Chapter 2.24
JURIES AND JURY TRIALS
Sections:
2.24.030 Disqualification of jurors.
2.24.090 Final jury selection.
2.24.110 Notice – Contempt of court.
2.24.010 Master jury list.
At least once a year, upon order of the municipal judge, the court clerk shall prepare or obtain a master list of names and places of residence of persons selected by random means from electoral rolls. If the master list becomes exhausted or the presiding judge believes it soon will become so, additional jurors may be added to the master list from the electoral rolls in the same random manner as before, and these persons may be summoned in the same manner as those added to the term jury list. (Ord. 3276 § 2 (Att. A), 2022; Ord. 2544 § 1, 1988)
2.24.020 Jury term list.
Not less than 10 days from the beginning of the jury term ordered by the municipal judge, a term jury list of names and places of residence of persons randomly selected from the master jury list shall be prepared. The number of names on the list shall be determined, as needed, by the municipal judge. (Ord. 3276 § 2 (Att. A), 2022; Ord. 2544 § 2, 1988)
2.24.030 Disqualification of jurors.
When it appears to the municipal judge that the person whose name is drawn is dead, resides out of the city, or is otherwise ineligible to serve, the ballot shall be destroyed. If it appears to the municipal judge that a person whose name is drawn is temporarily absent from the city, or is ill, or is so engaged as to be unable to attend at the time of the trial without great inconvenience, the ballot shall be laid aside, the name not placed on the jury list for the trial for which the jury in being selected, but such ballot shall be returned to the jury box after the drawing is completed. (Ord. 3276 § 2 (Att. A), 2022; Ord. 2544 § 3, 1988)
2.24.040 Juror summons.
Not less than 21 days before the beginning of the jury term, the court clerk shall mail notice of summons, juror questionnaire, and information letter to each person on the term jury list. If the term jury list becomes exhausted or the presiding judge believes it may become so, additional jurors may be selected from the master list and added to the term jury list in the same random manner as before. These may be summoned either by written notice through the mail or by official personal delivery, at a reasonable period of time before attendance is required. (Ord. 3276 § 2 (Att. A), 2022; Ord. 2544 § 4, 1988)
2.24.050 Juror orientation.
At the time a person is summoned to serve as a juror, the municipal judge shall question the person to determine the eligibility of that person to serve as a juror. This may be accomplished by sending juror eligibility forms to each prospective juror by mail or official delivery along with the summons. Failure to complete and return the form with accurate information and by a specified date without a proper showing of just cause for such a failure can result in punishment for contempt. Review of the juror questionnaire shall usually be done prior to the trial date. The municipal judge shall determine the eligibility of a sufficient number of jurors for the trial. (Ord. 3276 § 2 (Att. A), 2022; Ord. 2544 § 5, 1988)
2.24.060 Trial schedule.
Repealed by Ord. 3276. (Ord. 2544 § 6, 1988)
2.24.070 Pretrial conference.
Repealed by Ord. 3276. (Ord. 2544 § 7, 1988)
2.24.080 Juror confirmation.
Each juror shall be instructed to contact the municipal court clerk prior to each scheduled jury trial assigned to that juror and to record confirmation of their availability. The municipal court clerk shall prepare the jury list from juror confirmations for the municipal judge. (Ord. 3276 § 2 (Att. A), 2022; Ord. 2544 § 8, 1988)
2.24.090 Final jury selection.
At the time of trial, all summoned jurors not previously excused shall be called by the municipal judge for to the jury box for voir dire examination by the city attorney and defense counsel. Potential jurors may be excused by the municipal judge for cause as defined under state law. Each attorney may exercise up to three peremptory challenges in the manner directed by the municipal judge. (Ord. 3276 § 2 (Att. A), 2022; Ord. 2544 § 9, 1988)
2.24.100 Juror compensation.
Jurors who appear at the trial and serve as jurors shall receive as compensation for such services the sum of $10.00 for each day of attendance upon the municipal court. (Ord. 3276 § 2 (Att. A), 2022; Ord. 2544 § 10, 1988)
2.24.110 Notice – Contempt of court.
When a jury is drawn, summons therefor shall be issued and mailed by the municipal judge. Any person notified to appear as a juror and disregarding such notice may be adjudged in contempt of court by the municipal judge. (Ord. 3276 § 2 (Att. A), 2022; Ord. 2544 § 11, 1988)