1. How was I selected for jury duty?
Citizens are selected at random from voter registration and driver's license and 'identicard' records.
To serve as a juror you must be at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States, a resident of Pierce County and able to communicate in English. If you have ever been convicted of a felony, you must have had your rights restored.
2. What should I do if I receive a jury summons in the mail?
READ THE SUMMONS!!!! The summons contains essential information about where, when and how to report for jury service.
After reading, please send your Summons back. Please mark the reason for an excusal. For postponements, please give us a new date within the next 4 months. To confirm your report date, return the Summons with your personal information filled out.
3. What if I cannot serve as a juror?
Your summons contains a 'Requesting an Excuse or Postponement' section that you should fill out and return if you need to have your service postponed or excused.
4. What should I bring with me when I report for jury duty?
Be sure to bring the portion of your summons that says 'JUROR' in bold letters with the scan bar on it when you report in for jury duty.
Since there can be extended periods of time when you will not be required in the courtroom, you may want to bring a book or magazine. You may bring your laptop computer, but there is no internet access in the jury room. The jury room is equipped with games, puzzles, books, magazines and a movie room in which to watch videos.
5. What should I wear for jury duty?
Dress comfortably, but not too casually. Dress for court as if you were going to work or to church. Many judges do not allow anyone to come to court wearing halter or tank tops, cut-off jeans, shorts, or shirts with offensive wording. Remember you will be acting as part of the court while serving as a juror, so dress appropriately. Also, you might want to wear layered clothing since courtroom temperatures may vary considerably, requiring the removal or addition of a sweater or jacket.
6. How long will I serve?
Two weeks or until dismissed by the court. Keep in mind, if you are chosen to sit as a juror, the trial may last longer than the two week term.
7. Do I get paid for jury duty?
The compensation for jury service is $10 a day for each day served, plus a mileage fee. You are paid only for the days you are required to report in and are present.
8. Where do I park when I report for jury duty?
Parking is limited. Parking is available in the public garage located on Yakima Ave., between 10th and 9th streets, FIRST level only. Please let the attendant know you are a juror.
Parking is available on 9th and I streets, spaces 1- 24 only.
You may park on the street in areas marked one hour or more. Be sure to display your parking permit on the dash of your vehicle. The parking permit is attached to your summons.
9. Where do I report and what happens?
The night before your service date, (usually Sunday evening) you should call the jury line (253) 798-7782 or you can check the internet at www.co.pierce.wa.us/jury and click on 'CURRENT REPORTING GROUPS'. Listen/look for your group number which is located on your summons. If your group number is called to report, then come to the County-City Building at 930 Tacoma Ave. S., between 11th and 9th streets at 8:30 a.m., Room 123. When you report in, you will be shown how to scan yourself in. About 9:00 a.m., a judge will begin the orientation to welcome you and to explain what to expect as a juror. You will also be given additional information from the court staff, and shown another short orientation video.
10. Is Security provided?
Security officers and a metal detector are at the entrance of the first and second floors. Everyone entering the building will be screened. Please do not bring to court any sharp bladed instrument having a blade of two inches or longer.
11. How long will I be at the courthouse?
The normal court hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There can be some variation depending upon the case you are serving on. If you are not chosen for a trial you could be excused anytime throughout the day.
12. How do I get excused from jury duty?
As an alternative to being excused, you may request to reschedule your jury service. Please put your request in writing on the jury summons you received and mail the summons to the court.
You can only be excused for undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, public necessity or any reason deemed sufficient by the court.
If you are asking to be excused for a MEDICAL REASON, this must be accompanied by a current letter from your physician specifying the condition that prohibits you from serving. Without a doctor's letter your request to be excused for a medical condition will not be considered. Also, please note, the Court does not keep past medical certificates or letters on file.
If you are asking to be excused for a FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, you need to have your employer attach a letter on their letterhead, stating they do not compensate you for jury duty and it would be a financial hardship for you.
13. How will I know if I have been excused, deferred or disqualified from jury duty?
You will receive a card in the mail indicating you have been excused or disqualified. If deferred, you will receive a letter indicating what date you have been deferred to. If you do not let us know on your summons a date when you would like to be deferred to, we will schedule a new date within 90 days of your originally scheduled service.
14. What happens if I don't report for jury duty?
Failure to appear is a misdemeanor pursuant to RCW 2.36.170. If you do not report on your scheduled date, you will receive a notice indicating you have failed to appear and that it is a misdemeanor and you may be held in contempt of court.
15. Will I serve on civil or criminal trials?
Your selection for a case will be entirely random. You may sit on either type of case- civil or criminal trials in Superior, District or Tacoma Municipal Court..
16. Can I be late?
No. Please be on time whenever you are told to report. This is especially important when serving on a case since the entire proceeding can be delayed because of the tardiness of one juror.
17. Will my employer fire me if I serve as a juror?
It is against the law, per RCW 2.36.165, for an employer to fire or demote or harass an employee because they serve as a juror. RCW 2.36.165(2) states 'An employer shall not deprive an employee of employment or threaten, coerce, or harass an employee, or deny an employee promotional opportunities because the employee receives a summons, responds to the summons, serves as a juror, or attends court for prospective jury service.' However, the law does not require that the employee be paid in full while serving.
18. What if my employer wants proof that I was serving on jury duty?
You may request a WORKSLIP which is a print out of each day you physically appeared for jury duty. The workslip will show the details of your service.
19. Can I smoke?
Smoking is permitted only in designated areas. Smoking is not permitted in the building.
20. How can my family reach me in case of an emergency?
On your first day of jury duty you will be given a number in case of an emergency. Give that number to your family members.
21. Will I be locked in a hotel during the trial?
It is extremely rare for a jury to be 'sequestered' or kept in a hotel during a trial. You should expect that you will be allowed to go home at the end of each court day.
22. Where do I have lunch?
Jurors are welcome to bring their lunch. There is a refrigerator and two microwaves in the jury room as well as a vending machine that makes coffee, tea and cocoa. There are also vending machines right outside the jury room serving drinks, an espresso bar located next to the jury room and a deli on the 11th floor of the building as well as nearby restaurants.
23. Can I volunteer for jury duty?
No. Jurors are all summoned randomly.
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