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November 2004 |
Question:
My son is handicapped
and not physically able to drive a car. For that reason, he doesn't have
a driver's license. I know that they get the names of people to serve
on juries from people who are licensed to drive. He is very interested
in the judicial process and would like the opportunity of serving on a
jury some day. It doesn't seem right that just because someone doesn't
have a driver's license, they are not on the list of people who can be
chosen to serve on a jury.
Answer:
In Florida, juries
are selected from the list of adults who have driver's licenses or identification
cards issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (DHSMV).
You are absolutely correct that a person who does not drive should not
be excluded from the potential jury pool. The good news is that people
such as your son have two ways of getting on the list. One, he can apply
for a state identification card at DHSMV and he will automatically be
in the jury pool. Two, if your son is at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen
and a Florida resident, he can submit to the Clerk of Court an affidavit
swearing to these facts and we will add his name to the jury pool. Visit
our office and we will be glad to supply him with the affidavit to execute
and submit. Your son is to be commended for his civic-mindedness. Thank
you for your inquiry.