Called to Serve

Notice of Jury Duty

When you receive a Jury Qualification Questionnaire (PDF) for jury duty, you should fill it out and return it immediately. If you would like to request a delay, also fill out the included Delay Statement form.

A Jury Questionnaire form can be accessed here. This can be electronically filled and printed to sign and mail to the Jury Commissioner. You may save the completed form for your own records. After printing and needed signatures applied, mail to:
Kootenai County Jury Commissioner
P.O. Box 9000
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816 -9000

Selection

The master list is a combination of eligible Kootenai County residents ages 18 and over. This list is created primarily through driver's license and voter registration records as well as other such lists as prescribed by Idaho Law.

Statutory Disqualification

A juror is not qualified to serve if the individual:

  • is less than 18 years of age
  • Is not a citizen of the United States
  • Is not a resident of Kootenai County
  • Is not able to communicate in the English language
  • Has been convicted of a felony and is currently on probation or parole

Excuse or Postponement

All citizens of Idaho are required to serve on Jury Duty when called except when the prospective juror:

  • Has exceeded 70 years of age and declines to serve
  • Is permanently excused for medical reasons by a physician

In order to receive a permanent medical excuse or temporary medical delay, you must submit a signed Doctor's Certificate (located on the bottom of the delay statement form). You may also receive a temporary medical delay of two years for being a family caregiver by submitting a signed note from a doctor explaining your situation.

If you anticipate legitimate scheduling problems such as unusual work situations or vacation plans you may delay your service for up to six months. If you are a nursing mother you may delay your service six months or longer, if necessary. If you are seeking a delay, you must fill out the Delay Statement form and return it with your completed questionnaire.

Summons

Summons are sent to prospective jurors approximately 1 to 3 months after the Jury Qualification Questionnaire has been returned and 3 weeks before their assigned date of service. Barring extreme circumstances, once you have received your summons and been assigned to a specific service date, you must appear for jury service on that date.

The day before your set service date you should call the Jury Commissioner's office, 208-446-1767, and listen to the recording to find out if and when you need to come in to serve. If your panel has been dismissed, you do not need to come in and your jury service is considered complete. If your panel is still active, listen for the date and time you need to be present at the Courthouse. This recording will be available every day at 4 p.m. until the next morning at 9 a.m.

Length of Service

The term of service is one week. However, most jurors serve only two to four days. Some cases may extend beyond the one-week term. In any case that goes into a second week the judge will give jurors the expected time frame for that trial. The selected juror will serve on that specific case until it has been completed.

Confidentiality

Juror information is considered confidential. It will not be released unless by order of the court in which the juror has served on a trial.