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
When you receive a Jury Summons, please keep the badge number for your first day of service. This number will also be on the reminder postcards that you receive. You should fill out the Juror Questionnaire online. If you complete the questionnaire in writing, fold, tape and return to the Jury Administration office as soon as possible.
Service Term
If summoned for jury service, you will be required to call the Jury Information Line (564.397.2400) after 5:15 pm the weekend before your first assigned day of service. Listen for your group number and follow the instructions. If your number is called, you will be required to come to the courthouse in-person. If your group number is not called, call each subsequent evening after 5:15 pm during your term of service to listen for your group number.
Your service term is for one week or one trial – most trials last an average of three days, but occasionally they extend beyond one week. You are expected to be available the entire week of your term date. Once selected to go to a courtroom with a group of jurors to begin the selection process for that trial, the judge will inform the jurors of the expected length of that trial. If not selected for that trial, you will be asked to return to the Jury Assembly Room and you may be returned to the jury pool, selected for another trial, or excused.
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.
Empaneled 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 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. 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 4:30 p.m. Once a juror is empaneled on a trial, you are instructed to report as directed by the judge.
Jurors should NOT report if they are feeling ill, experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 5 days, or have been instructed to quarantine.
Jurors experiencing illness or under quarantine are required to contact Jury Administration at 564-397-2049 or juries@clark.wa.gov to reschedule their jury service. If a juror reports for service and is ill, Jury Management staff will collect the badge number, send the juror home, and reschedule the juror for a later date.
For more information, please visit our FAQ page.
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
Jury Information: (564) 397-2400
Documents
Warning About Jury Service Scams
Jury Parking Map for Clark County Courthouse
Jury Parking Map at Fairgrounds Location
Information About Washington Jury Service