Jury Duty
King County Superior Court jury duty helps residents participate in the justice system by serving on juries for civil and criminal cases. This article explains how King County jury service works, what to do after receiving a summons, how to respond online, when to report, how exemptions and accommodations work, what happens during jury selection, and which court offices handle jury duty questions.
Jury Duty Through Superior Court
King County Superior Court manages jury service for civil and criminal trials that require jurors. Residents who receive a jury summons are required to respond and complete the required steps unless they qualify for an exemption or are excused because of an approved hardship.
The official Superior Court Jury Duty information page provides access to jury summons instructions, frequently asked questions, jury summons login information, interpreter services, exemptions, and other jury service information.
Jury service is based on a random selection process. The Administrative Office for the Courts creates juror pool lists using names from voter registration records, driver’s license records, and identicard records. Because the selection is random, some residents may receive summonses more often than others, while some may not be summoned at all.
Receiving a Jury Summons
A King County Superior Court jury summons arrives by mail. After receiving the summons, residents should read the instructions carefully and respond as soon as possible.
The summons response process is completed through the online Juror Portal. Residents use information from their summons, including the badge number, to access the system. Only the person named on the summons should log in. A parent, child, guardian, or another person should not access the system on behalf of the summoned individual.
When responding online, jurors confirm that they are legally eligible to serve and verify or update contact information, including:
Email address
Phone number
Mailing address
Other contact details requested through the Juror Portal
The online response system is available through the official King County Superior Court juror summons login system.
Reporting for Jury Service
Receiving a summons does not mean a juror should immediately appear at a courthouse. King County Superior Court instructs summoned jurors not to come to court in person until they receive a location, date, and time from the court’s bailiff.
A bailiff may contact selected jurors by email, phone, text, or USPS mail with additional instructions. If a juror has not been contacted by a bailiff by the required time after responding to the summons, the person may not have been selected for a trial and may have completed the jury obligation for that term.
Jurors should regularly check their email, including spam or junk folders, because court communications may include important scheduling information.
Jury Service Locations
King County Superior Court jury service may involve different court facilities depending on the assigned trial. The two primary locations connected with jury services are the King County Courthouse in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.
The King County Courthouse serves as one location for Superior Court operations. The courthouse requires security screening before entry, and jurors should allow time for the screening process when they are instructed to appear.
The Maleng Regional Justice Center serves south King County and also requires security screening for visitors entering the courthouse.
Jury Selection Process
Jury selection determines which members of a juror panel will participate in a specific trial. The selection process may include questions from the court to determine whether a person can serve fairly in that case.
Some jury selections may occur remotely. When remote jury selection is used, the court may provide instructions through email from the trial bailiff. Jurors may need:
A personal email address
Reliable high-speed or broadband internet access
A phone, tablet, or computer with a working camera
A quiet location without distractions
During remote selection, jurors receive meeting information from the court, including connection instructions. This information should not be shared with others.
If technical problems with internet, audio, or video prevent participation, the court may provide instructions for another appearance option.
Length of Jury Service
King County Superior Court jury duty has a one-day minimum obligation. If a juror is not selected for a trial or assigned to a courtroom by the end of the first day of service, the juror will be released.
If selected for a trial, the average trial lasts about two weeks. A juror may discuss an undue hardship with the trial court judge during the early part of service if circumstances affect the ability to participate.
Who Must Serve
King County residents who meet jury qualifications must serve when summoned unless they qualify for an exemption or receive an approved excuse. Jury service supports the constitutional right to a jury trial in civil and criminal cases.
Residents generally must respond to a summons unless they meet a legal qualification that prevents service. The court identifies certain situations where a person may not be required to serve, including:
Not being a United States citizen
Being under 18 years of age
Being unable to communicate in English or American Sign Language
Being a convicted felon currently incarcerated
The court does not provide occupational or professional exemptions for reasons such as being a student, teacher, healthcare provider, sales professional, or self-employed person.
Jury Duty Exemptions
King County Superior Court may approve exemptions when serving would create an undue hardship. An inconvenience or scheduling difficulty alone does not qualify as an undue hardship.
Residents may request an exemption or postponement through the Juror Portal when eligible. A person may request to move a jury service date when an eligible hardship is temporary.
