Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Washington State Juror Commission proposes Improvements to jury service

Limiting jury service to one-day or one-trial.

Developing a statewide policy strictly enforcing the limitation of jury excuses, while liberally granting requests for postponement.

Providing jurors with complete information about jury service from the time they are summoned.

These are just a few of the dozens of draft recommendations developed by the Washington State Jury Commission as a standard for improving jury service and response rates in Washington courts.

Chaired by Thurston County Superior Court Judge Daniel J. Berschauer, the 30-member Jury Commission is comprised of citizen jurors, judges, court personnel, attorneys, labor and small business representatives, and members of the Washington State Legislature.

Focusing on the issues

Formed by the Board for Judicial Administration last year, the commission has met for the past ten months to, "conduct a broad inquiry into the jury system and examine issues including…juror responsiveness, citizen satisfaction from jury service, adequacy of juror reimbursement, and improving juror participation in trials".

Given the charge at hand, the group determined early-on which key areas needed exploration. Through three subcommittees, the following issues were studied throughout the year:

• Citizen Participation in the Jury System Subcommittee: Responded to fundamental questions such as: What are the best ways to promote public awareness of our jury system? How can citizens be encouraged to participate? Are juries representative of the population? And, how can communication be improved between the courts and those called for jury duty?
• Jury Process Improvement Subcommittee: This subcommittee examined juror activities which take place once citizens arrive in the courthouse. Specifically, the group looked at how to reduce the time jurors spend waiting, improvements to juror selection, ways to increase juror participation and comprehension in the courtroom, and how to enhance the jury deliberation process.
• Enhancing Services for Jurors Subcommittee: Investigated issues that represent a financial burden for jurors and their employers such as the adequacy of juror fees; how to assist jurors with child care, commuting, and parking costs; and the feasibility of reducing the frequency and terms of service. In addition, they considered how to provide for citizens' needs during their time spent at the courthouse, and investigated ways to provide emotional support to jurors during and after stressful trials.

Recommendations for change

During Washington Juror Appreciation Week (May 1-7), a majority of the subcommittee's recommendations were drafted and posted online for public and court comment. (For a full listing of recommendations, please go to www.courts.wa.gov/jurycomm/)

New recommendations are continuing to be posted as they become available, and the Commission plans to sit down at its June 23 meeting to finalize recommendations to the BJA.

Among the highlights:

• 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 and ask questions during trial.
• Courts should provide jurors with guidelines for deliberations, including suggestions on selecting a presiding juror, encouraging full participation, and handling disagreements.

With the release of the proposed recommendations, Berschauer stresses the equally important goal of implementing real changes within the system.

"We've heard from citizens over the past year on their opinions on how to improve the system," he said. "The Commission is very dedicated to seeing that real reforms are made for all who serve on juries."

Nearing its goal

Striving to conclude its work within the year, the Jury Commission is currently reviewing the draft recommendations and public comments, and will finalize a report by month's end.

Following distribution of the Commission's final report, an implementation committee will be formed to propose ways of funding the recommendations, and to draft any legislative proposals necessary.

Jury Commission Recommendations:

For a complete list of the Washington State Jury Commission recommendations, visit the Jury Commission Homepage at www.courts.wa.gov/jurycomm.

Citizens and court members are encouraged to submit their comments in writing to: The Washington State Jury Commission c/o OAC, P.O. Box 41170, Olympia, WA 98504-1170, or by e-mail to: jurycommission@courts.wa.gov.