the process of jury selection.

Each state has different requirements for jury service eligibility. For federal jury service, an individual must:

• Be a United States citizen
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Be a resident of the judicial county
• Be able to communicate in English
• Not have been convicted of a felony

For example, if a person is registered to vote in New York and is randomly selected to serve on a jury, they may be required to attend court and participate in the trial. If they meet the eligibility requirements and are selected from the panel of potential jurors, they will serve as a juror during the trial.