Jury Trials & Selection

Jury Trials

The right to a trial by jury is 1 of our most important rights and is guaranteed by the Washington State and United States constitutions. In Municipal Court, a pool of about 20 jurors will be called in for the jury selection process. 

The judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, and the 1 accused of the crime conduct this process in the courtroom. This process will eliminate all but 6 jurors, who will then be empaneled to hear the evidence.

Types of Cases

During the jury trial, the judge will make decisions concerning legal issues that may arise. At times, the jury may be removed from the courtroom while attorneys on both sides argue a point. In the end, it will be the jurors' job to decide the case based on the facts presented. You may be called upon to hear cases concerning:

• Disorderly conduct
• Domestic violence assault
• Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• Malicious mischief
• Simple assault
• Theft

In Bremerton Municipal Court it is very rare to have a trial last more than 2 days.

Jury Selection

Juror's names are selected at random from voter and/or driver's license registration records. The Kitsap County Clerk's office will mail out juror questionnaires to prospective jurors to determine qualification, gather returned data, assign juror numbers. The County Clerk's Office then randomly draws those numbers when a jury panel is needed.

Eligibility

To qualify as a juror, you must be 18 years old, a United States citizen, and a resident of Kitsap County.

Compensation

Jurors are paid $10 per day plus mileage to cover gas and parking expenses.