North Carolina § 9-3 - Qualifications of prospective jurors.

§ 9-3. Qualifications of prospective jurors.

All persons are qualified to serve as jurors and to be included on the master jury list who are citizens of the State and residents of the county, who have not served as jurors during the preceding two years or who have not served a full term of service as grand jurors during the preceding six years, who are 18 years of age or over, who are physically and mentally competent, who can understand the English language, who have not been convicted of a felony or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to an indictment charging a felony (or if convicted of a felony or having pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to an indictment charging a felony have had their citizenship restored pursuant to law), and who have not been adjudged non compos mentis. Persons not qualified under this section are subject to challenge for cause. History (1806, c. 694, P.R.; Code, ss. 1722, 1723; 1889, c. 559; 1897, cc. 117, 539; 1899, c. 729; Rev., s. 1957; C.S., s. 2312; 1947, c. 1007, s. 1; 1967, c. 218, s. 1; 1971, c. 1231, s. 1; 1973, c. 230, ss. 1, 2; 1977, c. 711, s. 10; 2011-42, s. 1; 2012-180, s. 3; 2013-148, s. 1.) Cross References. - For constitutional provision relating to jury service, see N.C. Const., Art. I, § 26. Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2011-42, s. 1, effective July 1, 2011, deleted "hear and" preceding "understand the English language" near the middle of the section. Session Laws 2012-180, s. 3, effective July 12, 2012, inserted "master" before "jury list". Session Laws 2013-148, s. 1, effective January 1, 2014, inserted "or who have not served a full term of service as grand jurors during the preceding six years" in the first sentence.