District of Idaho

Due to heightened security at all federal courthouses, photo ID is required when entering the building.

You will have to pass through a metal detector each time you enter the courthouse.  The following items are not allowed in the courthouse:  weapons, ammunition, loose batteries, mace, cameras, recorders, knives, and knitting/crochet needles.  You are encouraged to leave other non-essential items at home or in your vehicle.

Firearms and dangerous weapons are prohibited on federal property. See 18 U.S.C. § 930(c).

Federal court jurisdiction is limited to certain kinds of cases listed in the Constitution. For the most part, federal courts hear cases in which the United States is a party, cases involving violations of the Constitution or federal law, crimes on federal land, and bankruptcy cases. 

The federal civil litigation system in particular is filled with a variety of business-related disputes. These may include actions concerning contracts, copyrights, trademark infringement, antitrust and unfair competition, employment discrimination, and environmental issues.

The U.S. District Court conducts trials in both civil and criminal cases.  A juror will not know what type of case they might be assigned to until the day of jury selection.

You will need to bring the following items with you to jury selection:

• Jury summons that you received in the mail
• Identification
• A light jacket or sweater due to cooler temperatures in the courtroom
• Hotel Receipt if you stayed in a hotel
• We encourage you to bring a book or magazine in case of down time.  No newspapers will be allowed.

Electronic devices, such as cellular phones, wireless devices, and laptops are permitted in our courthouse; however, they are not allowed in the courtrooms while in session.

You are not allowed to bring family or friends when you appear for jury selection.

If you do, you will not be allowed to participate in jury selection and will not be paid for your appearance, this includes children.

While no formal dress code exists, jurors should appear in a manner that is respectful of the Court.  We recommend that you not wear t-shirts, tank-tops, halter tops, shorts or hats while on jury duty. 

Since the courtrooms tend to be cool, you may want to bring a sweater or light jacket.

Free parking is available on site at all courthouse locations. Please do not park in unauthorized areas or in reserved spaces which have assigned numbers.

Jurors report to Court on days when a trial is scheduled.  Some will be selected for service and those who are not will be released, which completes their jury service for the remainder of the month unless otherwise ordered by the judge.

For those chosen to serve, the presiding judge will set the trial schedule.  Generally, trials may run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Morning Report Time:  If your scheduled report time for Jury Selection is in the morning and you live 70 miles or more one-way from Boise or Pocatello, you are authorized to travel in the day before.  You may stay in a hotel or stay with family and/or friends. If staying in a hotel, you are to check out of your hotel the morning of jury selection and bring the hotel receipt with you.

If Traveling In:  We encourage you to bring enough clothing for the week in case you are selected to serve as a juror on a trial.

Afternoon Report Time:  If your scheduled report time is in the afternoon, you are not authorized to travel in the day before.  If you are selected as a juror, you will be authorized to stay in a hotel or with family and/or friends during the duration of the trial. We encourage you to bring enough clothing for the week in case you are selected to serve as a juror on a trial.

Morning Report Time:  If your scheduled report time for Jury Selection is in the morning and you live 60 miles or more one-way from Coeur d'Alene, you are authorized to travel in the day before.  You may stay in a hotel or stay with family and/or friends. If staying in a hotel, you are to check out of your hotel the morning of jury selection and bring the hotel receipt with you.

If Traveling In:  We encourage you to bring enough clothing for the week in case you are selected to serve as a juror on a trial.

Afternoon Report Time:  If your scheduled report time is in the afternoon, you are not authorized to travel in the day before.  If you are selected as a juror, you will be authorized to stay in a hotel or with family and/or friends during the duration of the trial. We encourage you to bring enough clothing for the week in case you are selected to serve as a juror on a trial.

For your convenience a list of hotels and respective room rates are located on the back of your summons for those individuals who qualify for overnight accommodations.  The rooms listed on the summons are just a few of those in the area.  You may stay at any hotel of your choice or you may stay with friends or family in the area.

We encourage you to make your hotel reservations as soon as possible due to limited rooms that are available at the GSA rate.  When making your reservations and checking in, please identify yourself as a federal juror and request the GSA rate.  Please be prepared to show them your jury summons if needed.

You must bring your hotel receipt with you to jury selection.

As of May 7, 2018, each Juror is paid $50 per day for attendance. Jurors can receive up to $60 a day after serving 10 days on a trial.  As of January 1, 2024, jurors are paid $0.67 cents per mile (round trip), regardless of the mode of transportation.

Subsistence is paid to those who require overnight stay.  To qualify you must live 70 miles or more one way from Boise or Pocatello; 60 miles or more one way from Coeur d'Alene. In order to be reimbursed, you must provide a hotel receipt.

Subsistence amount varies depending upon the division you will be reporting to.

For more information, visit the U.S. Courts Website on Jury Pay.