Enhancing Jury Diversity: A Policy Analysis of Jury Selection Processes in Washington State

This thesis examines the systemic barriers to jury diversity within Washington State, emphasizing how structural inequities in jury selection processes perpetuate the exclusion of marginalized populations. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study analyzes jury administration practices across 32 counties, integrating quantitative data from state surveys and qualitative insights from procedural reviews. Despite initial plans to conduct interviews with jury administrators and academic partners, a lack of institutional cooperation likely driven by federal rollbacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives necessitated a pivot to publicly available data. Findings reveal persistent disparities in juror representation along racial, economic, and educational lines, exacerbated by reliance on voter registration and Department of Licensing records, insufficient juror compensation, and inconsistent non-response enforcement. Highlighting the ongoing legislative efforts to enhance data collection, this analysis underscores the need for comprehensive policy reform. The thesis concludes by proposing a policy roadmap that addresses pre-stage and early-stage barriers, advocates for diversified source lists, and recommends standardized protocols for data collection and juror compensation. This framework aims to foster more representative jury pools in Washington while contributing to broader discussions on equity and access within the justice system.