Jury Duty in Washington: Pay, Exemptions, Excuses and What to Expect (2026)

Washington courts draw jurors at random from a list that merges each county's registered voters with its licensed drivers and identicard holders. If you are 18 or older, a U.S. citizen, a resident of the county, able to communicate in English, and have no felony conviction without your civil rights restored, you are qualified.

The pay is modest. The statute lets each county pay $10 to $25 a day, plus mileage, and the state courts say most counties pay $10. Your employer doesn't have to pay you, but it must give you time off and can't fire, threaten or harass you for serving. A person who intentionally fails to appear commits a misdemeanor. People 80 or older can be excused by right if they attest that health reasons keep them from serving.

The rules are in chapter 2.36 of the Revised Code of Washington and the state Supreme Court's General Rule 28. Each court runs its own jury office, so your summons and the summoning court's website have the local instructions. Everything below is current as of November 2026.

Washington jury duty at a glance

Who can serve

Washington states its qualifications in the negative. RCW 2.36.070:

A person shall be competent to serve as a juror in the state of Washington unless that person: (1) Is less than eighteen years of age; (2) Is not a citizen of the United States; (3) Is not a resident of the county in which he or she has been summoned to serve; (4) Is not able to communicate in the English language; or (5) Has been convicted of a felony and has not had his or her civil rights restored.

Felony convictions. For jury purposes, civil rights are restored once your right to vote has been automatically restored before you report (RCW 2.36.010(1)). For a Washington felony, that happens as long as you aren't serving a sentence of total confinement with the Department of Corrections; for a federal or out-of-state felony, once you are no longer incarcerated (RCW 29A.08.520). King County's jury page puts it simply: a felon who is currently incarcerated can't serve.

How names are chosen. Each year the court compiles a jury source list from the county's registered voters, merged with its licensed drivers and identicard holders (RCW 2.36.010(10), 2.36.055). Selection must be random, from a fair cross section of the community, and no one may be excluded for membership in a protected class or for economic status (RCW 2.36.080). Summonses may come by mail, personal service or electronically (RCW 2.36.095).

The declaration. Before you appear, the court asks you to confirm your qualifications in a written or electronic declaration signed under penalty of perjury. If you declare you aren't qualified, you are excused from appearing. If you skip the declaration, show up, and turn out to be unqualified, you aren't paid (RCW 2.36.072).

Exemptions and excuses

Washington has no list of exemptions by job or status. King County's jury office says there are no occupational or professional exemptions, including for students, teachers, health care providers and the self-employed. What the law offers instead is an excuse, granted for good reason. RCW 2.36.100(1) allows one only "upon a showing of undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, public necessity, or any reason deemed sufficient by the court for a period of time the court deems necessary."

Age 80 and older. Since July 23, 2023, older jurors have a right to be excused. RCW 2.36.100(2):

A person who is 80 years of age or older may request to be excused from jury service if the person attests that the person is unable to serve due to health reasons. An attestation form must be developed by the court and may not include a requirement that a doctor's note be provided. This request must be granted by the court.

There is no general age cap: anyone 80 or older who is able to serve still can.

Breastfeeding, starting January 1, 2027. A 2025 law adds a second excuse by right. From that date, a person who is breastfeeding or expressing breast milk for an infant under 24 months old may ask to delay or be excused from service by signing the court's attestation form, again with no doctor's note required, and the court must grant the request (RCW 2.36.100(2)(b), as amended by chapter 379, Laws of 2025). King County already posts a separate attestation form for breastfeeding mothers.

Medical conditions. Courts handle these as hardship excuses. King County, for example, asks for a physician's letter describing your medical, physical or sensory condition, and treats each new summons as a fresh request; it won't excuse you on the strength of a phone call.

Caregivers. The state courts ask parents and other caregivers to reschedule to a date when they can arrange care rather than ask to be excused.

Recent service. If you have served at least one week in the past twelve months, you may ask in writing to be excused, certifying when you served. Service in superior court, a court of limited jurisdiction, federal district court or a jury of inquest all counts (RCW 2.36.100(4)). King County Superior Court goes further and will excuse anyone who reported for its jury duty in the past 12 months.

Who decides. Judges may delegate excuses and postponements to court staff and county clerks, in writing and under set criteria (GR 28(b)). Once you are in a courtroom, the judge must excuse any juror who shows bias, prejudice, indifference, inattention or another unfitness for service (RCW 2.36.110). Disability accommodations are available; contact the jury administrator or court staff.

Postponing jury duty

The Supreme Court's jury rule tells courts to be generous. GR 28(c):

(1) Postponement of service for personal or work-related inconvenience should be liberally granted when requested in a timely manner. (2) Postponement shall be to a specified period of time within the twelve-month period pursuant to RCW 2.36.100(2).

