The Circuit Court for Washington County has announced a reduction in the duration of trial jury service from one month to one week. This change aims to accommodate the professional and family obligations of jurors, according to Washington County Circuit Court Judge Daniel P. Dwyer. "The term is being modified to respond to the needs of the public, whose professional and family obligations may make a one-month term of service difficult to fulfill," said Judge Dwyer. He expressed gratitude alongside fellow judges Dana Moylan Wright, Viki M. Pauler, Mark K. Boyer, and Brett R. Wilson for the dedication shown by jurors.
The decision followed observations by court staff of increased absenteeism among jurors due to the lengthy service requirement. Washington County Circuit Court Clerk Kevin R. Tucker noted that this prompted a review of the jury process in the county. A local work group was formed to investigate and recommend changes, leading to the decision to shorten the term while allowing jurors who serve on a panel to be excused for the rest of their week-long term.
Tucker stated that "the overall goals are to continue to provide a jury trial to individuals who have opted for a trial with a jury of their peers, and to be responsive to the needs of the citizens of Washington County." He assured that other aspects of jury service would remain largely unchanged.
Jurors in Washington County receive $15 per day for their service and 30 cents per mile for travel between their home and the courthouse. Jury pools are randomly selected from residents registered to vote or holding a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration-issued driver's license or ID card.
Exemptions from jury duty can be requested by those who served on a trial jury in the previous year, individuals over 70 years old, members of Congress, or active-duty military personnel. The six-month term for grand jury service remains unchanged.