Trial by jury is a right guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Washington. Learn more about the role you play as a juror in the justice system. We hope you find this honorable service rewarding.
Jury Summons
All jury summonses are sent out on postcards via U.S. Mail. When you receive a jury summons, follow Step 1 on the postcard to respond to the summons. You can respond to your summons by logging into the Juror Portal using your date of birth and Juror ID. If you have trouble responding to your summons, please contact Jury Administration (564) 397-2049.
Service Term
Jurors currently serving should check their reporting status starting the night before their scheduled service and each night during their service term after 5:00pm.
You can use one of the methods below to check your status:
- Juror Portal: https://clark.wa.gov/jury
- Call in: 360-218-0090
Your standby service term is for one week. If you're required to report for service, most trials last an average of 1-3 days, but occasionally they extend beyond one week. You are expected to be available the entire week of your term date.
Voir Dire
In the courtroom, your judge will tell you about the case, then introduce the lawyers and others who are involved in it. You will also take an oath, in which you will promise to answer all questions truthfully.
After you're sworn in, the judge and the lawyers will question you and other members of the panel to find out if you have any knowledge about the case, any personal interest in it, or any feelings that might make it hard for you to be impartial. This questioning process is called voir dire, which means "to speak the truth."
Though some of the questions may seem personal, you should answer them completely and honestly. If you are uncomfortable answering them, tell the judge. Questions are not asked to embarrass you. They are intended to make sure members of the jury have no opinions or past experiences which might prevent them from making an impartial decision.
Impaneled Jurors
Once selected to serve on a trial, the Court is counting on each juror to be there every day until a verdict is reached and the judge releases you. You must not discuss the case with anyone once you are sworn on the case. You must not research the laws, history of the case, blog, or post on any form of social media - as doing so could lead to a mistrial.
Alternate Jurors
Additional jurors are chosen, known as alternates, if any members of the jury are unable to complete the trial for some reason. Alternate jurors participate in the trial proceedings but do not take part in deliberations unless they have been called to replace members of the jury.
Daily Schedule
Lunch breaks are taken each day. Fifteen-minute breaks are taken mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Oftentimes, judges have other matters to attend to at 9:00am and 1:00pm before the jury is brought back into the courtroom. Jurors are sometimes also excused to the jury rooms adjacent to the courtroom if issues must be discussed/decided outside the jurors’ presence. You can expect to serve each day until approximately 4:30pm but it is up to the trial judge to determine when trial ends each day. Once a juror is impaneled on a trial, you are instructed to report as directed by the judge.
For more information, please visit our FAQ page.
Superior Court Administration
The Office of the Superior Court Administrator is responsible for calling citizens for jury service. The Jury Coordinator runs a computer program that selects prospective jurors from lists of voter registrations, driver registrations and Washington State identification cards for residents of Clark County.
Jury Administration: (564) 397-2049 or juries@clark.wa.gov
Helpful Documents & Links
Warning About Jury Service Scams
Juror Parking Information
A Juror's Guide to Washington's Courts