Jury Services

TERMS OF SERVICE:

Your term of jury service is listed on the summons you received in the mail. Any citizen impaneled on a jury that continues past the 5 days are required to stay with that jury for the duration of the trial.

HOW WAS I SELECTED?

Jurors are selected in accordance with Idaho Code 2-206. Names are drawn from the voter registration and drivers license files.

The Idaho Code is the property of the state of Idaho, and is copyrighted by Idaho law, I.C. § 9-350. According to Idaho law, any person who reproduces or distributes the Idaho Code for commercial purposes in violation of the provisions of this statute shall be deemed to be an infringer of the state of Idaho’s copyright.

Reference: Idaho Legislature

The information for postponing is on the back of the questionnaire of your summons. A request for postponement must be submitted in writing. Please indicate the reason for postponement and indicate a date within the next two (2) months when you will be available. If you cannot mail the summons to us, the request may be emailed to jury@bannockcounty.us – It must be signed and dated. ONLY ONE POSTPONEMENT WILL BE GRANTED. (if you have extenuating circumstances and need to postpone again please notify the office immediately and we will discuss options).  A new summons, questionnaire, and reporting number will be sent to you containing the new service dates.

You may submit your request in writing and send it by mail, fax, or email:

If you determine a medical excuse is necessary, you need to submit documentation from a medical physician.
Your physician may mail, fax, or email the document. Once the document has been accepted, confirmation will be mailed to you.

If you are not a resident of Bannock County you must show proof of non-residency. Therefore, disqualification cannot begranted until you show proof to the Court that you are not a resident of Bannock County. Please send a copy of your driver’s license, or voter’s registration with your name and address, or a United States Postal addressed piece of mail to one of the addresses below. If our office does not receive proof you will be recalled for the next available date for Jury Service.

If you are not a United States citizen, you may mail, email or fax a copy of your green card, I-94 or residence card to the Bannock County Jury Commissioner.

If you are impaneled on a jury and a family emergency occurs, your family members may contact the Jury Commissioner’s Office at (208) 236-7334 BEFORE 5:00 PM

If an emergency occurs AFTER 5:00 PM and you are in jury deliberation, family members contact the Bannock County Marshal’s Office at (208) 236-7320.

If you Fail To Appear for Jury Duty as ordered by the Court you will be instructed to explain to the Court, IN WRITING, why you failed to comply with the court’s order. Your explanation must be delivered within five (5) working days to the Bannock County Jury Commissioners Office of the Failure to Appear.

IDAHO CODE 2-217

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THAT IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND AS REQUESTED, OR IF YOU FAIL TO REPORT FOR FUTURE JURY DUTY, THEN PURSUANT TO IDAHO CODE, SECTION 2-217, THE COURT MAY ISSUE AN ORDER REQUIRING YOU TO APPEAR IN COURT AND SHOW CAUSE WHY YOU SHOULD NOT BE HELD IN CONTEMPT. IF THE COURT FINDS YOU IN CONTEMPT, YOU COULD BE JAILED FOR UP TO FIVE (5) DAYS OR BE REQUIRED TO PAY A FINE OF UP TO $500.00, OR BOTH.

I can’t come in everyday for an entire month, how may I be excused?

You don’t come in every day.  You are required to call a pre-recorded message machine and listen to the instructions of when to call back or when to appear. Bannock County does not hold trials daily.  For example – you may find you only call the message machine 5 times within the month and if you are required to appear for a trial, the message machine will give you clear instructions on what to do next.

How may I be exempt from Jury Duty?

Idaho Code §2-211 provides “No exemptions.  No exemptions for any qualified prospective juror may be granted.”  You are a qualified juror if you are 18 years of age or older, a citizen of the United States, and are a resident of Bannock County.

My boss can’t do without me (or I am self-employed), how may I be excused?

Almost everyone called for jury duty is employed, and it would not be appropriate to have ONLY unemployed or retired citizens as jurors; this could compromise the seating of a jury of one’s peers.  The court will try to work with all prospective jurors to reduce potential inconvenience or accommodate special circumstances.  Keep in mind that you will usually have advance notification of the dates on which jury trials have been set and that the majority of trials only last a day or two. 

