2016 Hawaii Revised Statutes
TITLE 32. COURTS AND COURT OFFICERS
612. Jurors
612-4 Grounds of qualification and disqualification.

§612-4 Grounds of qualification and disqualification. (a) A prospective juror is qualified to serve as a juror if the prospective juror:

(1) Is a citizen of the United States and of the State;

(2) Is at least eighteen years old;

(3) Is a resident of the circuit; and

(4) Is able to read, speak, and understand the English language.

(b) A prospective juror is disqualified to serve as a juror if the prospective juror:

(1) Is incapable, by reason of the prospective juror's disability, of rendering satisfactory jury service; but a prospective juror claiming this disqualification may be required to submit a physician's, physician assistant's, or advanced practice registered nurse's certificate as to the disability, and the certifying physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse is subject to inquiry by the court at its discretion;

(2) Has been convicted of a felony in a state or federal court and not pardoned; or

(3) Fails to meet the qualifications in subsection (a). [L 1973, c 191, pt of §1; gen ch 1985; am L 1996, c 168, §1; am L 2007, c 122, §3; am L 2009, c 151, §22; am L 2014, c 45, §15]

Cross References

Disqualification of judges, see §601-7.

Case Notes

Membership in police force no disqualification. 187 F.2d 719 (1951).

Fact that jury commissioners rejected for service with the grand jury persons convicted of misdemeanors though rejection was not legally required, did not invalidate jury list. 105 F. Supp. 727 (1952).

Jury competence is an individual rather than a group or class matter. 105 F. Supp. 727 (1952).

A juror is not disqualified to sit in a murder trial because juror is a remote connection by marriage of the deceased. 3 H. 381 (1872).

Reference to race permitted under prior laws. 5 H. 501 (1885).

Person holding commission as special constable, unpaid, not disqualified. 8 H. 10 (1890).

Serving in jury not considered holding public office and legislator qualified. 8 H. 434 (1892).

Juror's opinion formed on general talk leaving unconscious tendency one way or another, or find juror has sufficient knowledge of English though unable to define "impartial", etc. 20 H. 7 (1910).

Demand for trial by jury in prayer of complaint insufficient. 24 H. 777 (1919).

Action to quiet title, trial by jury. 28 H. 1 (1924), aff'd 7 F.2d 325 (1925).

Examination on voir dire, right to reject not to select. 30 H. 697 (1929).

Right to trial by jury, in partition. 30 H. 860 (1929).

Subdivision (1) does not include sex. In the absence of a showing of improper motive or injury to defendant, the fixing by the jury commission of a ratio between men and women to be included on the jury list, although irregular and not authorized by statute, does not warrant a quashal of an indictment. 45 H. 247, 365 P.2d 460 (1961).

Where prospective jurors were able to speak and understand English, trial court properly refused to excuse jurors for cause. 80 H. 107, 905 P.2d 613 (1995).