Can you knit? Things that might surprise you about Pierce County jury duty
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- Jurors receive $10/day, biweekly mileage checks, and limited parking permits.
- Summons require county residency and online registration; no-shows can be misdemeanor.
- Pierce County bars knitting and similar tools in courtrooms as weapons.
It might come as a surprise, but knitting in the courtroom is not allowed in Pierce County.
On Feb. 25, The News Tribune met with Pierce County Superior Court administrator Chris Gaddis and jury administration supervisor Kelsey Fowler to learn more about how the jury process works and what other things you should be aware of if called to jury duty.
Between 150,000 and 200,000 jurors are summoned to the Superior Court, District Court and Tacoma Municipal Court every year, Gaddis said.
A reminder: It’s against the law for an employer to fire, demote or harass an employee serving as a juror. The law does not require the employee be paid in full while serving, however.
Are you paid for jury duty?
Yes, you will be paid $10/day for jury duty (a rate that hasn’t changed since 1959). You are only paid for the days you are required to report in and should go to work if you are not called, according to the county.
Some Pierce County jurors were paid $100/day from October 2024-May 2025 as part of a pilot program designed to test whether increased compensation would allow more people to serve on juries and make jury pools more diverse, but that pilot has ended. Gaddis said the results of the pilot may be available by mid-summer.
Can you knit or crochet while serving jury duty?
No, you are not allowed to knit or crochet in the courtroom, as knitting needles and crochet hooks are classified as weapons on the list of prohibited items. Gaddis said, “There is also the distraction for the juror that is concerning.”
Other prohibited items include heavy metal belt buckles, metal silverware, alcoholic beverages, disguises or masks (medical masks are allowed). Open beverages like coffee or soda are allowed, but you will be required to take a drink while at security before you are allowed to enter the Courthouse.
Is lunch provided?
No, lunch is not provided. You are welcome to bring lunch, and there is a refrigerator and microwave available for juror use. There is complimentary coffee and tea.
Do you get free parking?
Yes, free parking is limited to certain lots near the County-City Building. A parking permit should be attached to your summons, and you must display the permit on the dash of your vehicle.
Do you get paid mileage?
Yes, you will receive a check for mileage every two weeks, with a calculation based on your ZIP code. Those who receive compensated bus tickets are not reimbursed for mileage.
If you cross the Narrows Bridge, that toll will be reimbursed. If you use one of the Pierce County ferries, you can fill out a form to be reimbursed, upon providing your ferry receipt.
Do you have to be a WA resident to be called for jury duty?
Yes, you must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of the county in which you are to serve as a juror. You must also be at least 18 years old, speak English and have your civil rights restored if you were convicted of a felony, Gaddis said.
There are no English interpreters for jury trials, but there are American Sign Language interpreters available upon request, Fowler said.
What should you wear for jury duty?
According to Pierce County’s website, you should dress “comfortably, but not too casually,” like if you were going to work or to church. Some judges don’t allow anyone to wear halter tops, tank tops, cut-off jeans or shirts with offensive wording. Layered clothing is advised, since courtroom temperatures can vary considerably.
No one is allowed to wear a hat in a courtroom or chew gum, Gaddis said. Fowler said technically jurors can wear anything else, including pajamas or jeans.
What should you expect?
Jurors are brought into the courtroom to listen to testimony, observe evidence and listen to the interactions between witnesses, attorneys and the judge in a case. Ultimately they will use that evidence to come to a conclusion about a proceeding, Gaddis said.
You are expected to serve for one week or one trial, whichever is longer, he said.
Residents chosen for jury duty will receive a small blue postcard in the mail saying they’ve been summoned, Fowler said. Jurors will be asked to register online within seven days and will receive an official summons with a parking pass and information about where to go, she said.
Many jury trials start on Mondays, Fowler said. Once jurors get there they will be checked in at the jury room in the Pierce County Superior Court. You are allowed to bring your phone into the courtroom, but you cannot use it, Gaddis said.
Can I choose not to serve on a jury?
Those who don’t show up for jury duty without an approved excuse could be charged with a misdemeanor, Gaddis said.
Jurors can fill out a questionnaire detailing any hardship that would prohibit them from serving on a jury, including financial hardship from missing work or a health condition, Fowler said. If someone is the sole caregiver to a child or a dependent, court staff will discuss that with the person on a case-by-case basis, she said. There is no child care option within the courthouse.
If someone has a vacation planned or is unavailable the dates they are called for jury duty, jurors are allowed to postpone their summons date to another time within the year, Fowler said.
How are people chosen for jury duty?
Residents will not be required to serve on a jury more than once a year, Gaddis said. Jurors are chosen randomly to be summoned by the Pierce County court system, using state department of licensing and voter registration records, he said.
This story was originally published February 27, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
