ImmigrationGov. Jerry Brown: only U.S. citizens on juries

Published 8 October 2013

In recent days, Governor Jerry Brown of California approved bills allowing driver’s permits to illegal immigrants and allowing illegal immigrants with a law degree to practice law in the state. Yesterday, however, he drew a tight line around jury service by vetoing a bill which would have made it possible for legal immigrants who are not citizens to serve on juries.

In recent days, Governor Jerry Brown of California approved bills allowing driver’s permits to illegal immigrants and allowing illegal immigrants with a law degree to practice law in the state.

Yesterday, however, he drew a tight line around jury service by vetoing a bill which would have made it possible for legal immigrants who are not citizens to serve on juries.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the governor said the bill went too far.

“Jury service, like voting, is quintessentially a prerogative and responsibility of citizenship,” Brown wrote in his veto message. “This bill would permit lawful permanent residents who are not citizens to serve on a jury. I don’t think that’s right.”

Assemblyman Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) told the Times he was disappointed that the governor vetoed the jury bill. “Lawful permanent immigrants are part of the fabric of our communities, and they benefit from the protections of our laws, so it is fair and just that they be asked to share in the obligation to do jury duty, just as they serve in our courts, schools, police departments and armed forces,” Wieckowski said. “I don’t see anything wrong with imposing this civic obligation on immigrants who can spend the rest of their lives in the United States.”

Democratic lawmakers who supported the jury bill argued that it would diversify the jury pool and allow noncitizens facing trial to have a jury that includes their peers.

“I believe that allowing noncitizens who are lawfully present in the United States is a desirable reform for California,” said Ingrid Eagly, an assistant professor at the UCLA School of Law. “I do not see any legal obstacles to the inclusion of noncitizens on juries in California.”

State Senator Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) argued that serving as a juror is a special calling that warrants the special standing that citizenship provides. He noted that other countries have different standards for guilt, innocence, and due process.

“Allowing non-citizens to serve on juries threatens the integrity of our judicial system,” Anderson told the Times. “In this country, we believe in due process and you’re innocent until proven guilty. Having non-citizens on a jury will deny people from getting a fair trial.”