INFORMATION TO PROSPECTIVE JURORS CONCERNING

 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
 

Whatcom County District Court is committed to protecting the safety and security of our community while performing our Constitutional duties. 

The Whatcom County Health Department has declared a Whatcom County health emergency to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community. The Department has recommended that people at higher risk of severe illness stay home and away from large groups of people as much as possible, including public places with lots of people and large gatherings where there would be close contact with others. The Whatcom County Health Department recommendations can be viewed at the following link: 
 
https://www.whatcomcounty.us/3369/Current-Recommendations-For-Whatcom-Coun
 
Jurors: If you meet any of the following criteria, you may contact the District Court Jury Coordinator at (360)778-5435 to defer your service to a later date. If you’d like to be considered for exemption, please complete your questionnaire with a written request and submit it for review.

• You have a chronic health condition such as heart disease, lung disease and/or diabetes;
• You have a weakened immune system;
• You are pregnant;
• You are age 60 or older and you do not wish to report for jury duty, or
• You are sick or have recently been in contact with someone who is sick.

General Juror Information

You may view general juror information online.
 

Juror Reporting Procedures

 Please read carefully:
 
 Understanding Your Summons
 On the face of your summons, below the barcode, is your Juror #. You will need to know this number when you check the Jury Line throughout your term. The first day of your term is also on the face of your summons. Your "term" is an on-call period of 1 week, with the possibility of being seated on a trial that lasts longer. The duration of each trial will be made known during jury selection.
  

Checking the Jury Line

 After 5 p.m. the evening before your term begins, call the number below and press option 1 to listen to the Jury Line. If jurors are needed the following day, the recorded message will indicate a range of juror numbers that need to report.  It will also give specific reporting instructions regarding time, location, etc. If your Juror # falls within the range given, you will need to follow these reporting instructions. If you are not needed on the first day, the message will indicate when you need to check the Jury Line next. You will continue to check this Jury Line throughout your term, unless the recorded message indicates service is complete prior to the end of your term. If you are selected to hear a trial, the judge will convey your daily reporting instructions to you. 
 
 Jury Line: 360-778-5435
  

Jurors With Disabilities

 If you have special service, access or sensory needs, please contact the Jury Coordinator as soon as possible, so that the courts may have sufficient time to meet your needs. 
 

Please Remember

 Fill out your questionnaire completely and return it immediately to:
 Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk
 c/o Whatcom County Jury Coordinator
 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 401
 Bellingham, WA 98225
 
 Please remember your Juror #! (It is necessary for understanding all reporting instructions.)
 
 And don't forget to call the Jury Line the day BEFORE your term begins!
  

Juror Parking Instructions

  You can park in the white spaces with the white numbers on the public side of the parking lost South of the courthouse. You must enter this lot from Grand Avenue. Please avoid any yellow or reserved spaces and do not park on the side of the lot where Sheriff's vehicles are located. You will be ticketed or towed if parked in one of these spaces! If the lot is full, you can park on the street in space that is metered or marked for at least 2 hours. This includes all of the pay box spaces with painted numbers on the curb. Please be sure to place your JUROR PARKING PASS on the dashboard of your vehicle so you do not have to pay for parking. 
  
 Click on Juror Reporting Procedures at the top of this page to see a parking map.