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Juror Resources

Juror Orientation

jurors in a courtroomTrial by jury is a cornerstone of our democracy. The Oregon and United States Constitutions protect our right to trial by jury. Jury service is one of the most important rights and responsibilities of American citizenship. 

As you arrive to the Washington County Circuit Court courthouse you will initially be required to clear a security screening. These security screenings are there to ensure that there is a safe and secure environment for everyone at the courthouse. While there may be on occasion a line to clear security at the entrance, by preparing to go through security, you can limit the wait time. Therefore, as you enter the screening area, please be prepared to remove jewelry, watches, belts, and shoes. And, to open your purse or briefcase. You are welcome to bring a snack, lunch, or beverage with you. However, if your beverage is in an open container, be prepared to take a sip as you proceed through the security screening process. 

Weapons of any type are prohibited in the courthouse. Security is not authorized to hold or otherwise secure any personal item of those entering into the courthouse. If you have a medical condition, or otherwise require accommodations please contact the Jury Coordinator or the ADA Coordinator.

We thank those who have spent the time -- and completed the hard work -- of serving on a jury.

 

Deferral Information

Washington County will generally defer service one time unless good cause is shown. If you are unable to serve on the date for which you have been summoned to appear, use the online Juror Response Form​ to request a deferral.

Jurors are asked to propose other possible dates to fulfill their service. These proposed dates may not be more than one (1) year from the original jury summons date. A new jury summons will be sent to you for the new term of jury service. You may defer your service to any day of the week, except for Monday, as this is not a day that jurors typically report for jury duty. If you have questions regarding deferral, please contact the Jury Coordinator.​

 

Excusal Information

​If you no longer live in Washington County, are not a citizen of the United States, or are under the age of 18, you do not qualify to serve as a juror. 

The Court will excuse you from service if you are (i) 70-years or older on the date of jury service, or (ii) are a nursing mother, and you request on such grounds. 
For excuses on other grounds, you must show good cause, including for example:
  1. jury service causes you, your family, or your employer undue hardship or extreme inconvenience; or,
  2. you are the sole caregiver for a child or other dependent, personally attend to the dependent during the Court's normal hours, and are unable to afford daycare or make other arrangements for the care of the dependent.
If you believe that you have grounds to be excused, please fill out the online Juror Response Form​ to request an excusal or contact the Washington County Circuit Court Jury Coordinator as soon as possible after receiving your summons. 

Jury Coordinator
503-846-8888​ Ext. 55005 (M-F 1-5pm)

 

FAQs

Please review the postcard summons in its entirety. Once you have reviewed your postcard summons, please follow the instructions on the back of your postcard summons by starting at Step 1, Respond to Step 1.  After completing the initial qualifying jury summons questionnaire, there will follow an option to request to either be excused or deferred from jury service.

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​MAX Light Rail Station - The Hatfield Government Center Max station is at the west end of the MAX line, between Washington and Main on SW Adams in Hillsboro, and is within one block from the courthouse. Consult the map in the jury summons. https://trimet.org/

Tri-Met Buses – https://trimet.org/​
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There is free all-day parking available to jurors.  Please refer to the back of your postcard summons for the address of the parking location structure, Washington Street Parking Structure, 221 South 1st Avenue, Hillsboro, OR, 97123. Link to Google Map​

Petit Summons: You could be scheduled to serve one day or one trial. Summoned jurors will report to the courthouse on the date and time noted in their summons, and if selected for a trial, will remain until that trial concludes. If you are not selected for a trial, you will be dismissed. This will complete your term of service for two years.

Grand Jury Summons: All jurors attend an orientation session where panels of jurors will be selected to serve for 5 weeks. Anyone not selected will be excused from jury duty for at least the next 2 years. Selected jurors will serve 1-2 days per week depending on the panel they are selected for.

Special Jury Summons: A special summons is for a single trial that is usually longer than our typical trials. A large group of jurors are called in to fill out questionnaires and attend an orientation session. Jurors then return on a later date for jury selection. The jurors who are selected will serve on the trial until it is over. Anyone who is not selected will be excused for at least the next two years. If you receive a special jury summons you may not request a deferral.


​​To be a juror in Washington County, you must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Washington County, 18 years of age or older, and not have previously served on any state or federal jury within the last 2-years. You may also be ineligible for service ​if your rights and privileges have been withdrawn and not restored as provided under Oregon law. See ORS 137.281​.​​

​Contact the Washington County Circuit Court Jury Coordinator or ADA Coordinator as soon as possible after receiving your summons. 

Jury Coordinator
503-846-8888 Ext. 55005 (M-F 1-5pm)


Special Jury Summons (Green Special Summons)
Check the recorded the telephone message 503-846-8888, option 3, 6, 2, 1 for information regarding reporting. 

Regular Jury Summons (White Postcard/Red Petit Juror Banner Summons)
If your juror number is selected for service, you must report at 7:45 a.m. on the date noted in your summons to Washington County Circuit Court, 145 NE 2nd Avenue, Hillsboro, Oregon. 

Check the Jury Reporting Schedule or the recorded telephone message, 503-846-8820​, to confirm that your juror number is in the juror group that has been selected to report. 
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View Google Map​ for directions to the courthouse.​

​​A grand jury is a special kind of jury that hears evidence in criminal cases and votes on whether there is enough evidence to issue an indictment charging a person with a crime. The term of service for grand jurors is one or two days per week for 5 weeks.​​

​No.  Oregon law provides that an employer shall not discharge or threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce an employee by reason of the employee’s service as a juror. 


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​Jury Coordinator
503-846-8888​ Ext. 55005 (M-F 1-5pm)

wsh.jury@ojd.state.or.us​


​Please contact the Jury Coordinator:


Mail:
Jury Coordinator
Washington County Courthouse
145 NE 2nd Avenue
Hillsboro, Oregon 97124



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