The court also considers recent jury service. Residents who have reported for Superior Court jury duty within the past 12 months may request to be excused from a new Superior Court summons.
More information about qualifying situations and the exemption process is available through the King County Superior Court jury duty exemptions page.
Medical and Disability Accommodations
Jurors with disabilities who need accommodations to serve may request assistance from King County Superior Court. Accommodation requests are available for qualified individuals when an accommodation is reasonable and necessary under applicable accessibility requirements.
The court encourages people requesting accommodations to provide advance notice so the request can be reviewed. Requests may require supporting information depending on the circumstances.
Residents who need an accommodation can use the court’s disability accommodations information page for instructions.
Interpreter Services
King County Superior Court provides interpreter services for individuals who need language assistance. Residents should notify the court when requesting interpretation services.
Information about interpreter services is available through the court’s interpreter services page.
Jury Duty Compensation
Jurors receive compensation for their service. King County Superior Court states that jurors earn $10 per day of service.
The court also reimburses transportation costs for certain travel methods, including train, light rail, bus, ferry, and water taxi fares. Jurors who drive to the King County Courthouse and park receive a mileage allowance.
Compensation checks are sent every two weeks. A final payment may not arrive immediately after the last day of service, and jurors should allow at least two weeks after service ends for the final check.
Employer Leave Rules
Employers must allow employees to respond to a jury summons and serve as jurors. State law requires employers to provide a sufficient leave of absence for jury service.
Employers are not required by state law to continue paying an employee’s salary while the employee is serving on a jury. Some employers may have their own policies that provide compensation during jury service.
Lost Summons and Contact Updates
If a resident loses a King County Superior Court jury summons, the court provides instructions for contacting Jury Services. The request should include identifying information such as the person’s full name, address, and date of birth.
Residents should keep their contact information current through the Juror Portal when responding to a summons so the court can provide important updates.
Jury Duty Scam Warning
King County residents have reported fraudulent calls from individuals pretending to be court personnel or law enforcement officers. These callers may claim that a person failed to appear for jury duty and demand payment for a warrant fine or ticket.
The court and Sheriff’s Office will not call residents to request money for a warrant. Residents should not provide personal information, credit card details, or banking information to callers claiming to represent the court.
If someone receives a suspicious call claiming to involve King County Superior Court or the Sheriff’s Office and needs verification, the court provides a jury service contact number for assistance.
Jury Duty Offices
King County Superior Court Jury Services
516 Third Avenue, Room C-203
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 477-1320
King County Courthouse
516 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
Maleng Regional Justice Center
401 Fourth Avenue North
Kent, WA 98032
Jury Duty FAQs
How do I respond after receiving a King County jury summons?
After receiving a King County Superior Court jury summons by mail, you should review the instructions and respond as soon as possible. The court provides an online Juror Portal where summoned individuals can confirm eligibility and verify or update their email, phone number, address, and other requested information. Only the person named on the summons should access the portal. You can complete the response through the official King County jury summons response page.
Do I need to go to court when I receive a jury summons?
No. Receiving a summons does not mean you should immediately appear at a courthouse. King County Superior Court instructs jurors not to report in person until they receive a location, date, and time from the court’s bailiff. If you are selected for jury selection, the bailiff may contact you by email, phone, text, or mail with additional instructions.
Can I request an exemption or postpone my King County jury service?
King County residents who receive a summons must serve unless they meet legal qualifications for exemption or the court approves an undue hardship request. A scheduling inconvenience alone generally does not qualify. Eligible individuals may request exemption or rescheduling through the Juror Portal. Details about qualifying situations are available on the official King County jury duty exemptions page.
What happens during King County jury selection?
Jury selection may involve questions from the court to determine whether potential jurors can fairly participate in a specific case. Some selections may take place remotely. If remote selection is used, jurors receive instructions from the court and may need a personal email address, reliable internet access, and a device with a working camera. Meeting information provided by the court should not be shared with others.
What should I do if I need disability accommodations or language assistance?
King County Superior Court provides accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and offers interpreter services for people who need language assistance. Requests should be made through the court before service when possible so arrangements can be reviewed. More information is available through the court’s disability accommodations information.