Washington State Jury Commission

Appendix 2: Excuse and Deferral Guidelines

(For Recommendation 10)

Disqualification, Excuse, and Deferral Guidelines

Disqualification--RCW 2.36.070 (processed by jury clerk):

1. Those under eighteen years of age.
2. Those who are not citizens of the United States.
3. Those not residents of the county.
4. Those not able to communicate in the English language.
5. Those convicted of felonies who have not had their civil rights restored.

Excuse (processed by judge):

1. Those showing undue financial hardship, outlined in writing, where a person is not compensated for jury service by an employer, or self-employed persons who would incur financial hardship.
2. A showing that excuse from jury service is a public necessity.
3. Those showing jury service would be an extreme inconvenience.

Excuse (processed by jury clerk):

1. Persons who have completed jury service within the last year as described in
   RCW 2.36.100(3) ("at least two weeks of jury service within the preceding twelve months.").
2. Age-related requests for excuse (proof of birth date).
3. Those with religious beliefs which would interfere with their ability to serve.

Permanent Excuse (processed by jury clerk):

1. Those with a permanent medical condition preventing jury service (verified by a doctor's letter).

Deferral (processed by jury clerk):

1. Persons with a verified temporary medical condition that prevents service as a juror if documented by a physician's statement.
2. Persons providing sole care for dependent family members.
3. Job-related requests for temporary deferral including seasonal work, but only if those persons are unable to be assigned to serve on a short jury trial. This would also apply to self-employed sole proprietors.
4. Students may have their jury service postponed to a time when courses are not being conducted.
5. Military personnel on active duty who are stationed out-of-county (with proof of military address).
6. Persons who have made reservations or plans to be out of town.
7. Persons who have appointments or obligations which cannot be cancelled without undue hardship.