I am a full-time student; how may I be excused?

Anyone attending High School or College in Bannock County, or another county and still residing in Bannock County will not be dismissed from Jury Duty. We cannot excuse you from Jury Duty at this time. Your teachers are required to give you your assignments as needed as well as any excused absences for serving on Jury Duty should you have to report to the Court for said Jury Duty. Please advise your professors that you have jury duty. We have found that they are understanding in working with you to complete your civic duty as well as make up work for classes. You can postpone your term of service to a time that may work better but you will not be released.

May I bring a personal electronic device with me to Jury Service?

Yes, you may bring it with you, but it can only be used in the Jury Assembly Room.

I received mail at my address for a person who doesn’t live in Bannock County.  How is this handled?

Simply write “Not at This Address” on the front of the mailer; the U. S. Post Office will return the document to the Bannock County Jury Commissioner. The Court will research the document for the correct address.

I am 70 years of age or older and wish to be excused.

At age 70 or older you may be excused. You may email or complete the questionnaire and return it to Bannock County Jury Commissioner. Please indicate you wish to be excused.

How do I request a postponement of service?

Please complete your qualification questionnaire and postponement section stating your reason; you must provide a new date for the postponement. If you have already completed your questionnaire you may mail, email or fax your request.  Please see the Postponement Tab

I have moved from Bannock County and I received a summons.

Please mail, email or fax a copy of your driver’s license or voter registration the new county where you currently reside. Please see the Non-Resident Tab for more information.

I am not a citizen of the United States and I received a Jury Summons.

If you are not a United States citizen, you may mail, email or fax a copy of your green card, I-94 or residence card to Bannock County Jury Commissioner. Please see the Non-Citizen tab for more information.

How did I get selected for Jury Service in Bannock County?  How often am I required to serve?

Your name was randomly drawn from a driver’s license or voter registration records. You may be summoned every year; but you are not required to serve, if it has been within the past 24 months.

Can a juror be excused for medical reasons?

You may submit documentation from a medical physician. Your physician may mail, fax, or email the document. Once the document has been accepted, return confirmation will be mailed to you. Please see the Medical tab for more information.

May I correct my address and/or name on the questionnaire?

You may update this information on the jury qualification questionnaire. If you have already submitted this information you may mail, email or fax any changes to us.

How do I provide documentation to my employer or educational institution that I appeared for Jury Service?

When you check in for jury service, request employment verification. At any time, you may request verification documentation; it will be sent directly to the juror only.

Active Duty Military or the spouse of Active Duty Military person has received a jury summons. How can they be excused?

Please mail, email or a fax a copy of your current orders or letter from your commanding officer for consideration. You may black out any personal areas from your Orders.

I have been convicted of a felony, but have completed my probation or parole.  Am I eligible to serve as a juror?

If you have completed your probation or parole you may serve as a juror. If you have not, simply submit the name of your probation or parole officer for dismissal.

What kind of dress attire should I wear when I report for Jury Service?

Jurors should appear dressed in a manner that is respectful of the Court. Uniforms, shorts, and improper clothing are not acceptable.

Am I allowed to bring a book or newspaper with me to read?

No law books, dictionaries, or newspapers are permitted. You may bring a book to read while in the Jury Assembly area; you may not read your book in the Courtroom.

May I bring my children with me to jury service?

No, please do not bring any family members or children with you. The cases that you will hear are very serious cases and your attention will be mandatory.

My son/daughter is on a Mission, what do I do?

Anyone that is on a Mission must show proof to the court before they can be released from Jury Duty. Please have your church (Pastor or Bishop) send a letter (on letterhead) of confirmation to any one of the addresses provided.

If your question has not been answered and you need personal assistance, please contact Victoria Hall, Bannock County Jury Commissioner at (208) 236-7334.

Website for checking in: https://jury.idaho.gov