People convicted of crimes who have completed sentences now may serve as jurors in New Jersey.

About 350,000 people who have been convicted of crimes and have completed their sentences will now be eligible to serve jury duty in New Jersey because of an executive order signed by Gov. Phil Murphy on Sunday.

New Jersey law bars potential jurors from serving if they have been convicted of indictable federal or state laws, but second-chance groups have called for that privilege to be restored. They argue that those who have repaid their debts to society should be allowed to participate fully as citizens, and juries should reflect the people they serve.

Murphy had hoped that changes to state law would allow jury eligibility for formerly convicted people, but a bill was never passed by the Legislature. Instead, Murphy turned to his clemency powers to grant eligibility.

"Serving on a jury is a defining expression of United States citizenship and, for many, the most significant opportunity — outside of voting — to share in the responsibilities of democratic self-government," Murphy said. "Restoring the right to serve on a jury builds on our Second Chances agenda and strengthens our justice system, which has disproportionately impacted Black and Latino communities. Addressing these barriers helps ensure that our juries are more representative of the communities they serve and that our democracy is stronger, fairer and more inclusive."

At the signing ceremony in East Orange, Murphy highlighted the story of Dameon Stackhouse, who spent almost 12 years in prison for robbery. Stackhouse since leaving prison has taken accountability and become a positive contributor to his community, Murphy said. Stackhouse said he understands that jury service is just as important a civic duty as voting, and that participation in both is "essential to being considered a fully restored citizen."

"This milestone is not just personal," Stackhouse said. "It represents a collective expression of voices from my community — our community — that demand to be heard. This is a pivotal moment for all of us who have faced the stigma of conviction, affirming that our contributions matter and that we are an integral part of the democratic process."