One of the most important rights under our state and federal constitutions is the right to a jury trial. Because of the COVID-19 emergency, we have been unable to have jurors safely come to court. Effective July 6, Snohomish County Superior Court will begin resumption of jury trials. We are modifying our operations to help prevent the risk of infection from coronavirus. Some courts throughout the country have resumed jury trials with success and we are adopting many of those same procedures. We take public health and the safety of jurors seriously. Snohomish County was actually one of the first counties in the state to postpone jury trials due to the risks associated with the virus.
Our policies prohibit anyone who has been ill to enter our courtrooms. We will use spaces and locations that will allow for 6 feet of social distancing throughout your jury service. Generally, everyone in the courtroom will be required to wear masks. We will have hand sanitizer readily available and gloves available on request. Our courtrooms will be cleaned daily using enhanced cleaning methods. Dr. Chris Spitters from the Snohomish Health District has reviewed our plans and our courtrooms and agrees that are plans are appropriate.
If you are in a high risk category for coronavirus or are uncomfortable serving as a juror when you are summonsed to appear for jury duty you can request that your jury service be deferred to a later time.
Civic-minded jurors are essential to assure fairness to all parties in a case. Due to changes in operations the length of jury trials and jury service might be increased. On behalf of the 15 Superior Court judges I thank you for your dedication, understanding, and service during these extraordinary times.
Bruce I. Weiss, presiding judge
Snohomish County Superior Court
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