Juror Information
Welcome to King County Superior Court and thank you for your willingness to serve!
Please Be Aware
Frequently Asked Questions
about jury service.
Being A Juror
Your job as a juror is to listen to all the evidence presented at trial, then "decide the facts" – decide what really happened. You do not need special knowledge or ability to do your job. It is enough that you keep an open mind, use common sense, concentrate on the evidence presented, and be fair and honest in your deliberations.
The Jury Selection Process – How You Were Chosen
Your name was selected at random from a list of names generated from voter registration, driver’s license, and "identicard" records. Every year the Administrative Office for the Courts in Olympia creates a new list of names for every court in King County. It is possible, although very unlikely, that you will be summoned by one or more courts in the same year or over the course of several years.
The Jury Selection Process -- What If You Have Recently Served?
If you have reported for jury duty in Superior Court within the past 12 months, we are happy to excuse you from your current summons. Simply email your request to:
PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL BOTH ADDRESSES!
If you have served with any other jurisdiction, please contact that court and request written verification of your service. Forward that to us, along with the lower portion of the Superior Court summons, and an exemption will be processed.
Jury Service in King County Superior Court
King County Superior Court jurors are required to serve for the length of one trial or 2 days. While some trials are completed within one week, many last longer.
Request to Reschedule Jury Duty
To request a hardship excuse from jury service, please review your Jury Summons. You may request to RESCHEDULE your jury service if you qualify as a juror. Your postponement request should be made prior to your currently scheduled date. This can be postponed to a week you choose within the next 12 months. Jury duty may only be rescheduled once.
PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL BOTH ADDRESSES!
Please include your badge number and the week to which you would like your jury duty service postponed.
Business Hours
Jurors are required to be present for jury duty from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. These hours are subject to change if you are selected to serve on a jury trial. Court staff will keep you apprised of these potential changes.
Courthouse Location and Directions
Public Transportation and Parking
Jurors are encouraged to use the bus ticket provided on the Summons for the first day of jury service to avoid traffic congestion and parking difficulties. An additional free bus ticket will be provided for each day that you serve on jury duty. See bus route information or call Metro at (206) 553-3000.
If you drive, public parking lots are available within walking distance of the King County Courthouse in Seattle. Parking is expensive, and lots often fill early in the morning. The Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent has free parking in an adjacent parking structure, although this garage often fills up early. When the garage is full, overflow parking is available at the Park and Ride lot just west of the MRJC on James Street. Overflow parking is also available during normal business hours at the Showare Center, which is located on James Street directly across from the entrance to the MRJC parking garage. Parking for disabled persons and carpools, with permits, is available in the garage adjacent to the Regional Justice Center.
Bicycle Parking
-
King County Courthouse: Limited bicycle parking is available along the sidewalk on the 4th Avenue (east) side of the Courthouse. Additional bicycle parking is available across 4th Avenue at the King County Administration Building (500 4th Avenue -- individual bike racks are located on all four sides of the building) and just inside the 6th Avenue entrance of the King County parking garage (415 6th Avenue).
-
Maleng Regional Justice Center: Limited bicycle parking (parking for about eight bikes) is available on the second level of the MRJC parking garage. A similar setup also is available on the 4th Avenue North side of the facility.
Childcare
The Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent includes a drop-in childcare center which is available to jurors on a limited basis. Jurors may use the center for their children's care for up to two days IF THEY ARE EMPANELED (i.e., actually placed on a jury). The center is located on the third floor of the MRJC and opens at 8:30 a.m. For more information, call (253) 854-5625.
In Case of an Emergency
If an emergency occurs – a sudden illness, accident, or death in the family that prevents you from serving – you should tell the court staff immediately, or call (206) 296-9319 to speak to a member of the King County Superior Court Jury Department.
In Case of Inclement Weather
In case of inclement weather, please contact the Superior Court emergency information line for the court facility where you are expected to report. For the King County Courthouse (Seattle), call 206-296-9100. For the Regional Justice Center (Kent), call 206-205-2501.
For additional information on jury service, see A Juror’s Guide.
If you have been summoned for jury duty please read your summons and this website carefully. Most of your questions should be answered.
If you have additional questions, please send your inquiries and include the 9 digit number on your juror badge below the bar code to: Greg Wheeler -- Jury Services Manager.
For more information on the court system, see A Citizen’s Guide to Washington Courts.
Read comments from jurors regarding their experience with jury service.
RCW:2.36.170: It is a crime for any person summoned for jury service to intentionally fail to appear as directed.
|
