District of Columbia Jury System Act
PL 99-650 (H.R.2946), enacted 11/14/1986

PUBLIC LAW 99-650—NOV. 14, 1986 
100 STAT. 3635 
Public Law 99-650 
99th Congress 
An Act 
To establish an independent jury system for the Superior Court of the District of 
Nov. 14, 1986 
Columbia. 
[H.R. 2946] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. 
District of 
Columbia 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
Jury System Act. 
This Act may be cited as the "District of Columbia Jury System 
Act". 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA JURY SYSTEM. 
Chapter 19 of title 11 of the District of Columbia Code is amended 
to read as follows: 
"CHAPTER 19. JURIES AND JURORS 
Sec. 
11-1901. Declaration of policy. 
11-1902. Definitions. 
11-1903. Prohibition of discrimination. 
11-1904. Jury system plan. 
11-1905. Master juror list. 
11-1906. Qualification of jurors. 
11-1907. Summoning of prospective jurors. 
11-1908. Exclusion from jury service. 
11-1909. Deferral from jury service. 
11-1910. Challenging compliance with selection procedures. 
11-1911. Length of service. 
11-1912. Juror fees. 
11-1913. Protection of employment of jurors. 
11-1914. Preservation of records. 
11-1915. Fraud in the selection process. 
11-1916. Grand jury; additional grand jury. 
11-1917. Coordination and cooperation of courts. 
11-1918. Effect of invalidity. 
"CHAPTER 19. JURIES AND JURORS 
"§ 11-1901. Declaration of policy. 
"A jury selection system is hereby established for the Superior 
Court of the District of Columbia. All litigants entitled to trial by 
jury shall have the right to grand and petit juries selected at 
random from a fair cross section of the residents of the District of 
Columbia. In accordance with the provisions of this chapter, all 
qualified individuals shall have the opportunity to be considered for 
service on grand and petit juries in the District of Columbia and 
shall be obligated to serve as jurors when summoned for that 
purpose. 
"§ 11-1902. Definitions. 
"For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the follow-
ing meanings: 
100 STAT. 3636 
PUBLIC LAW 99-650—NOV. 14, 1986 
"(1) The term 'Board of Judges' means the chief judge and 
the associate judges of the Superior Court of the District of 
Columbia. 
"(2) The term 'chief judge' means the chief judge of the 
Superior Court of the District of Columbia. 
"(3) The term 'clerk' means the clerk of the Superior Court of 
the District of Columbia or any deputy clerk. 
.f;. 
"(4) The term 'Court' means the Superior Court of the District 
of Columbia and may include any judge of the Court acting in 
an official capacity. 
"(5) The term 'juror' means (A) any individual summoned to 
i; 
Superior Court for the purpose of serving on a jury; (B) any 
individual who is on call and available to report to Court to 
serve on a jury upon request; and (C) any individual whose 
, 
service on a jury is temporarily deferred. 
u 
"(6) The term 'jury' includes a grand or petit jury 
"(7) The term 'jury system plan' means the plan adopted by 
the Board of Judges of the Court, consistent with the provisions 
of this chapter, to govern the administration of the jury system. 
"(8) The term 'master juror list' means the consolidated list or 
lists compiled and maintained by the Board of Judges of the 
District of Columbia Courts which contains the names of 
prospective jurors for service in the Superior Court of the 
District of Columbia. 
"(9) The term 'random selection' means the selection of names 
of prospective jurors in a manner immune from the purposeful 
or inadvertent introduction of subjective bias, so that no rec-
ognizable class of the individuals on the list or lists from which 
the names are being selected can be purposefully or inadvert-
ently included or excluded. 
"(10) The term 'resident of the District of Columbia' means an 
individual who has resided or has been domiciled in the District 
of Columbia for not less than six months. 
"§ 11-1903. Prohibition of discrimination. 
"A citizen of the District of Columbia may not be excluded or 
disqualified from jury service as a grand or petit juror in the District 
of Columbia on account of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, 
ancestry, economic status, marital status, age, or (except as provided 
in this chapter) physical handicap. 
"§ 11-1904. Jury system plan. 
