(a) If a party does not cause the removal by challenge of an individual juror who is deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or speech impaired and who requires auxiliary services to facilitate communication, the party shall stipulate to the presence of a service provider in the jury room during jury deliberations, and prepare and deliver to the court proposed jury instructions to the service provider.
§ 224.Juror with specified physical disabilities; “Service provider”
Title 3. Persons Specially Invested With Powers of a Judicial Nature · Chapter 1. Trial Jury Selection and Management Act · Last amended 2017 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 224 requires the court to appoint a qualified service provider, such as a sign language interpreter, oral interpreter, deaf-blind interpreter, reader, or speech interpreter, for a juror with a specified physical disability, limiting the provider’s role to facilitating communication rather than participating in deliberations.
Full Text of § 224
(b) As used in this section, “service provider” includes, but is not limited to, a person who is a sign language interpreter, oral interpreter, deaf-blind interpreter, reader, or speech interpreter. If auxiliary services are required during the course of jury deliberations, the court shall instruct the jury and the service provider that the service provider for the juror with a disability is not to participate in the jury’s deliberations in any manner except to facilitate communication between the juror with a disability and other jurors.
(c) The court shall appoint a service provider whose services are needed by a juror with a disability to facilitate communication or participation. A sign language interpreter, oral interpreter, or deaf-blind interpreter appointed pursuant to this section shall be a qualified interpreter, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 754 of the Evidence Code. Service providers appointed by the court under this subdivision shall be compensated in the same manner as provided in subdivision (i) of Section 754 of the Evidence Code.
Plain-English Summary
Section 224 makes jury service workable for a juror who needs communication assistance. When a juror with a qualifying physical disability needs a service provider, the court appoints one to facilitate communication or participation, and that provider’s role is deliberately limited: during deliberations, the service provider is not to participate in the jury’s deliberations in any way except to facilitate communication between the juror and the other jurors.
“Service provider” includes, but is not limited to, a sign language interpreter, oral interpreter, deaf-blind interpreter, reader, or speech interpreter. A sign language, oral, or deaf-blind interpreter appointed under this section must be a qualified interpreter as defined in Evidence Code § 754(f), and service providers are compensated the same way interpreters are compensated under Evidence Code § 754(i).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a deaf or blind person serve on a California jury?
Yes. Section 224 requires the court to appoint a qualified service provider, such as a sign language, oral, or deaf-blind interpreter, to facilitate the juror’s communication and participation.
Can the interpreter participate in jury deliberations?
No. Section 224 limits the service provider to facilitating communication between the juror and other jurors, not participating in the deliberations themselves.
Who qualifies as a “service provider” under Section 224?
The section lists sign language interpreters, oral interpreters, deaf-blind interpreters, readers, and speech interpreters, though the list is not exclusive.
Amendment History
Added Stats 1988 ch 1245 § 2. Amended Stats 1992 ch 913 § 9 (AB 1077); Stats 1993 ch 1214 § 3 (AB 551); Stats 2016 ch 94 § 3 (AB 1709), effective January 1, 2017.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: juror with disability accommodation californiasign language interpreter jury duty californiadeaf juror service provider californiadisability accommodation jury service california