**REPORTING JURORS**

As of March 11, 2022 – Update from Superior Court regarding COVID-19 Response Activities. Mason County Superior Court is committed to protecting the safety and security of our community while performing our Constitutional duties. The Court is open but has modified operations.

The COVID-19 Courthouse protocol remains in effect at this time (see the most recent Administrative Order re Mitigation dated March 11, 2022, posted below). The Court may consider adjustments to the protocol at a later date.

March 11, 2022 - Juror COVID Precautions

March 11, 2002 – Administrative Order re Mitigation

 

The Office of the Superior Court Clerk is responsible for calling citizens for jury duty for Superior, District and Municipal Courts. The Jury Coordinator runs a computer program that selects prospective jurors from lists of voter registrations, driver registrations and Washington State identification cards for residents of Mason County.

*** Click Here to Complete my Questionnaire ***

Click herefor reporting instructions (Currently scheduled jurors only)
*** Reporting times may vary.  Please call the Jury information line below. ***

Mason County Jury Service
419 N. 4th St.
PO Box 340
Shelton, WA 98584

Jury Information Line:
Shelton - (360) 427-8447 or:
Belfair - (360) 275-4467 ext. 447

Jury Coordinator Phone:
(360) 427-9670 ext. 537

** ALERT TO JURORS **

Re: Requests for Personal Information by Phone

In the last several days we have received information from the public stating that someone is calling from the Mason County Sheriff’s Department concerning outstanding warrants for their arrest due to a failure to appear for jury duty. Please be advised that no one from the Sheriff’s Office is making those calls. If you get a phone call regarding warrants for failure to appear for jury duty contact your local law enforcement agency or the Clerk’s office. Under no circumstances should you agree to send money or give out any personal information. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Jury Duty
 1. How do I respond to my summons?
 2. Why is jury duty important?
 3. What is my duty as a juror?
 4. How was I selected for jury duty?
 5. Who is eligible for jury duty?
 6. How long does jury duty last?
 7. Who can be excused from jury service?
 8. Can jury duty be rescheduled?
 9. What type of cases are heard by jurors?
10. Are jurors paid for jury service?
11. Must my employer pay me while I am on jury duty?
12. How do I get to court?
13. How do I report for jury duty?
14. Where do I park when I report for jury service?
15. Is security provided?
16. What should I wear for jury duty?

1. How do I respond to my summons?
Go to jury.co.mason.wa.us, and use our online service to complete the questionnaire, postpone your service or request to be excused. If responding online, do not return the paper questionnaire. If you prefer to respond in writing, please return the questionnaire within five days. If the website is down, please send the questionnaire via US Mail or deliver to the drop box outside the courthouse.

 

2. Why is jury duty important?
The United States Constitution and the Washington State Constitution guarantee all people the right to trial by an impartial jury. Justice ultimately depends in large measure on the jurors who serve in our courts.

 

3. What is my duty as a juror?
As a juror, you must be fair and impartial. Your actions and decisions must be free of any bias or prejudice. You must apply the law given by the judge to the facts given during the trial to make a decision in a case.

 

4. How was I selected for jury duty?
You were selected at random from lists of voter registrations, driver registrations, and Washington State identification cards for residents of Mason County.

 

5. Who is eligible for jury duty?
To be eligible for jury duty, you must:

• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Reside in Mason County.
• Be able to communicate in the English language.

You cannot serve on a jury if you have been convicted of a felony and your civil rights have not been restored. If you are in doubt about your eligibility for jury service and you were convicted in the state of Washington, you may contact the Mason County Clerk's office at (360) 427-9670 ext. 346. Otherwise contact the state in which you were convicted.

 

6. How long does jury duty last?
Jury duty in Mason County can vary from less than one day to more than one week; however, your call-in obligation is three weeks only. If selected, jurors are required to serve for the duration of a trial.

 

7. Who can be excused from jury service?
You can make a request to be excused using our online service. If you prefer, you may make a written request by completing the paper questionnaire and returning it within five days.

 

8. Can jury duty be rescheduled?
Yes. If you wish to postpone your jury duty to a more convenient date, you must state the reason you cannot serve during the scheduled time and identify a three-week period when you can serve.. Use our online service to postpone your service term (within a 90 day period): go to online service to postpone your service term. Reschedule requests can also be made in writing by returning your questionnaire via US mail or the drop box.

 

9. What type of cases are heard by jurors?
Jurors may be selected for District, Superior or Municipal Court cases ranging from misdemeanors, such as driving under the influence of alcohol, to felonies such as first degree murder.

 

10. Are jurors paid for jury service?
Jurors are paid for each day they report for service in addition to round-trip mileage from their residence to the courthouse.

 

11. Must my employer pay me while I am on jury duty?
Your employer is not required to pay you while you are on jury duty; however, employers are prohibited by law from firing an employee for serving as a juror.

 

12. How do I get to court?
District and Superior Court Location: The Mason County Courthouse is located in downtown Shelton at 419 N. 4th Street. Click here for directions

Municipal Court Location: Municipal Court is located in downtown Shelton at 525 W Cota St. Street. Click here for directions

 

13. How do I report for jury duty?
Where to go:
The Jury Information Line or Website will instruct jurors about where to report.

When to Report:

After 6:00 p.m., the night before your term starts, the Jury Line or Website will instruct jurors as to what time to report. Please be prompt. One late juror can waste the time of the many persons involved in a trial.

Identification Badges:
Jurors will be issued Juror badges if selected for the trial. Badges should be worn in plain view at all times (including lunch) during jury service.

Smoking:
State law prohibits smoking in all parts of the Courthouse. Smoking is permitted outside the building; however, because of time limitations there will not always be opportunities to go outside.

 

14. Where do I park when I report for jury services?
Parking is available in the gravel lot at 4th and Pine as well as disabled parking on W. Alder Street. Additional parking is available around the courthouse if needed.

 

15. Is security provided?
The courthouse has weapons screening officers and a metal detector. Everyone entering the courthouse will be screened. Please do not take this personally, as it is a safety feature for all of us. It is recommended that you limit what you bring with you to the courthouse as it will save time going through screening. Firearms, knives and other dangerous weapons or sharp objects may not be taken into the courthouse.

 

16. What should I wear for jury duty?
This building was built more than 80 years ago. Temperatures in this building vary from courtroom to courtroom and waiting areas. Business casual is the dress code for jury duty and we recommend that you dress in layers. Please do not wear sleepwear, beachwear, athletic wear or shorts.

 

For additional information about jury services click here

Mason County Clerk's Office: Charles G. Rhodes, County Clerk
Street Address: 419 N. 4th St., Shelton, WA 98584
Mailing Address: PO Box 340, Shelton, WA 98584
Main phone: (360) 427-9670 ext. 346