House committee pushes for exemption from jury duty

INDIANAPOLIS--During Tuesday's House Judiciary Committee meeting, House Minority Leader Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, pushed to have Indiana law changed so that anyone 75 years old or older could be exempt from jury duty.

Bosma said he decided the system needed a change after an 88-year-old constituent of his had difficulty reaching the appropriate authorities to explain why he couldn't serve on a jury. The bill is House Bill 1686.

It's not just an inconvenience; it's something that really worries them, said Bosma.

Bosma said he only supported this exemption as an option, not a requirement. If those over 75 still want to serve on a jury, they have that right.

The committee worried how people's ages were going to be checked so that nobody wrongfully used this exemption. Bosma said he plans to work with judges to figure out what would be easiest for both the courts and the people, without requiring more paperwork.

The committee approved the measure 9-1.