Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Washington State Jury Commission seeks public input

The Washington State Jury Commission is currently seeking public comment on nearly thirty proposed improvements to jury service in Washington State courts.

Formed by the Board for Judicial Administration last year, the Jury Commission has met for the past ten months to determine what features of jury service could be changed or improved to encourage citizens to serve on juries. Some preliminary recommendations under consideration were released during Washington Juror Appreciation week, proclaimed by Gov. Gary Locke for May 1-7, 2000.

Among the proposed recommendations for change:

• Jury service should be limited to the shortest period possible, and the Commission recommends one day or one trial be instituted statewide.
• Courts should work to educate the public on the importance of jury service and to increase diversity on juries by extensive outreach to targeted communities.
• All trial participants should be encouraged to use plain language likely to be understood by the jury.
• Jurors shall be permitted to take notes during trial.
• Courts should provide jurors with guidelines for deliberations, including suggestions on selecting a presiding juror, encouraging full participation, and handling disagreements.

Citizens can access the preliminary list of draft recommendations at the Jury Commission web site, located at www.courts.wa.gov/jurycomm/, and are encouraged to submit their comments in writing to: The Washington State Jury Commission c/o OAC, P.O. Box 41170, Olympia, WA 98504, or by e-mail to jurycommission@courts.wa.gov. Further recommendations will be posted online as they become available.

The Commission is chaired by Thurston County Superior Court Judge Daniel J. Berschauer and includes citizen jurors, judges, court personnel, attorneys, labor and small business representatives, and members of the Washington State Legislature.

Wendy K. Ferrell Judicial Communications Manager 360.705.5331 e-mail Wendy.Ferrell@courts.wa.gov

Lorrie Thompson Communications Officer 360.705.5347 Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov