City Of Lake Forest Park: Administrative Order No. 2021-6 - Vaccination And Testing Requirements For Jury Service

Press release from the City of Lake Forest Park:

September 23, 2021

IN THE LAKE FOREST PARK MUNICIPAL COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF KING

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2021-6

Vaccination and Testing Requirements for Jury Service

WHEREAS The Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court has issued an emergency order in response to the public health emergency that affects operations of trial courts in Washington State on March 4, 2020; and

WHEREAS the Washington State Supreme Court has adopted Order No. 25700-B-602, granting emergency authority to this court to adopt, modify, and suspend court rules and orders, and to take further actions concerning court operations, as warranted to address the current state of emergency; and

WHEREAS The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose serious health risks to individuals in King County and specifically, persons who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 are at greater risk of spreading the DELTA variant of the virus. Also, persons who are vaccinated and exposed to the virus and/or the DELTA variant can experience “break-through” infections and are at risk for serious short and long-term complications from the illness; and

WHEREAS jury selection can be accomplished via Zoom, jury service in criminal cases must be done in person. Jurors selected to serve are seated together and share space throughout the day.

During trial, while they are seated in the courtroom, there is sufficient space for proper social distancing. However, they must also, at times, be in closer proximity to each other in the jury deliberation room. In addition, jurors have access to only one small restroom; and

WHEREAS wearing masks indoors is not as effective to protect against spread of the virus or DELTA variant as being fully vaccinated and wearing a mask.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

Effective September 17, 2021, persons selected to serve on a jury must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination and photo ID. For persons who are unvaccinated or cannot prove vaccine status, they will be required to show proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test in the last 72 hours prior to service, or a negative rapid test result from a test conducted on site at the courthouse, just prior to entry.

All persons within the building and courtroom will be required to wear a mask at all times. All persons in the courtroom will be provided KN95 masks and asked to wear them, if possible.

DATED this 17th day of September 2021.

Linda S. Portnoy, Presiding Judge

This press release was produced by the City of Lake Forest Park. The views expressed here are the author’s own.