United States v. Howe

LYNCH, Chief Judge.

The question raised is whether the district judge correctly dismissed one count of a 2012 federal indictment against Ryan Howe. That in turn, hinges on whether Howe, convicted in 1995 of a felony, had his civil right to sit on a jury restored as a matter of New Hampshire state law. The state statutes involved, though, have not yet been construed and are far from clear, and their construction will be determinative in this case. Qualification for jury service is a core concern of the state and its judiciary. We think the best course is to certify the statutory interpretation…