Washington State Jury Commission

Appendix 1: Board of Judicial Administration Resolution

BOARD FOR JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION
State of Washington

RESOLUTION for the Washington State Jury Committee

WHEREAS the United States and Washington State provide citizens a right to trial by jury and,

WHEREAS there is evidence an increasing number of citizens summoned for jury service do not appear and,

WHEREAS the judges of the Washington State courts see it as an important responsibility of the courts to determine what features of jury service could be changed or improved to encourage citizens to serve; and so litigants can continue to rely on a jury system that has integrity and is fair and impartial.

THEREFORE, be it by the Board for Judicial Administration:

That, a Washington State Jury Committee be formed to examine Washington State's jury system and recommend improvements to jury operations.

The Jury Committee will conduct a broad inquiry into the jury system and examine issues including, but not limited to, juror responsiveness, citizen satisfaction from jury service, adequacy of juror reimbursement, and improving juror participation in trials.

The Jury Committee is charged to make recommendations for changes in law, court rule, and court procedures,

The Jury Committee membership shall be representative of trial court judges, trial court administrators, county clerks, jury managers, attorneys, citizens who have served as jurors, legislators, labor, business, state, county and municipal officials, media, relevant academic disciplines, and experts in jury management. The Committee will provide a means for public commentary,

The Chair of the Jury Committee shall be a trial court judge who may appoint such ad hoc members as are deemed necessary to conduct the work of the committee;

The Jury Committee at the conclusion of its study shall make a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Board for Judicial Administration.

Done by the Board for Judicial Administration the 6^th day of November, 1998.

Attest: Chair

Barbara Durham, Chief Justice

Washington Supreme Court