In WA, pay and child care present obstacles to jury diversity and participation

Under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, defendants in criminal cases have the right to a jury of their peers at trial. But in Washington state, it might not always work out that way for people of color.

A 2021 study published by Seattle University found that out of 33 Washington courts researchers followed, there was an under representation of Black, Indigenous, and people of color within the jury pools of all but one.

This issue isn't new.

"We recognized about two decades ago that there was a significant problem, especially when we look at racial disparities in sentencing. So obviously, there in the decision-making process is a place where we could look at to see where inequities exist," said State Senator Yasmin Trudeau, (D-Tacoma).

Trudeau is the lead sponsor of Senate Bill 5128, which could address some of the barriers that prevent Washingtonians from participating on a jury in the first place.

Soundside host Libby Denkmann caught up with Sen. Trudeau to talk about the scope of the issue and the obstacles to jury service here in Washington. Denkmann also caught up with King County Superior Court Judge Steve Rosen about the efforts attorneys and judges have made to raise awareness about the issue of jury diversity.

Listen to the full interviews above.