(The rule's cross-reference uses an older numbering; the reassignment provision is now RCW 2.36.100(3), which lets the court move you to another jury term within the twelve-month period without a new summons.) Your summons lists a phone number or address for asking to reschedule. Many courts take requests online: King County Superior Court lets every person postpone twice through its Juror Portal, and it won't grant an excuse for an appointment you could simply move.

Juror pay

The Legislature sets a range and leaves the rate to each county. RCW 2.36.150:

Jurors shall receive for each day's attendance, besides mileage at the rate determined under RCW 43.03.060, the following expense payments: (1) Grand jurors may receive up to twenty-five dollars but in no case less than ten dollars; (2) Petit jurors may receive up to twenty-five dollars but in no case less than ten dollars;

The same range applies to coroner's juries and district court juries. A few details:

• The county sets the rate, and it must apply uniformly within the county. The state courts say most Washington counties pay $10 a day; King County Superior Court pays $10 a day.
• Mileage is paid at the rate the state Office of Financial Management sets for state employees' travel (RCW 43.03.060). If you travel from outside your own county, you may choose actual, necessary travel expenses instead (RCW 2.40.030). King County fully reimburses train, light rail, bus, ferry and water taxi fares, and gives a mileage allowance if you drive and park.
• Excused at your own request? The court may limit you to a per diem and whatever mileage it finds fair.
• Unemployment benefits. King County says juror pay must be reported to the Employment Security Department and is deducted from unemployment benefits.
• Paychecks are slow. King County mails checks every two weeks, so your last check may arrive two weeks or more after you finish.

The Pierce County pilot. With money from the Legislature, Pierce County Superior Court paid jurors $100 per day instead of the customary $10 from October 14, 2024, until its last pilot trials in spring 2025, to test whether better pay makes juries more representative. The court has since returned to $10 a day, and the Administrative Office of the Courts is studying the results.

Your job is protected

Every employer must let you serve. RCW 2.36.165:

(1) An employer shall provide an employee with a sufficient leave of absence from employment to serve as a juror when that employee is summoned pursuant to chapter 2.36 RCW. (2) An employer shall not deprive an employee of employment or threaten, coerce, or harass an employee, or deny an employee promotional opportunities because the employee receives a summons, responds to the summons, serves as a juror, or attends court for prospective jury service.

What that means for you:

• It covers almost everyone. An employer is any person, association, partnership, or private or public corporation with one or more employees.
• It's a crime to break it. An employer who intentionally violates either duty is guilty of a misdemeanor.
• You can sue. If an employer fires, threatens, coerces or harasses you, or denies you a promotion, because of jury service, you may bring a civil action for damages and for reinstatement. If you win, the court awards a reasonable attorney's fee. The statute sets no special filing deadline.

Pay is up to your employer. The state courts' employer guidelines say state law does not require employers to keep paying employees during jury service, though many employers, including state, federal and many local government agencies, pay for some or all of it. Check your handbook, and if you don't have paid jury leave, tell the court: loss of income can be a hardship.

What happens if you don't show up

Washington treats a deliberate no-show as a crime. RCW 2.36.170:

A person summoned for jury service who intentionally fails to appear as directed shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

The jury statute doesn't set its own punishment, so the general misdemeanor penalty applies: up to 90 days in the county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both (RCW 9.92.030). The key word is intentionally. If an emergency such as a sudden illness, an accident or a death in the family keeps you away, tell the court staff right away. And if you missed a date, call the jury office before anything else.

Your first day

Every court runs its own process, so read your summons first. Here is what the state courts and King County Superior Court describe:

• Respond first, online if you can. King County asks you to log in to its Juror Portal with your badge number, confirm you are eligible, and update your contact details.
• Wait to be told where to go. In King County, don't come to the courthouse until a bailiff gives you a location, date and time. Bailiffs reach jurors by email, phone, text or mail, often with a questionnaire a few days ahead. If you responded at least 7 days before your report date and no bailiff has contacted you by 4:30 p.m. on your summons date, you weren't selected and your service for that term is done.
• Jury selection may be on video. King County encourages remote selection by Zoom on a phone, tablet or computer with a camera; it usually lasts less than an hour.
• Dress comfortably, but skip beach wear, shorts, and halter or tank tops. Hats may not be allowed unless worn for religious or medical reasons.
• Bring something to read. There is a lot of waiting. Many courts allow laptops but may not allow phones, and some restrict newspapers that might cover a trial. King County has public wireless internet.
• Expect security screening. Penknives, knitting needles, scissors and metal nail files may be turned away at the door.
• Plan for parking. King County offers free juror parking at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent; check your court's page for its location.
• Be on time. A trial can't start until every juror is there. If you are delayed, call the court immediately.

