Jury Duty

Jury duty is an essential element of our judicial system in America. Trial by jury is provided as a constitutional right. Jury Duty is one of the privileges of citizenship in the United States. Jurors are selected at random from a Master List generated in Olympia, Washington according to the state law.

Selection

The Master List is a combination of eligible Skamania County residents ages 18 and over from the driver’s license list, voter registration list, and State Identicard holder’s list. The law affecting eligible jurors in Washington State was changed in 1994 to include all three lists.

Summons

A post card summons will be sent to prospective jurors approximately 30 days prior to the two-week term. The prospective juror is required to complete the online questionnaire within 5 days. Jurors must complete the online questionnaire to request a deferral or excusal. Jurors will be instructed to visit the Juror Access Website, https://juror-waskamania.ejm.tylerapp.com/, call (509)740-3669 or opt in for email or text messaging, before the date to attend for reporting instructions.

Length of Service

The term of service is two-weeks. The start date of the term will be listed on the summons. This date is also your date to attend. most trials are scheduled for only a one or two-day trial, within your two-week term. Keep in mind that some trials can be scheduled for and up to three to five days or more, but this is not as common. Jurors will be advised of trial length the morning of trial and will have an opportunity to address the Court. 

Disqualification from Jury Duty

A juror is not qualified to serve if any of the following is true:

• The individual is less than 18 years of age.
• The individual is not a citizen of the United States
• The individual is not a resident of Skamania County
• The individual is not able to communicate in the English language
• An individual convicted of a felony is not a disqualification unless currently incarcerated, by the Washington State Dept of Corrections. 

Requesting Excuse or Reschedule of Jury Duty

Please complete your online questionnaire within 5 days, noting any days during the two-week term you would not be able to report due to critical appointments or work or school schedules. We hope by shortening the term, and assigning one potential trial to report for, jurors will be able to serve in the term in which they are called. Always check this website, https://juror-waskamania.ejm.tylerapp.com/ or call (509)740-3669 before leaving home to help avoid an unnecessary trip to the courthouse. Your request for deferment, exemption or excusal should be indicated by completing your online questionnaire as quickly as possible to allow accurate scheduling. If you have an age-related request to be excused, you need not get a doctor’s slip. Please complete the online questionnaire, noting a brief description validating your request. If you need assistance with your questionnaire or have additional questions, please call the Clerk’s Office during our business hours at (509) 427-3770.