The United States Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by jury in criminal prosecutions. In civil lawsuits (disputes over money, property, and other non-criminal matters), state constitutions provide for the right to trial by jury—but this right may be limited to certain types of claims. And in order to be entitled to a trial by jury in a civil matter, a party generally must file a written request for a jury trial and pay a jury fee a reasonable time before trial.
In Washington State, the right to a trial by jury in criminal prosecutions is enshrined in both the United States Constitution and the Washington State Constitution. For civil lawsuits, the Washington State Constitution also provides the right to a trial by jury, but this right is typically limited to certain types of claims, such as those involving legal rather than equitable remedies. To exercise the right to a jury trial in a civil case, a party must usually file a written request for a jury trial and pay the required jury fee within a specific time frame before the trial begins. The exact timing and procedures for requesting a jury trial can vary depending on the local court rules, so parties should consult the rules for the specific jurisdiction in which their case is being heard.