Selection of prospective jurors. (a) Preparation of master list of prospective jurors.-- (1) At least annually the jury selection commission shall prepare a master list of prospective
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
Section: 4521
Jurisdiction: PA
Bluebook Citation: 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4521
SUBCHAPTER B SELECTION AND CUSTODY OF JURORS Sec. 4521. Selection of prospective jurors. 4521.1. Statewide jury information system. 4522. List of qualified jurors. 4523. List of disqualified jurors. 4524. Selection of jurors for service. 4525. Equipment used for selection of jurors. 4526. Challenging compliance with selection procedures. 4527. Effect of verdict on jury selection errors. Cross References. Subchapter B is referred to in section 2124 of this title. § 4521. Selection of prospective jurors. (a) Preparation of master list of prospective jurors.-- (1) At least annually the jury selection commission shall prepare a master list of prospective
jurors that shall contain the most recent available address for prospective jurors. (2) The list shall also contain all voter registration lists for the county, which lists
may be incorporated by reference, or names from such other lists which in the opinion
of the commission will provide a number of names of prospective jurors which is equal
to or greater than the number of names contained in the voter registration list. (3) The commission may, but will not be required to, supplement the master list of prospective
jurors to include, without being limited to, persons in any of the following categories: (i) Persons listed in telephone, city, municipal directories and similar directories. (ii) Persons in the county participating in any State, county or local program authorized
by law and, to the extent such names are available, persons participating in any Federal
program authorized by law. (iii) Persons who are on school census lists. (iv) Any other person whose name does not appear in the master list of prospective jurors
and who meets the qualifications for jurors set forth in this chapter and who makes
application to the commission to be listed on the master list of prospective jurors. (v) Persons who appear on the list provided to the county pursuant to section 4521.1 (relating
to Statewide jury information system) may be used to supplement or substitute the
master jury list. (b) Maintenance of and access to master list of prospective jurors.-- The group of names compiled as set forth in subsection (a) shall constitute the master
list of prospective jurors. The list shall be open to the public for inspection. (c) Selection of names for jury service.-- At least once each year the commission shall select at random from the master list
of prospective jurors the number of names designated by the president judge pursuant
to court orders issued under section 4531 (relating to issuance of court orders for
jurors). (d) Juror qualification form.-- (1) The commission may mail to each person whose name has been selected in the manner
set forth in subsection (c) a juror qualification form devised by the commission in
such manner that the commission may determine from the answers to the questions on
the form whether or not the prospective juror is qualified. The questions asked in
such juror qualification form shall be limited to matters reasonably calculated to
permit a determination of the person's qualifications to serve as a juror. (2) The juror qualification form shall be executed by the prospective juror and shall
plainly and conspicuously state thereon that its execution is subject to the penalty
for perjury. If the person is unable to fill out the form, another person may fill
it out for him, indicate that he has done so, and the reason therefor. The prospective
juror shall mail or deliver the completed form to the commission. (3) If the form does not appear to be properly executed, the commission shall return the
form to the prospective juror with instructions to make such additions or corrections
as may be necessary and return it to the commission within the time specified. (4) Any person who fails to return the juror qualification form as directed may be summoned
by the commission to appear at the offices of the commission to fill out a juror qualification
form or to resolve any ambiguity contained therein. (e) Selection in certain counties.-- In those counties which do not use the juror qualification form as provided for in
subsection (d), the selection of persons for jury service shall be made in accordance
with section 4524 (relating to selection of jurors for service) and provision shall
be made for the collection of information with the summons in order to comply with
sections 4502 (relating to qualifications of jurors) and 4503 (relating to exemptions
from jury duty). (f) Compelling compliance with section.-- On application by the commission, the court shall compel compliance with subsections
(a)(2), (3) and (4) and (d). Officials of political subdivisions and Commonwealth
officials having custody, possession or control of lists of names described in this
section shall, upon request of the commission, make such lists available to the commission
for inspection, reproduction and copying but shall not be required or permitted to: (1) provide the commission with information other than the name, mailing address and municipality
of residence of such person; or (2) provide the commission with or otherwise disclose records or information which the
Attorney General by regulation determines to be privileged from disclosure. (Dec. 20, 1982, P.L.1409, No.326, eff. 60 days; July 17, 2007, P.L.123, No.37, eff.
120 days) 2007 Amendment. Act 37 amended subsec. (a). Cross References. Section 4521 is referred to in sections 4521.1, 4522 of this title.
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