Requests to be Rescheduled or Excused
Previous excusals do not warrant future excusals. Each instance must be addressed as if it is the first time the court is hearing your request. We do not maintain records (from previous years in which you may have been summoned) of your previous medical or previous requests to be excused. A request to be excused does not mean you are automatically excused. Each request is reviewed by the Court and a written response will be mailed by postcard and your information will be updated online. We stop accepting requests to be postponed or excused at 10 am on the last business day before a service term begins. If it is a time sensitive issue, please call Jury Administration 564.397.2049 or email juries@clark.wa.gov
Excusal Requests
The Jury Questionnaire must be completed and returned, even if you have a request to be excused. The court will not entertain your request unless you complete the required questionnaire. The survey prior to the jury questionnaire is voluntary and can be skipped. You may add an additional page to convey your situation and request, if needed. All excusals may be mailed or emailed to our Jury administrators.
Jurors over the age of 70 may request to be excused without documentation. If you are a juror in this situation, please fill out your juror questionnaire and indicate that you would like to be excused due to age. Once the questionnaire is received by Jury Administration, you will be excused.
Childcare/Dependent care
In regard to childcare, we would appreciate if you would reschedule your jury service to another date when you can make necessary care arrangements rather than asking to be excused. Jurors with childcare issues may be rescheduled to a 1 day jury service term upon request. Bringing children to jury duty is not permitted under any circumstance and jurors who do so will not be excused.
Students
Email Jury Administration a copy of your school schedule as proof of enrollment during the jury term. Parents should forward the questionnaire to the summoned person/student but may not respond to the summons on behalf of the student. If the student is attending college outside the United States, please have the student contact our office directly. Providing a school schedule will permit a rescheduling to a time when the student is not enrolled in classes within the next 6 months. We do not excuse jurors for being a student unless they have established residency outside the county via a new state issued driver's license, ID card, or voter registration.
Moved out of Clark County
Attach a copy of your state issued driver’s license, ID card, or voter registration showing a non Clark County address.
Military
Attach a copy of duty station orders/directives (a spouse or legal Power of Attorney may do this on your behalf - they must print and sign their name, if applicable, with "POA" afterwards).
Medical
Briefly explain the nature of the situation and attach a signed note by a primary care physician which states why in their professional opinion, the circumstance prevents your participation in jury service. Do not send lists of medications, appointment information, or diagnosis information. These will not permit excusal. If it is a temporary or short duration medical situation, you will be rescheduled.
Any other reasons or requests
Including requests to be rescheduled, must also be placed in writing with enough detail for the Court to gain an understanding into why Jury Service may be difficult for you at this time. If your request to be excused is denied, or you seek a postponement or rescheduled service, please indicated the calendar dates you prefer, and we will attempt to accommodate that. Jurors may receive up to 3 postponement/rescheduled service terms not to exceed 6 months from their original service date.
RCW 2.36.170: Failure to appear – Penalty
A person summoned for jury service who intentionally fails to appear as directed shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.