"(a) The Board of Judges shall adopt, implement, and as necessary 
modify, a written jury system plan for the random selection and 
service of grand and petit jurors in the Superior Court consistent 
with the provisions of this chapter. The adopted plan and any 
modifications shall be subject to a 30-day period of review by Con-
gress in the manner provided for an act of the Council under section 
602(cXl) of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Govern-
87 Stat. 813. 
mental Reorganization Act. The plan shall include— 
"(1) detailed procedures to be followed by the clerk of the 
Court in the random selection of names from the master juror 
list; 
"(2) provisions for a master jury wheel (or other device of like 
purpose and function) which shall be emptied and refilled at 
specified intervals, not to exceed 24 months; 
PUBLIC LAW 99-650—NOV. 14, 1986 
100 STAT. 3637 
"(3) provisions for the disclosure to the parties and the pubUc 
of the names of individuals selected for jury service, except in 
cases in which the chief judge determines that confidentiality is 
required in the interest of justice; and 
"(4) procedures to be followed by the clerk of the Court in 
assigning individuals to grand and petit juries. 
"(b) The jury system plan shall be administered by the clerk of the 
Court under the supervision of the Board of Judges. 
"§ 11-1905. Master juror list. 
"(a) The jury system plan shall provide for the compilation and 
maintenance by the Board of Judges of a master juror list from 
which names of prospective jurors shall be drawn. Such master juror 
list shall consist of the list of District of Columbia voters, and names 
from such other appropriate sources and lists as may be provided in 
the jury system plan. 
"(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon request of 
the Board of Judges any person having custody, possession, or 
control of any list required under subsection (a) shall provide such 
list to the Court, at cost, at all reasonable times. Each list shall 
contain the names and addresses of individuals on the list. Any list 
obtained by the Court under the provisions of this chapter may be 
used by the Court only for the selection of jurors pursuant to this 
chapter. 
"§11-1906. Qualification of jurors. 
"(a) The jury system plan shall provide for procedures for the 
random selection and qualification of grand and petit jurors from 
the master juror list. Such plan may provide for separate or joint 
qualification and summoning processes. 
"(bXD An individual shall be qualified to serve as a juror if that 
individual— 
"(A) is a resident of the District of Columbia; 
"(B) is a citizen of the United States; 
"(C) has attained the age of 18 years; and 
"(D) is able to read, speak, and understand the English 
language. 
"(2) An individual shall not be qualified to serve as a juror— 
"(A) if determined to be incapable by reason of physical or 
mental infirmity of rendering satisfactory jury service; or 
"(B) if that individual has been convicted of a felony or has a 
pending felony or misdemeanor charge, except that an individ-
ual disqualified for jury service by reason of a felony conviction 
may qualify for jury service not less than one year after the 
completion of the term of incarceration, probation, or parole 
following appropriate certification under procedures set out in 
the jury system plan. 
"(3) Any determination regarding qualification for jury service 
shall be made on the basis of information provided in the juror 
qualification form and any other competent evidence. 
"(c)(1) The jury system plan shall provide that a juror qualifica-
tion form be mailed to each prospective juror. The form and content 
of such juror qualification form shall be determined under the plan. 
Notarization of the juror qualification form shall not be required. 
"(2) An individual who fails to return a completed juror qualifica- Law 
tion form as instructed may be ordered by the Court to appear 
enforcement 
before the clerk to fill out such form, to appear before the Court and ^^^ crime. 
100 STAT. 3638 
PUBLIC LAW 99-650—NOV. 14, 1986 
Law 
enforcement 
and crime. 
Law 
enforcement 
and crime. 
show cause why he or she should not be held in contempt for failure 
to submit the qualification form, or both. An individual who fails to 
show good cause for such failure, or who without good cause fails to 
appear pursuant to a Court order, may be punished by a fine of not 
more than $300, by imprisonment for not more than seven days, or 
both. 
"(d) An individual who intentionally misrepresents a material fact 
on a juror qualification form for the purpose of avoiding or securing 
service as a juror may be punished by a fine of not more than $300, 
by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both. 
*
*
§ 11-1907. Summoning of prospective jurors. 
"(a) At such times as are determined under the jury system plan, 
the Court shall summon or cause to be summoned from among 
qualified individuals under section 11-1906 sufficient prospective 
jurors to fulfill requirements for petit and grand jurors for the 
Court. A summons shall require a prospective juror to report for 
possible jury service at a specified time and place unless advised 
otherwise by the Court. Service of prospective jurors may be made 
personally or by first-class, registered, or certified mail as deter-
mined under the plan. 
