Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Judiciary Committee

HB 1955

Title:  An act relating to increasing civil jury trial fees.

Brief Description:  Increasing civil jury fees.

Sponsors:  Representatives Lantz, Esser, Dickerson, Mastin, Lovick, Boldt, Kenney, Anderson, Conway, O'Brien, Darneille and Rockefeller.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Increases demand jury fees in district courts for civil trials to $125.

$Increases jury fees owed by a convicted person in criminal trial in courts of limited jurisdiction to $125.

Hearing Date:  2/22/01

Staff:  Christopher Waraksa (786‑5793); Edie Adams (786-7180).

Background: 

A person requesting a jury in a civil trial in district court currently must pay $50.  The county treasurer, or city treasurer in the case of violations of city ordinances, remits 32 percent of the jury demand fees to the State Treasurer, who then deposits these fees in the Public Safety and Education Account.

A person convicted in a criminal trial in a court of limited jurisdiction must pay a fee of $25.  This $25 dollar fee is not subject to division.

Summary of Bill: 

The demand jury fee in a civil trial in district court is increased to $125.  This fee is initially paid by the requesting party.  The jury fee owed by a person convicted of a crime in a court of limited jurisdiction is increased to $125.  Criminal jury fees in limited jurisdiction courts are not subject to division with the state under RCW 3.62.020 and 3.62.040.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.