The following statement was issued by Randall Samborn, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago, in response to inquiries regarding a published newspaper article:

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

“An article in today’s Chicago Tribune states that ‘Federal law generally disqualifies felons from serving on juries.’

This statement is off the mark.

Federal law disqualifies persons who have been convicted of felonies from serving on juries only so long as their ‘civil rights have not been restored.’

Under Illinois law, civil rights are automatically restored upon the ‘completion of any sentence of imprisonment or upon discharge from probation, conditional discharge or periodic imprisonment.’

Thus, a person who has completed his or her sentence on a felony conviction is not disqualified from serving on a federal jury.

We decline to comment on facts specific to the Cellini case because it is appropriate to reserve our comments for the courtroom on matters that could be the subject of litigation.

In general, however, federal law appropriately provides great respect for a jury’s verdict, and holds that it should not be lightly disturbed.”