Many people summoned never sit on a jury, because cases settle at the last minute. The state courts say most superior court trials last 3 or 4 days, and most district and municipal court trials 1 or 2. If your employer wants proof that you served, ask the jury office.

Grand jury service

Grand juries investigate criminal activity and corruption. A Washington superior court summons one only on an order signed by a majority of its judges, when there is enough evidence of crime or corruption in the county or a public attorney shows good cause (RCW 10.27.030). A grand jury has twelve members (RCW 2.36.010(3)), chosen the same way as trial jurors (RCW 10.27.040) and paid the same $10-to-$25 range. Grand jurors must keep secret what is said and how anyone votes (RCW 10.27.090).

Jury duty scams

Scammers call, text, email and even mail Washington residents claiming that they missed jury duty and must pay to clear a warrant. They can sound convincing, reciting your name, address and even your Social Security number. The Washington courts say that courts, law enforcement and government agencies don't start calls about missed jury service, don't threaten fees or license suspension, and will never ask for payment or financial information. Don't respond, click links or give personal details. King County adds that neither the court nor the sheriff will call to ask for money for a warrant; to check a call, phone the jury office at the number on the court's website. Read the state's court scam warning and the federal courts' juror scam page.

Recent and pending changes

• H.B. 1312 (chapter 205, Laws of 2023), effective July 23, 2023. Lets a person 80 or older be excused by attesting that health reasons keep them from serving, with no doctor's note required.
• 2S.S.B. 5128 (chapter 316, Laws of 2023), effective July 23, 2023. Allowed summonses to be sent electronically, required the courts to collect anonymous juror demographic data, and set up a work group on child care for jurors. From July 1, 2024, people applying for a driver's license or identicard, or registering to vote online, can opt in to receive jury summonses by email.
• Pierce County juror pay pilot, October 14, 2024 to spring 2025. Budget-funded $100-a-day pay in one county; the statute's $10-to-$25 range did not change.
• E2S.S.B. 5217 (chapter 379, Laws of 2025), effective January 1, 2027. Adds the breastfeeding excuse described above, as part of a broader law on pregnancy-related accommodations.

We found no amendment to the juror pay statute, and no enacted 2026 jury bill, as of November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How much does jury duty pay in Washington?

State law lets each county pay jurors $10 to $25 a day, plus mileage, and the rate must be the same throughout the county. The state courts say most counties pay $10 a day, which is what King County pays. Some courts also reimburse public transit fares.

Can my employer fire me for jury duty in Washington?

No. Under RCW 2.36.165, every employer must give you enough leave to serve and may not fire, threaten, coerce or harass you, or deny you a promotion, for being summoned or serving. An employer who intentionally breaks the law commits a misdemeanor, and you can sue for damages, reinstatement and attorney's fees. Your employer doesn't have to pay you while you serve.

How do I get out of jury duty in Washington?

There are no automatic exemptions for your job or for being a student. You can ask the court to excuse you for undue hardship, extreme inconvenience or public necessity, usually with documentation such as a physician's letter for a medical condition. If you are 80 or older and health reasons keep you from serving, the court must excuse you on a signed attestation. Most people find it easier to postpone to a better date, which courts grant liberally.

What happens if I miss jury duty in Washington?

Intentionally failing to appear is a misdemeanor under RCW 2.36.170, punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. If you missed your date by accident or because of an emergency, contact the jury office right away to explain and reschedule.

How often can you be called for jury duty in Washington?

Selection is random, so some people are called often and others never. Within a twelve-month period you can be summoned again only if the court has used up its list, and then you may ask to be excused if you served at least a week in the past year. Some courts, such as King County Superior Court, excuse anyone who reported there in the past 12 months.

Is there an age limit for jury duty in Washington?

You must be at least 18 to serve, and there is no upper age limit. A person who is 80 or older can ask to be excused by attesting that health reasons prevent service, and the court must grant the request. No doctor's note is required.

Where these rules live

• RCW 2.36.070 — qualifications
• RCW 2.36.100 — excuses, age 80, prior service
• GR 28 — postponement, excusal and disqualification
• RCW 2.36.010 — definitions, including length of service
• RCW 2.36.150 — juror pay and mileage
• RCW 2.36.165 — employment protection
• RCW 2.36.170 — failure to appear
• Chapter 2.36 RCW — juries, in full
• Chapter 10.27 RCW — grand juries
• Washington Courts: Jury Duty

For the rules that govern Washington civil trials themselves, see the Washington Superior Court Civil Rules. Another Washington guide: Washington law schools. To compare states, visit the jury duty hub.