IF YOU RECEIVE A CALL RE: JURY SERVICE AND THEY ASK FOR MONEY DO NOT MAKE ANY PAYMENTS TO THEM. PLEASE NOTIFY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE CLERK'S OFFICE.
Persons receiving a Jury Summons from the Benton County Clerk's Office have been randomly chosen from the pool of prospective jurors.
Prospective jurors must complete the juror questionnaire at https://eresponse.co.benton.wa.us/ within five (5) days of receipt of their summons. All information received will be treated confidentially. It is important to provide complete information so that the court can either qualify you to serve or excuse you from service.
If a prospective juror encounters circumstances, such as personal emergencies, reasonable accommodations will be made to defer service to a later date. Every special circumstance will be addressed on an individual basis and should be referred to the Clerk's Office.
To speak with a jury deputy, you may call 509-735-8388 x. 3094. Due to high volume of calls, please leave a message if you are unable to reach a jury deputy.
Jury Service
Each juror is assigned a Juror ID number for the two week term of jury service.
Jurors may call 509-736-3055 after 6:00 p.m. on the Friday before the first day of jury duty and listen to the entire message for their reporting date and time. The recording will tell the juror if they are supposed to report for jury service on the next court day. (Reminder: Please listen to the entire recording) or visit the Jury Reporting Schedule and check for your Juror ID number and reporting time. Jurors may also go to https://eresponse.co.benton.wa.us/ to find their reporting information.
If the juror is not needed to report, they need to check their reporting status each weekend of their 2-week jury term.
Most jury trials last 3 to 4 days and jurors are free to return home in the evenings. Jurors are asked to report one time and serve on one trial.
Jurors are selected at random from lists of Benton County voter registrations, driver licenses, and Washington State identification cards. The lists are combined, and duplicate names are eliminated. However, different spellings or name variations may result in duplication.
An employer (any person, association, partnership, or private or public corporation who employs or exercises control over wages, hours, or working conditions of one or more employees) shall provide an employee with a sufficient leave of absence from employment to serve as a juror when that employee is summoned. State law (RCW 2.36.165) says employers "shall not deprive an employee or threaten, coerce, or harass an employee or deny an employee promotional opportunities" for serving as a juror. If an employer commits an act in violation of this RCW, the employee may bring a civil action for damages as a result of this violation. However, an employer is not required to compensate the employee while away for jury service.
To check your reporting status, you have 3 options:
- Check the Clerk's website for jury reporting information
- https://eresponse.co.benton.wa/
- Call the jury reporting line at 509-736-3055 (please have your juror # when calling)
Juror Qualifications
To qualify for jury duty, you must:
- Be a citizen of the United States
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Reside in Benton County
- Be able to communicate in the English language (RCW 2.36.070)
Very few people are excused from jury duty. Jurors will be excused only upon a demonstration of undue financial hardship or extreme inconvenience or for other reasons deemed adequate by the court. (RCW 2.36.100) Any juror wishing to be excused from service must complete the jury questionnaire.
Excuses
If there is a medical reason why a person cannot serve, a physician's written verification is required. The juror will be notified if the request is denied.
If the juror is 80 years old or older and you would like to request permanent excusal due to medical issues, you must complete the Juror Attestation Form and send the signed attestation to the Clerk's Office by emailing Jury@co.benton.wa.us or deliver to 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Ste. A210, Kennewick, WA 99336. A physician's verification is not necessary if you are 80 years old or older.
Requests for Postponements
If a juror has vacation plans or special appointments and/or events during the term that he or she is scheduled for jury duty, he or she may request to have their jury duty postponed to a different term. Notice of Postponement will be emailed and the juror will be re-summoned at a later date. Please do not call the Clerk's Office asking to be excused over the phone as phone requests cannot be considered.
Failure to appear for jury duty is a misdemeanor under RCW 2.36.170 and may result in the issuance of a warrant. If you are unable to report as instructed, you must notify the Clerk's Office immediately during regular office hours.
Jurors are paid $10 per day and mileage at the current State rate. Benton County utilizes a debit card payment system. You will receive your debit card at the time of your initial check-in. Call the Jury Deputy at 509-735-8388 x. 3094 with any questions.
Courtroom Etiquette
- Dress appropriately. Dress slacks, shirt, skirt, or blouse show respect for the court. Clean jeans and dress shirt would also be acceptable. Hats are not allowed except for religious or medical reasons.
- Food or drinks are not allowed in the courtroom.
- Weapons of any kind are not allowed in the courthouse.
- The courtroom is not an appropriate place for children. Please arrange for someone to watch your children when you report for jury duty.
You may park in the parking lot located in front of the Benton County Justice Center. Handicapped parking is also available. For those wishing to use the Ben Franklin Transit, please call (509) 735-5100 or view route and schedule information.
- For additional information on jury service, see A Juror's Guide.
- For more information on the court system, see A Citizens Guide to Washington State Courts.
