Jury FAQs

When you receive a Jury Qualification Questionnaire for Jury Duty, you should immediately fill it out and return it in the enclosed envelope to the Jury Commissioner at:
Bingham County Courthouse - Jury Commissioner
501 N. Maple #205, Blackfoot, Idaho 83221

As a juror in Bingham County, you may be called to serve in either the District Court or the Magistrate Court.  Jurors serving in the District Court may be called to hear civil cases involving over $10,000 or felony cases.  Jurors serving in the Magistrate Court may hear civil cases under $10,000, or misdemeanor criminal cases.

You may come into the Bingham County Clerk’s Office, Room 107; or you may download the form by clicking on the following hyperlink: Jury Qualification Form
(Adobe Reader required)

Watch your  mail for a Summons which will advise you of the date, time and courtroom to appear in. The Summons will be mailed approximately two weeks before the trial date .

When a summons is received, you may call (208) 782-0569 after 5:00 p.m. a couple of days before your trial date, especially remember to call the evening before your trial date for current instructions regarding your jury duty. Your trial date may have been canceled or moved to another date.

If the Jury Qualification Form was sent to the wrong address, please write “return to sender” on the envelope so the form may be returned to the County Clerk's Office.

If you receive a Jury Qualification Form for a family member who no longer resides at your residence, AND you know where the family member currently resides, please include that information and return the form.
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The jury selection process is a random selection of names taken from the “Master Jury List”.  This “List” is created from a master list, pursuant to Idaho Code §2-206 by using information from two sources; the Bingham County list of Registered Voters and the State of Idaho Department of Transportation Drivers’ license Records.  From time to time, the Idaho Supreme Court may designate the use of other lists, such as:  utility customers, property tax payers, or motor vehicle registrations.

A jury panel service term in Bingham County is for four months.  We make every effort to notify you as to when trial dates have been set during that four-month period to enable you to make the necessary arrangements to ensure your attendance.  Occasionally, you may be required to serve with little advance notice during this four-month period.  Once you have served a full jury panel term, you will not have to serve again for two years.  Should your name come up before two years have elapsed, you may request not to serve and your request will be granted.

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, a resident of Bingham County, and you are able to read, speak and understand the English language.

However, if you have a felony record and are still on probation or parole you will be disqualified.
If you are age 70 or older you may request to be excused by making the appropriate notation on the jury qualification form.

There are a few special circumstances which may allow you to request a postponement from one jury panel to another, for example, if you have a temporary medical condition, if you are on active military duty, if you are a nursing mother, or if you are serving a religious obligation.  Requests for postponement are preferably submitted with your jury qualification form; be sure to include a day-time phone number where you can be reached.

Arrangements can be made to be excused from jury duty for short periods of time.  You must contact the jury commissioner and provide documentation to verify your request.
Qualifying events would include a medical appointment, a pre-planned vacation or a pressing employment situation that will cause you to be out of the area.  You may contact the jury commissioner by regular mail, fax or e-mail.  You must include your name, day time phone number, the reason, and the dates requested.
Mail:               Bingham County Courthouse - Jury Commissioner
                        501 N. Maple #205, Blackfoot, Idaho 83221
Phone:             (208) 782-3157
FAX:               (208) 785-4131
E-mail:             rwixom@co.bingham.id.us

If you have a chronic condition which makes it impossible for you to serve, you must submit a written request along with your physician’s written request.  Please state whetheryou are asking for a temporary or a permanent excuse from Jury Duty.  You may send your request to:
Mail:                Bingham County Courthouse - Jury Commissioner
                         501 N. Maple #205, Blackfoot, Idaho 83221
Phone:              (208) 782-3157
FAX:                (208) 785-4131
E-mail:             rwixom@co.bingham.id.us

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

Those selected for jury duty receive $10 for a half day of service and $20 for a full day, plus the federally approved mileage rate in effect at the time, for the round trip from the juror’s residence to the courthouse.  Jurors should expect to receive their compensation within 3 weeks from the completion of their service.

Some places of employment pay regular wages while an individual is serving on jury duty.  This is NOT a requirement, however, the decision to pay wages is entirely up to the business.  If an employer does pay wages during absence due to jury duty, they will normally require that you give them your jury check upon receipt.  Jurors should check with their employer to see what their policy is.  Juror employment verification for days served is available from the jury commissioner upon request.  Employers often expect that jurors return to work in the event of early release from jury service on any given day.  Make sure you check your employer’s policies, as verification cannot be provided except for time actually spent at the courthouse.

This information is included on the Juror Summonsform, mailed to you when your name is selected for service as a juror.  The Juror Summons also contains other important information, including when to call the jury duty information line.  You should call this number (208) 782-0569 after 5 pm the night before a scheduled jury trial.  Please listen to the entire recorded message as it will provide information and instructions concerning your specific jury panel.  Occasionally, the trial information is updated earlier.  It is advisable to call two days before the trial and listen to the instructions.

On your first trial date, there will be a brief orientation program which will be followed by jury selection.  On average, the jury selection process takes from one to three hours.  On occasion there may be circumstances that will preclude the need for a jury that day.  Should this occur, prospective jurors will be excused as quickly as possible.  Recognizing the inconvenience, the court makes every attempt to avoid having jurors appear when not needed.  Following the selection process, prospective jurors not selected to sit on the trial are excused and are free to leave or stay to observe; all trials are open to the public.

Sitting on a jury involves just that – sitting.  You should wear clothes that are neat, clean, and most importantly, comfortable.  While there is no formal dress code requiring suits, ties, dresses, etc., you are encouraged to acknowledge the seriousness of jury duty and to dress in a conservative, non-distracting manner.  The courthouse has heat as well as air conditioning and valiant efforts are made to keep the offices at about 70 degrees year round.  However, you might want to bring a sweater with you.

All courthouse facilities are non-smoking.  However, during break times the bailiffs will accompany any jurors – smokers or not – outside to enjoy a breath of fresh air, if requested.

Grand Juries are occasionally used in Bingham County.  Jurors summoned for Grand Jury Duty serve for a six month period.  Grand Juries usually convene only once per month, usually in the evening, and sessions usually last only a few hours.  If you are selected for a grand jury, the entire process will be explained at that time.