Partner, Paul M. da Costa, Esq., Quoted in New Jersey Law Journal Article Discussing Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 411

Which Now Allows People Convicted of Serious Crimes to Serve as Jurors

On January 11, 2026, Executive Order 411 was signed by the former Governor Phil Murphy, which now allows anyone convicted of an indictable offense to be able to sit on a state court jury under New Jersey law. This order comes as an effort, as explained by Governor Murphy, to ensure the court’s juries offer a more truthful representation of the communities they serve in hope of preserving a strong, fair, and more inclusive democracy. There are approximately eight million jurors statewide, and this order will add another 350,000 names to the selection process.

Partner, Paul M. da Costa, interestingly pointed out that in respect of medical malpractice cases it could be argued that jurors who have a past of being a convicted felon and served in a penal system may view the physician patient relationship as one involving inherent rights that the patient is owed, especially since they themselves have had their rights stripped of them for the period of their convictions. These new members of the jury may see similarities between experiences and whether they will hold that against the patient or the physician – the defendant or the plaintiff – that will always depend on the facts of the given case.

Former Governor Phil Murphy expressed the opportunity to serve on a jury as a defining expression of United States citizenship and could be considered the most significant opportunity outside of voting to share in the responsibilities of democratic self-government.

Click here to read the full article.