You and jury service
You are not automatically excluded from serving as a juror in a trial.
Can I be excluded if I want to serve?
Yes. You may not get the opportunity to serve all or part of your duty because:
1. the judge decides that your disability means you are not capable
of being an effective juror in a particular trial;
2. the lawyer for either the defence or prosecution challenges your
effectiveness as a juror, (and the judge upholds the challenge) or
exercises their right to challenge up to six potential jurors without
giving reasons and you are one of these six.
Can I object to being excluded?
Absolutely, if the exclusion is because of your disability. Only a judge can determine if you are able to act as an effective juror. It's up to you, during the selection and objection process, to give a well-presented explanation of your abilities to listen, observe and make accurate and discerning judgements.
If you are discharged anyway, the discharge applies only to the particular summons or case. You may be summonsed again in future.
Do I have to serve?
Not necessarily. You can write to the Registrar of the Court and ask to be excused if your disability would make you incapable of being an effective juror or if serving would cause you undue hardship or serious inconvenience.
For example, it may be difficult for you to get to the court or to see the evidence presented.
If you have any evidence of your blindness then photocopy and include it, but this is not legally required. Your word is usually enough.
Where can I find out more?
You can contact the jury officer at your local court. Look in the blue government pages of your phone book under Courts Department. Help with advocacy is also available from the Association of Blind Citizens of NZ.