Washington Courts: News and Information

“Without you, there is no justice”: New message on jury service encourages participation

A new public service message on the need for broad participation in jury service has been released by two judicial branch committees and TVW. The 30-second public service announcement (PSA) is available in both English and Spanish, includes subtitles, and focuses on the message, “Without you participating, there is no justice.”

The jury service PSA can be found on the YouTube page of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) at these links:

·         English version:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X3dyEY7rnQ&feature=youtu.be 

·         Spanish version:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z7TUQ_URtc&feature=youtu.be 

The message will appear on some broadcast stations, and is free to be shared on websites and social media. It was created at the request of the Washington Supreme Court Pattern Jury Instruction Committee, coordinated by the Public Trust & Confidence Committee of the Board for Judicial Administration, and filmed by TVW in Pasco, WA. One aim of the message is reaching groups with low response rates to jury summonses.

More information on jury service in Washington is available on AOC’s redesigned jury web page at http://www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/resources/ .

The Washington Pattern Jury Instruction Committee drafts pattern jury instructions for civil and criminal trials. This work involves periodically reviewing and updating existing jury instructions and adding new pattern instructions as the law develops and the need arises. Members serve four-year terms.

The Public Trust & Confidence Committee was formed in 1999 by the Board for Judicial Administration to improve understanding of and confidence in the judicial branch. The Committee includes judges, attorneys, educators, legislators, local government officials and members of the public. The PT&C Committee assesses public opinion and concerns, then works to address gaps in information and understanding.