Reporting for Jury Duty

Yes, jury service is your civic obligation, and it should be an interesting experience. While you may be somewhat anxious about reporting, the Jury Commissioner and the Courts want to reassure you that everything possible will be done to make your service an interesting and educational experience. Jury Trials are held in the District Court and Magistrate Court.

• Uniforms are not acceptable. Jurors should not wear t-shirts, sweats, tank tops, halter tops or shorts. Please dress respectable to the courts. Hats are not allowed in court. Do not bring children.
• You will be required to pass through security. Knives, sharp pointed objects, etc., are NOT ALLOWED. Please limit excessive metal on your person.
• You will be instructed on which court room to go to upon going through the security system. The Jury Commissioner will be at the door of the court room to check you in. There will be a sign in sheet that you will need to sign and then enter the court room.
• You will be required to watch a video provided by the Supreme Court.
• You will then be given a short break to take care of any personal needs, parking issues etc.
• Personal Belongings: Keep all your personal belongings with you. Do not leave any items in the area that you are seated, as you may not be returning to this location.

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Jury Pay:

The State of Idaho pays Jurors $10 for a full day and $5 for half day. You will also be paid for your mileage from home. If you have concerns or hardships concerning the jury pay you will need to discuss them with the Judge during selection.

Courtroom Procedures:

No beverages, food, drinks (water is okay with most Judges) are allowed in the Court Rooms. If you have a medical condition that requires a snack, break, etc. please advise the Jury Commissioner or Bailiff. They will arrange for you to take a break or provide what you need. If you have hearing difficulties please let us know as we have hearing assistance devices that we can get for you.

If you have a cell phone or a pager, they need to be turned OFF the entire time you are in the Court Room. You are not allowed to use texting, Facebook, Twitter, etc. during your entire jury process. Your phones need to be turned off completely. If your cell phone goes off, it may be confiscated if so ordered by the Judge. Note: You may keep the cell phone on before the process begins while you are in the courtroom waiting. We will instruct you on when to turn you phones off.

Do not talk to anyone in the hallways (even court personnel) of the Court House. Many witnesses and litigants are sitting in the hallways; any conversation could cause a mistrial. Please just tell people that you are there as a juror and you are not allowed to talk to them.

No law books, dictionaries or newspapers are permitted. You may bring reading material but please make sure it is nothing that is educational on the law or controversial i.e. Time Magazine, Readers Digest, etc. Such reading material is not allowed.

Once the Jury Selection begins you are not allowed to leave the Court Room. It is very important to both parties that you hear all the questions asked. If you have an emergency and need to leave the room, you will need to let the Jury Commissioner or Bailiff know and we will have to ask the Judge for a break.

Your service as a Juror is very important. Your service is appreciated by the court and the litigants.

Please contact my office if you have any further questions.

Joseph D. Lugo

Bonneville County Jury Commissioner

Phone: 208-529-1350 Ext: 1902

E-mail: jlugo@co.bonneville.id.us

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