Can I get out of jury duty in Washington?
Washington jury service is governed by RCW Chapter 2.36. The superior court of each county administers the jury pool.
1. Qualifications (RCW § 2.36.070)
2. Statutory Exemptions
3. Age-Based Excusal
Washington does not have a fixed statutory age cap, but persons 80 years of age or older are routinely excused on request. RCW § 2.36.100 permits the judge broad discretion.
4. Hardship Excusal (RCW § 2.36.100)
The court may excuse for:
5. Juror Pay (RCW § 2.36.150)
6. Employer Rules (RCW § 2.36.165)
Employers may not threaten, coerce, or fire an employee called for jury duty. Wage payment is not statutorily required, but employers cannot deduct from PTO without consent.
7. Penalties for Skipping
Failure to appear is contempt of court under RCW § 2.36.170 — fines up to $500 per occurrence.
This is legal information, not legal advice.
- You are facing a contempt charge for missing a jury duty summons
- Your employer retaliated, demoted, or fired you for serving on a jury
- You were denied excusal despite legitimately qualifying (age, disability, hardship)
- RCW § 2.36.070
- RCW § 2.36.100
- RCW § 2.36.150
- RCW § 2.36.165
- RCW § 2.36.170
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.