Jury Act 1995 (Qld)

Jury Act 1995

An Act about juries

Part 1    Preliminary

1   Short title

This Act may be cited as the Jury Act 1995.

2   Commencement

This Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.

3   Definitions—the dictionary

The dictionary in schedule 3 defines particular words used in this Act.

Part 2    Citizen’s obligation to perform jury service

4   Qualification to serve as juror

(1)A person is qualified to serve as a juror at a trial within a jury district (qualified for jury service) if—

(a)the person is enrolled as an elector; and

(b)the person’s address as shown on the electoral roll is within the jury district; and

(c)the person is eligible for jury service.

(2)A person who is enrolled as an elector is eligible for jury service unless the person is mentioned in subsection (3).

(3)The following persons are not eligible for jury service—

(a)the Governor;

(b)a member of Parliament;

(c)a local government mayor or other councillor;

(d)a person who is or has been a judge or magistrate (in the State or elsewhere);

(e)a person who is or has been a presiding member of the Land and Resources Tribunal;

(f)a lawyer actually engaged in legal work;

(g)a person who is or has been a police officer (in the State or elsewhere);

(h)a detention centre employee;

(i)a corrective services officer;

(j)a person who is 70 years or more, if the person has not elected to be eligible for jury service under subsection (4);

(k)a person who is not able to read or write the English language;

(l)a person who has a physical or mental disability that makes the person incapable of effectively performing the functions of a juror;

(m)a person who has been convicted of an indictable offence, whether on indictment or in a summary proceeding;

(n)a person who has been sentenced (in the State or elsewhere) to imprisonment.

(4)A person who is 70 years or more may elect to be eligible for jury service in the way prescribed under a regulation.

5   Obligation to perform jury service

A person who is qualified for jury service is liable to perform jury service unless the person is excused from jury service by a judge or the sheriff.

Editor’s note—

For power to excuse from jury service, see sections 19 to 23.

6   Verdict not to be questioned on ground of qualification of juror

The fact that a person who is not qualified for jury service serves on a jury is not a ground for questioning the verdict.

Part 3    Jury districts and jury rolls

7   Jury districts—establishment and boundaries

(1)A jury district may be established or abolished under a regulation.

(2)The boundaries of a jury district are as defined under a regulation.

8   Assignment of responsibility for jury districts to other sheriffs and persons

(1)Responsibility for carrying out the sheriff…