Whether you can do jury duty with a felony conviction depends on three things: the court that summoned you, the state where you were convicted, and whether you have finished your sentence or had your civil rights restored. Federal court uses one nationwide rule. States range from Maine, which has never excluded anyone with a felony record, to nearly 20 states that impose a lifetime ban unless you take formal steps to restore your rights.
The Federal Rule
Federal courts follow a single standard under the Jury Selection and Service Act. You are disqualified from a federal grand or trial jury if you have a pending felony charge or a conviction for a crime punishable by more than one year in prison, unless your civil rights have been restored.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1865 – Qualifications for Jury Service
The part people miss: whether your rights count as restored is decided by the law of the state where you were convicted, not the state where you now live.2United States Courts. Juror Qualifications, Exemptions and Excuses Convicted in a state that automatically restores rights when a sentence ends? You are federally eligible once that sentence is complete. Convicted in a state that requires a petition or imposes a permanent ban? That restriction follows you into federal court even if you have since moved somewhere more lenient. Restoration can happen through any mechanism the conviction state provides: automatic reinstatement, a court order, a governor’s pardon, or completion of the sentence.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1865 – Qualifications for Jury Service
How Your State Decides
State courts set their own rules, and a felony that permanently disqualifies you in one state may not matter at all next door. State approaches fall into four groups.
No Felony Exclusion
A small number of states place no jury restriction on people with felony records. Maine has never excluded them and is unique in that respect. Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and North Dakota also impose no felony-based disqualification. If you live in one of these states, a felony alone will not keep you off a jury.
Automatic Restoration After Sentence
Roughly a dozen states restore jury eligibility automatically once you have finished incarceration, parole, and probation. Alaska, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin follow this model. No paperwork, no petition. Eligibility returns when supervision ends.
California and Florida also restore eligibility after sentence completion, but with carve-outs. California continues to disqualify anyone currently on parole, probation, or mandated supervision, and permanently bars anyone required to register as a sex offender based on a felony conviction. Florida excludes people convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense from automatic restoration.
Fixed Waiting Periods
Some states disqualify you for a set number of years after your sentence ends. Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Oregon use a version of this approach. The length and starting point of the wait vary. Oregon, for instance, applies a five-year exclusion from criminal trial juries for certain misdemeanors involving dishonesty or violence.
Permanent Bans Unless Rights Are Restored
Nearly 20 states impose a lifetime jury ban after a felony conviction. Finishing your sentence does not restore eligibility on its own. You must take affirmative steps through a court petition, a pardon, or a similar process. Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming all fall here. Arizona applies a permanent ban after a second felony conviction. This is the largest group of states, and it is where people most often assume they can never serve without realizing a restoration process exists.
Misdemeanors That Can Also Disqualify
Felonies get the attention, but certain misdemeanors also block jury service in some places. Texas disqualifies anyone convicted of misdemeanor theft. The District of Columbia excludes people with pending misdemeanor charges. Oregon bars people convicted of misdemeanors involving dishonesty or violence from criminal juries for five years. Alabama uses the broader concept of “moral turpitude,” which can sweep in misdemeanors. West Virginia disqualifies anyone convicted of perjury regardless of how it was charged. If you have a misdemeanor on your record, check your state’s jury qualification statute rather than assuming only felonies count.
Getting Your Eligibility Back
If you live in a state with a permanent ban or a waiting period, several routes exist. None happen automatically.
Court Petition to Restore Civil Rights
The most common route is filing a petition in the county where you were convicted, asking the court to restore your civil rights. You generally need to show that you have completed every part of your sentence, including fines and restitution, and that your record has stayed clean since. Filing fees vary widely, often running from roughly $200 to $450. Some states require a hearing; others decide on paperwork alone.
“Civil rights” usually refers to a bundle: voting, holding public office, jury service, and sometimes firearm possession. Restoring one does not necessarily restore all of them. Some states let you check which specific rights you want reinstated. Getting your vote back does not automatically mean jury eligibility comes with it. Read the petition carefully and confirm that jury service is included.
Certificates of Rehabilitation or Good Conduct
Some states issue formal documents that serve as proof your rights have been restored. Names vary by jurisdiction. Once granted, the certificate acts as official evidence you can present to a court clerk when summoned.
Governor’s Pardon
A pardon from the state’s governor restores civil rights in most states, jury service included. Pardons are harder to obtain than court petitions and typically require a formal application, a waiting period, and review by a pardon board. Not a realistic first option for most people, but worth knowing about if other paths are closed.
Expungement or Record Sealing
Expunging or sealing a conviction removes it from public view, and in many states that effectively restores the associated civil rights. If the conviction no longer appears on your record, it cannot serve as a basis for disqualification. Fees range from nothing to several hundred dollars. Not every felony qualifies, and some states exclude violent or sexual offenses.
If You Get a Jury Summons
You must respond to a jury summons even if you believe a felony disqualifies you. Ignoring it is not an option. The summons will include a juror qualification questionnaire that asks directly about felony convictions, and federal law requires you to answer every question truthfully. Willfully misrepresenting a material fact on that form is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to three days in jail, community service, or any combination of the three. Failing to appear after being summoned carries the same potential penalties.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1864 – Drawing of Names From the Master Jury Wheel; Completion of Juror Qualification Form
If your conviction disqualifies you under your state’s law, the court will excuse you after reviewing your questionnaire. This is routine and carries no additional penalty. If your rights have been restored, bring documentation. A certificate of restoration, proof of pardon, or a court order reinstating your rights gives the clerk something concrete to verify. Without it, you may be excused unnecessarily or face delays while the court checks your status.
Voir Dire and Being Struck From the Panel
Being legally eligible does not guarantee you will sit on a jury. During voir dire, the questioning process where attorneys evaluate potential jurors, courts expect honest disclosure of criminal history when asked. Concealing a conviction during voir dire can result in a mistrial if discovered later, and courts have treated such concealment as creating a presumption of bias.
Attorneys can use peremptory challenges to remove you without stating a reason. A prior felony, even one that does not legally disqualify you, gives attorneys a practical reason to strike. Prosecutors sometimes view jurors with felony histories as potentially sympathetic to defendants; defense attorneys may worry about the opposite. Being struck is not personal and does not affect your eligibility for future summonses. It only means you will not sit on that particular case.