2.36.010 - Definitions. - Washington Statutes

Definitions.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

     (1) A jury is a body of persons temporarily selected from the qualified inhabitants of a particular district, and invested with power --

     (a) To present or indict a person for a public offense.

     (b) To try a question of fact.

     (2) "Court" when used without further qualification means any superior court or court of limited jurisdiction in the state of Washington.

     (3) "Judge" means every judicial officer authorized to hold or preside over a court. For purposes of this chapter "judge" does not include court commissioners or referees.

     (4) "Juror" means any person summoned for service on a petit jury, grand jury, or jury of inquest as defined in this chapter.

     (5) "Grand jury" means those twelve persons impaneled by a superior court to hear, examine, and investigate evidence concerning criminal activity and corruption.

     (6) "Petit jury" means a body of persons twelve or less in number in the superior court and six in number in courts of limited jurisdiction, drawn by lot from the jurors in attendance upon the court at a particular session, and sworn to try and determine a question of fact.

     (7) "Jury of inquest" means a body of persons six or fewer in number, but not fewer than four persons, summoned before the coroner or other ministerial officer, to inquire of particular facts.

     (8) "Jury source list" means the list of all registered voters for any county, merged with a list of licensed drivers and identicard holders who reside in the county. The list shall specify each person's name and residence address and conform to the methodology and standards set pursuant to the provisions of RCW 2.36.054 or by supreme court rule. The list shall be filed with the superior court by the county auditor.

     (9) "Master jury list" means the list of prospective jurors from which jurors summoned to serve will be randomly selected. The master jury list shall be either randomly selected from the jury source list or may be an exact duplicate of the jury source list.

     (10) "Jury term" means a period of time of one or more days, not exceeding one month, during which summoned jurors must be available to report for juror service.

     (11) "Juror service" means the period of time a juror is required to be present at the court facility. This period of time may not extend beyond the end of the jury term, and may not exceed two weeks, except to complete a trial to which the juror was assigned during the two-week period.

     (12) "Jury panel" means those persons randomly selected for jury service for a particular jury term.

[1993 c 408 § 4; 1992 c 93 § 1; 1988 c 188 § 2; 1891 c 48 § 1; RRS § 89.]

Notes: Severability -- Effective dates -- 1993 c 408: See notes following RCW 2.36.054.

Legislative findings -- 1988 c 188: "The legislature recognizes the vital and unique role of the jury system in enhancing our system of justice. The purpose of this chapter is the promotion of efficient jury administration and the opportunity for widespread citizen participation in the jury system. To accomplish this purpose the legislature intends that all courts and juries of inquest in the state of Washington select, summon, and compensate jurors uniformly." [1988 c 188 § 1.]

Severability -- 1988 c 188: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1988 c 188 § 23.]

Effective date -- 1988 c 188: "Except for section 19, this act shall take effect January 1, 1989. Section 19 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately [March 22, 1988]." [1988 c 188 § 24.]