"(b) A prospective juror who fails to appear for jury duty may be 
ordered by the Court to appear and show cause why he or she should 
not be held in contempt for such failure to appear. A prospective 
juror who fails to show good cause for such failure, or who without 
good cause fails to appear pursuant to a Court order, may be 
punished by a fine of not more than $300, by imprisonment for not 
more than seven days, or both. 
"§ 11-1908. Exclusion from jury service. 
"(a) Subject to the provisions of this section and of sections 
11-1903, 11-1906, and 11-1909, no indivdual or class of individuals 
may be disqualified, excluded, excused, or exempt from service as a 
juror. 
"Ot)) An individual summoned for jury service may be: (1) excluded 
by the Court on the ground that that individual may be unable to 
render impartial jury service or that his or her service as a juror 
would be likely to disrupt the proceedings; (2) excluded upon 
peremptory challenge as provided by law; (3) excluded pursuant to 
the procedure specified by law upon a challenge by any party for 
good cause shown; or (4) excluded upon determination by the Court 
that his or her service as a juror would be likely to threaten the 
secrecy of the proceedings, or otherwise adversely affect the integ-
rity of jury deliberations. No person shall be excluded under clause 
(4) of this subsection unless the judge, in open Court, determines 
that such exclusion is warranted and that exclusion of that individ-
ual will not be inconsistent with sections 11-1901 and 11-1903 of this 
chapter. 
"(c) An individual excluded from a jury shall be eligible to sit on 
another jury if the basis for the initial exclusion would not be 
relevant to his or her ability to serve on such other jury. The 
procedures for challenges to and review of exclusions from jury 
service shall be set forth in the jury system plan. 
"§ 11-1909. Deferral from jury service. 
"A qualified prospective juror may be deferred from jury service 
only upon a showing of undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, 
public necessity, or temporary physical or mental disability which 
PUBLIC LAW 99-650—NOV. 14, 1986 
100 STAT. 3639 
would affect service as a juror. The procedure for requesting a 
deferral from jury service and the procedure and basis for granting 
a deferral shall be set forth in the master jury plan. 
"§ 11-1910. Challenging compliance with selection procedures. 
"(a) A party may challenge the composition of a jury by a motion 
for appropriate relief. A challenge shall be brought and decided 
before any individual juror is examined, unless the Court orders 
otherwise. The motion shall be in writing, supported by affidavit, 
and shall specify the facts constituting the grounds for the chal-
lenge. If the Court so determines, the motion may be decided on the 
basis of the affidavits filed with the challenge. If the Court orders 
trial of the challenge, witnesses may be examined on oath by the 
Court and may be so examined by either party. 
"(b) If the Court determines that in selecting a grand or petit jury 
there has been a substantial failure to comply with this chapter, the 
Court shall stay the proceedings pending the selection of a jury in 
conformity with this chapter, quash the indictment, or grant other 
appropriate relief. 
"(c) The procedures prescribed by this section are the exclusive 
means by which a person accused of a crime, the District of Colum-
bia, the United States, or a party in a civil case may challenge a jury 
on the ground that the jury was not selected in conformity with this 
chapter. Nothing in this section shall preclude any person from 
Discrimination, 
pursuing any other remedy, civil or criminal, which may be avail- prohibition, 
able for the vindication or enforcement of any law prohibiting 
discrimination on account of race, color, religion, sex, national 
origin, economic status, marital status, age, or physical handicap in 
the selection of individuals for service on grand or petit juries. 
"§ 11-1911. Length of service. 
"The length of service for grand and petit jurors shall be deter-
mined by the master jury plan. In any twenty-four month period an 
individual shall not be required to serve more than once as a grand 
or petit juror except as may be necessary by reason of the insuffi-
ciency of the master juror list or as ordered by the Court. 
"§11-1912. Juror fees. 
"(a) Notwithstanding section 602(a) of the District of Columbia 
Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act, grand and 87 Stat. 813. 
petit jurors serving in the Superior Court shall receive fees and 
expenses at rates established by the Council of the District of 
Columbia, except that such fees and expenses may not exceed the 
respective rates paid to such jurors in the federal system. 
"(b) A petit or grand juror receiving benefits under the laws of 
employment security of the District of Columbia shall not lose such 
benefits on account of performance of juror service. 
"(c) Employees of the United States or of any State or local State and local 
government who serve as grand or petit jurors and who continue to governments, 
receive regular compensation during the period of jury service shall 
not be compensated for jury service. Amounts representing re-
imbursement of expenses incurred in connection with jury service 
may be paid to such employees to the extent provided in the jury 
system plan. 
