Chapter 3 - § 3.2 STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR JURY SERVICE

• Jurisdiction: Colorado

§ 3.2 STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR JURY SERVICE

Colorado

➢ General. The Colorado Uniform Jury Selection and Service Act, C.R.S. §§ 13-71-101, et seq., is the primary Colorado statutory authority regarding jury selection, eligibility, and qualifications.
➢ Number. A jury in a civil case shall consist of six persons, unless the parties agree to a smaller number not less than three. C.R.S. § 13-71-103; C.R.C.P. 48.

➢ Qualifications; Citizenship. United States citizens who reside or live in a county more than 50 percent of the time, regardless of whether registered to vote, are qualified to serve as jurors. Citizenship and residency status on the date that the jury service is to be performed controls. C.R.S. § 13-71-105(1). However, a person is not eligible to serve as a juror if he or she resides outside of the county with no intention of returning to the county at any time during the succeeding 12 months. C.R.S. § 13-71-105(2)(e).

➢ Qualifications; Age. A juror must be at least 18 years old. C.R.S. § 13-71-105(2)(a).

➢ Qualifications; English Ability. The juror must be able to read, speak, and understand the English language. C.R.S. § 13-71-105(2)(b).

➢ Qualifications; Deafness. Being deaf does not preclude an individual from serving as a juror. C.R.S. § 13-71-137.

➢ Qualifications; Colorado; Physical and Mental Capacity. The person must be able to "render satisfactory juror service." A person is capable of rendering such service if the person is mentally and physically able to perform a sedentary job requiring close attention for three consecutive business days for six hours per day, with short breaks in the morning and afternoon sessions. C.R.S. § 13-71-105(2)(c). Before dismissing a person with a disability, the court must interview the person to determine the reasonable accommodations, if any, consistent with federal and state law, that the court may make available to permit the person to perform the duties of a juror. C.R.S. § 13-71-104(3)(c); People v. Pineda, 40 P.3d 60 (Colo. App. 2001). See also C.R.S. § 13-71-137, which allows the court to provide a qualified interpreter to assist a juror who is deaf or hard of hearing.

➢ Qualifications; Colorado; Prior Service. A juror who has served as a trial or grand juror in any state or federal court within the preceding 12 months, or has been scheduled for juror service within the next 12 months, is excused. C.R.S. § 13-71-105(2)(f).

➢ Failure to Meet Statutory Qualifications. A juror may be

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