2.04.019 Juror questionnaire – Eligibility to serve as juror – Discharge from jury service.
A. A person whose name is included on the preliminary jury list shall be notified that the person has been selected for jury service. Before or at the time a person is scheduled to appear for jury service, a judge or court clerk shall question the person as to the person’s competency to act as a jury under BC 2.04.016. If a judge or court clerk determines that a person so questioned is incompetent to act as a juror, the person shall be discharged from jury service.
B. A person may be questioned about the person’s competency to act as a juror either in person or by mail.
1. To question a person in person about the person’s competency to act as a juror, a judge or court clerk shall first require the person to declare by oath or affirmation that the answers to the questions about the person’s competency to act as juror shall be truthful.
2. To question a person by mail about the person’s competency to act as a juror, the presiding judge may cause to be mailed or delivered, with or without a juror’s summons, a juror questionnaire along with instructions for completion of the questionnaire and return of the completed questionnaire by mail or personal delivery to the court clerk. A completed juror questionnaire shall contain the questioned person’s signed declaration that the responses to the questions on the form are true to the best of the person’s knowledge. Notarization of a completed questionnaire shall not be required.
C. A person who knowingly makes a false statement of material fact in response to a question regarding the person’s competency to serve as a juror may be punished for contempt.
D. If a person fails to return a properly completed juror questionnaire as instructed, a judge of the court may direct the person to appear forthwith and properly complete a questionnaire. If the person fails to appear as directed, a judge of the court may order the person to appear and show cause for that failure. If the person fails to appear pursuant to the order or appears and fails to show good cause, the person may be punished for contempt.
E. Before or at the time a person reports for jury service, a judge or court clerk may discuss with the person any questions on the juror questionnaire and the grounds for any incompetency of the person to act as a juror. Any pertinent information so acquired may be noted on the form. [BC 2.04.019, added by Ordinance No. 3517, 6/10/86]