71-19A 0 - 89 - 7: a.. 3 Part5 
100 STAT. 3640 
PUBLIC LAW 99-650—NOV. 14, 1986 
Law 
enforcement 
and crime. 
Claims. 
Wages. 
"§ 11-1913. Protection of employment of jurors. 
"(a) An employer shall not deprive an employee of employment, 
threaten, or otherwise coerce an employee with respect to employ-
ment because the employee receives a summons, responds to a 
summons, serves as a juror, or attends Court for prospective jury 
service. 
"(b) An employer who violates subsection (a) is guilty of criminal 
contempt. Upon a finding of criminal contempt an employer may be 
fined not more than $300, imprisoned for not more than 30 days, or 
both, for a first offense, and may be fined not more than $5,000, 
imprisoned for not more than 180 days, or both, for any subsequent 
offense. 
"(c) If an employer discharges an employee in violation of subsec-
tion (a), the employee within 9 months of such discharge may bring 
a civil action for recovery of wages lost as a result of the violation, 
for an order of reinstatement of employment, and for damages. If an 
employee prevails in an action under this subsection, that employee 
shall be entitled to reasonable attorney fees fixed by the court. 
"§ 11-1914. Preservation of records. 
• s 
-
"(a) All records and lists compiled and maintained in connection 
with the selection and service of jurors shall be preserved for the 
;^-;jifl length of time specified in the jury system plan. 
'•' 
"(b) The contents of any records or lists used in connection with 
the selection process shall not be disclosed, except in connection 
with the preparation or presentation of a motion under § 11-1910, or 
until all individuals selected to serve as grand or petit jurors from 
such lists have been discharged. 
, 
,, 
"§ 11-1915. Fraud in the selection process. 
"An individual who commits fraud in the processing or selection 
of jurors or prospective jurors, either by causing any name to be 
inserted into any list maliciously or by causing any name to be 
deleted from any list maliciously (including malicious data entry or 
the altering of any data processing machine or any set of instruc-
tions or programs which control data processing equipment for such 
malicious purpose), is guilty of the crime of jury tampering, and, 
upon conviction, may be punished by a fine of not more than 
,. 
$10,000, imprisonment for not more than two years, or both. This 
section shall not limit any other provisions of law concerning the 
crime of jury tampering. 
., 
. 
"§ 11-1916. Grand jury; additional grand jury. 
"(a) A grand jury serving in the District of Columbia may take 
cognizance of all matters brought before it regardless of whether an 
indictment is returnable in the Federal or District of Columbia 
courts. 
"(b) If the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia 
certifies in writing to the chief judge that an additional grand jury is 
required, the judge may in his or her discretion order an additional 
grand jury summoned which shall be drawn at such time as he or 
she designates. Unless discharged by order of the judge, the addi-
tional grand jury shall serve until the end of the term for which it is 
drawn. 
PUBLIC LAW 99-650—NOV. 14, 1986 
100 STAT. 3641 
"§11-1917. Coordination and cooperation of courts. 
"To the extent feasible, the Superior Court and the United States 
District Court shall consider the respective needs of each court in 
the qualification, selection, and service of jurors. Nothing in this 
Contracts. 
chapter shall be construed to prevent such courts from entering into 
any agreement for sharing resources and facilities (including auto-
mated data processing hardware and software, forms, postage, and 
other resources). 
"§ 11-1918. Effect of invalidity. 
"If any provision of this Act or the application of that provision is 
held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision or 
application of this Act which can be given effect without the invalid 
provision or application.". 
SEC. 3. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. 
28 USC 1869. 
Section 1869(f) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by 
striking out "except that for purposes of sections 1861,1862,1866(c), 
1866(d), and 1867 of this chapter such terms shall include the 
Superior Court of the District of Columbia". 
SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the provisions of this Act 
28 USC 1869 
shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
^ote. 
(b) Upon enactment of this Act, the Board of Judges shall have 
authority to promulgate and adopt a jury system plan in accordance 
with this Act and the Court and the clerk of the Court shall have 
authority to take all necessary actions preliminary to the assump-
tion of the administration of an independent jury system under this 
Act. 
Approved November 14, 1986. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 2946: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 99-324 (Comm. on the District of Columbia). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 99-473 (Comm. on Governmental Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 131 (1985): Oct. 28, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 132 (1986): Oct. 18, considered and passed Senate, amended; House con-
curred in Senate amendments.