By Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog
Here’s a gem to help round out your week…
From the same guy who brought you a “rape by fraud” bill, Save Jerseyans, here’s the bulk of the original statement for a bill recently repackaged as A-1440, formally A-3134, legislation reintroduced by Asm. Troy Singleton (D-Burlco) on Thursday:
“This bill expands the sources from which the single juror source list is compiled annually by the Assignment Judge of each county. At present, N.J.S.A.2B:20-2 provides that the names of persons eligible for jury service shall be selected from a merger of the following lists: registered voters, licensed drivers, filers of State gross income tax returns and filers of homestead rebate or credit application forms.
This bill expands that category of lists from which a single juror source list is compiled to include recipients of cash assistance or food stamps [emphasis added] pursuant to a federal or State program. The bill directs the Division of Family Development in the Department of Human Services to provide these lists annually to the Assignment Judge of each county. “
Now, I don’t want to assume a specific rationale for this legislation without first hearing from Asm. Singleton (I’m fair to a fault, I know!), but given everything circulating in the public discourse concerning jury composition and procedure following two high profile grand jury decisions, one can’t help but think he’s trying to make a statement here?
Is he saying that New Jersey juries aren’t fair as-is?
In Troy’s defense, he is a co-sponsor of Shaneen’s Law. (A3608). I understand the need for THAT reform. I’m looking forward to hearing what he has to say on this one…
The dumbing down of America continues.