With the COVID-19 scare in full force and effect, the King County Superior Court has taken the extraordinary measure of altering its jury duty requirements. This week the court announced that it is now temporarily permitting prospective jurors to be excused from jury duty if they have one or more specific health related issues. These health issues range from heart disease to a weakened immune system, and includes diabetes, lung disease and even pregnancy. Regardless of health, those over 60 years of age are excused from jury duty and don’t have to appear for their civic duty if they don’t want to … and certainly if they themselves have been sick or have recently come into contact with someone who has been sick. The court, in an abundance of caution, has stepped up its cleaning routine in-and-around the courthouse, including the rooms where prospective jurors congregate, check-in (or otherwise assemble) for jury duty. That said, the court has chosen to permit for certain people to avoid jury duty altogether due to COVID-19 concerns. These changes in jury duty obligation are temporary and will return to normal at some date in the future, but for now, the right to a ‘jury of our peers’ has been somewhat altered.
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges (whether the case is going to a jury trial or not) it may be wise to immediately hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Defense Lawyer. The Seattle Criminal Defense Attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified and reputable Seattle Criminal Defense Attorneys that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those arrested or charged for crime all across Western Washington and the Greater Puget Sound region. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible in light of all the surrounding circumstances of the given case. So, whether you are cited with an infraction or arrested and/or charged with misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or a felony, protect yourself … call SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900.
