DO’S AND DON’TS FOR JURORS

DURING THE TRIAL

  • DO pay close attention. If you cannot hear what is being said, raise your hand and let the judge know.
  • DO keep an open mind throughout the trial. Don’t form an opinion on the case until you and the other jurors have conducted your deliberations.      
  • DO listen carefully to the instructions read by the judge. Remember, it is your duty to accept what the judge says about the law to be applied to the case. 
  • DON’T try to guess what the judge thinks about the case. Remember that rulings from the bench do not reflect the judge’s personal views. 
  • DON’T talk about the case, or issues raised by the case with anyone--including other jurors--while the trial is going on, and DON'T let others talk about the case in your presence, even family members. If someone insists on talking to you or another juror about the case, please report the matter to a court employee. These rules are designed to help you keep an open mind during the trial.
  • DON’T talk to the lawyers, parties, or witnesses about anything.  This will avoid the impression that something unfair is going on. 
  • DON’T try to discover evidence on your own.  Never, for example, go to the scene of an event that was part of the case you are hearing. You must decide the case only on the basis of evidence admitted in court. 
  • DON’T let yourself get information about the case from the news media or any other outside source. Even if news reports are accurate and complete, they cannot substitute for your impressions about the case. If you accidentally hear outside information about the case during trial, tell a member of the court staff in private.           
  • DON’T express your opinion about the case to other jurors until deliberations begin.   
  • DO arrive on time and return promptly after breaks and lunch. The trial cannot proceed until all jurors are present. 
  • You will be provided with a pen and paper to take notes during the trial. These notes are for your personal use and are not to be shared with anyone until deliberations begin.  

DURING DELIBERATION

  • DO consult with other jurors before making up your mind about a verdict. 
  • DO work out differences between yourself and other jurors through complete and fair discussions of the evidence and of the judge’s instructions. DON’T lose your temper, try to bully or refuse to listen to the opinions of other jurors. 
  • DON’T mark or write on exhibits or otherwise change or injure them. 
  • DO reconsider your views in light of your deliberations, and change them if you have become convinced they are wrong. 
  • DON’T change your convictions about the importance or effect of evidence just because other jurors disagree with you or so that the jury can decide on a verdict. 
  • DON’T try to guess what might happen if the case you have heard is appealed. Appellate courts deal only with legal questions—they will not change your verdict if you decided the facts based on proper evidence and instructions. 
  • DON’T talk to anyone about your deliberations or about the verdict until the judge discharges the jury. After discharge, you may discuss the verdict and the deliberations with anyone, including the media, the lawyers, or your family. But DO NOT feel obligated to do so – no juror can be forced to talk without a court order.


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1. HOW WAS I CHOSEN?
2. WHAT KIND OF CASE WILL I HEAR?
3. HOW IS A SIX PERSON JURY SELECTED?
4. WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE EXCUSED?
5. WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE TRIAL?
6. DO’S AND DON’TS FOR JURORS
7. PAYMENT OF JUROR EXPENSES
8. WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JURY SERVICE IN WASHINGTON STATE?