Welcome to jury service for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.
You have been randomly selected for potential service as a petit (trial) juror. Jury service is one of the most important civic responsibilities of United States citizens and helps ensure every person receives a fair and impartial trial.
Every two years, the Court creates a Master Jury Wheel by randomly selecting names from two source lists:
• Washington State general election voter registration records; and
• Washington State driver’s license and identification card records.
Names are then randomly drawn from the Master Jury Wheel and issued a jury summons. If you have received a summons, you must complete the Juror Qualification Questionnaire to determine whether you are qualified for federal jury service.
Qualified jurors serve a two-week on-call term beginning on the date listed on their summons.
What is a Petit (Trial) Juror?
A petit (trial) jury hears evidence presented during civil and criminal trials, determines the facts of the case, and renders a verdict based on the evidence and the law as instructed by the judge.
Where Will I Report?
Petit jury proceedings are held in Spokane, Yakima, and Richland.
Residents of Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, and Whitman counties report to Spokane.
Residents of Benton, Franklin, Kittitas, Klickitat, Walla Walla, and Yakima counties are part of the Yakima/Richland Jury Division and may be required to report to either Yakima or Richland, depending on the Court’s trial needs. Reporting location is determined by the Court and is not based on the county closest to your residence.
How Long Will I Serve?
Petit jurors serve under the Court’s “one day or one trial” policy during a two-week on-call term.
In most cases, you will report to the courthouse only once for jury selection.
You may be asked to report again only if:
• Jury selection is still in progress;
• You are selected to serve on a trial; or
• Additional jurors are needed based on the Court’s trial schedule and operational needs.
If you are not selected for a trial, your jury service is complete once jury selection has concluded and you have been excused by the judge.
If you are selected for a trial, you must serve until the trial concludes, even if it extends beyond your two-week on-call term. Once the trial is complete, your jury service has been fulfilled.
The Court reserves the right to modify these procedures when necessary in the interest of justice.
Learn More About Jury Service
You may review the Handbook for Trial Jurors to become familiar yourself with the role and responsibilities of a trial juror, as well as the importance of this service.
You may also view "Called to Serve" as an introduction to jury service in the United States District Courts.