In California, Undocumented Immigrants can Drive, Practice Law, But Not Serve on Juries

October 7th, 2013

California Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a  bill that would have allowed non-citizens to sit on juries. He wrote in his veto message:

“Jury service, like voting, is quintessentially a prerogative and responsibility of citizenship. This bill would permit lawful permanent residents who are not citizens to serve on a jury. I don’t think that’s right.”

Brown signed into laws permitting non-citizens to obtain drivers licenses and law licenses.

I previously considered whether it would be constitutional, under the vicinage clause, to permit non-citizens to sit on criminal juries.