Q: i got a summons for jury service, completely deaf in left ear. Is that a permanent disqualification?
In order for me to hear correctly I would need a surgically implanted hearing device, do to the fact of this physical disability I would not be able to fully and completely comprehend the hearing of the trial. Does this make me permanently disqualified from jury service?
A:
No. What you are asking is whether a physical disability (being deaf in one ear) exempts you from jury service. Courts are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. People who are deaf, blind, or otherwise still can and do serve on juries. You can/should ask the court for an accommodation which would help you participate as a juror, such as asking for an assisted listening device which can allow you to hear more clearly in your good ear, or request a live-stream of the court reporter's record which you can read as the trial proceeds. If you cannot participate as a juror with or without an accommodation, you could ask the court to be excused from service, and the court might excuse you in its discretion.
As always, this is a response to a hypothetical question. Be sure to talk with a qualified attorney about your specific situation before taking any action.
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