Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Jury Commission works to Implement jury reforms

With their high-profile report now finalized and approved by the Board for Judicial Administration, the Washington State Jury Commission is moving towards one of the most important steps in their charge: implementing change.

The Commission's report-including 44-recommendations for jury service improvement-was finalized in early October and submitted to BJA.

Now, six former members of the Committee--and their chair, Thurston County Superior Court Judge Daniel Berschauer--will continue their efforts. Members of the Implementation Committee include: Peter Camp, Asst City Attorney, City of Everett; David Elliott, Asst. Director of Elections, Office of the Secretary of State; Hon. Adam Kline, Washington State Senate; Fife Municipal Court Judge Kevin Ringus; Rowland Thompson, Director of Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington, Siri Woods, Chelan County Clerk; and new member Jeff Amram, Clark County Superior Court Administrator.

Implementation Committee

Formed for little more than one month, the Implementation Committee has already decided they will work on five major areas: Legislation, Court Rules, Public Information, Education and Source List improvements.

Work has also begun on areas of immediate interest to the courts. Two bills are being proposed for this session, including the following:

• A proposal that the jury term be shortened to a maximum of one week and that jury service be shortened to two days/one trial (Recommendation 8).
• A proposal that the jury fee be increased to $45 from the second day forward, the state funding the additional $35 and localities continuing to pay $10 for the first and subsequent days (Recommendation 12).

Court rules are being drafted related to:

• jurors being allowed to take notes in every case (Recommendation 29)
• jurors being permitted to ask questions in every case (Recommendation 33)
• jury questions during deliberations:
• procedures for requesting clarification of instructions (Recommendation 39)
• questions regarding the evidence and rehearing or replaying of trial testimony (Recommendation 40)
• juror privacy-amendment to GR 15(j) regarding public access to juror information (Recommendation 18)
• clerks disqualifying, excusing, and postponing prospective jurors (Recommendation 10)

Public information & education

Providing more information to citizen's prior to their service, and education amongst the judicial community are also major goals for the implementation committee.

One of their first steps is the creation of a 'website for jurors' designed to walk jurors through the process of being a juror, way in advance of showing up at the local courthouse. Materials for courts to promote local jury appreciation week activities in May will also be created, as well as educational sessions at the upcoming spring conferences on the Jury Commission's activities.

For further information about the jury commission's report, access it online at www.courts.wa.gov/For questions or comments, e-mail the commission at jurycommission@courts.wa.gov

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