2.36.080 - Selection of jurors -- State policy -- Exclusion for race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status prohibited. - Washington Statutes

Selection of jurors — State policy — Exclusion for race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status prohibited.

(1) It is the policy of this state that all persons selected for jury service be selected at random from a fair cross section of the population of the area served by the court, and that all qualified citizens have the opportunity in accordance with chapter 135, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. to be considered for jury service in this state and have an obligation to serve as jurors when summoned for that purpose.

     (2) It is the policy of this state to maximize the availability of residents of the state for jury service. It also is the policy of this state to minimize the burden on the prospective jurors, their families, and employers resulting from jury service. The jury term and jury service should be set at as brief an interval as is practical given the size of the jury source list for the judicial district. The optimal jury term is two weeks or less. Optimal juror service is one day or one trial, whichever is longer.

     (3) A citizen shall not be excluded from jury service in this state on account of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status.

     (4) This section does not affect the right to peremptory challenges under RCW 4.44.130.

[1992 c 93 § 2; 1979 ex.s. c 135 § 2; 1967 c 39 § 1; 1911 c 57 § 2; RRS § 95. Prior: 1909 c 73 § 2.]

Notes: Severability -- 1979 ex.s. c 135: "If any provision of this amendatory 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." [1979 ex.s. c 135 § 12.]