Jury Instructions

Updated as of Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Due to an Order from the Idaho Supreme Court effective November 9, 2020 all jury trials scheduled in November and December 2020 have been vacated. Jurors who are currently scheduled for November and December 2020 are released from jury service. Further juror information for the term of January 2021 will be forthcoming.

Please see the attached Idaho Supreme Court Order regarding Jury Trials.

Courthouse Restrictions: Court operations in the Elmore County Courthouse have been limited consistent with the Idaho Supreme Court’s Order. The Elmore County Courthouse is also following guidance from local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding gatherings and recommendations on preventing the Spread of COVID-19.

The Order prohibits entry into courtrooms or court services offices if you: 

• have been asked to self-isolate by any doctor, hospital, or health agency;
• have been required to self-isolate because of travel outside of the State of Idaho;
• have been diagnosed with, but have not yet recovered from COVID-19;
• are experiencing any signs or symptoms of illness including fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, or new loss of taste or smell, or
• are wearing a mask covering nose and mouth.

Further, we also recognize that the Center for Disease Control has advised that older adults and persons with underlying health conditions, including with weakened immune systems, heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes may want to consult with their healthcare provider about attending any large gathering.

IMPORTANT: If you have any travel plans, important work obligations, appointments of any kind, or anything that could possibly conflict with your jury service, notify the Jury Commissioner IN WRITING as soon as possible, by using this link. Once your juror number is drawn for a jury trial, it is too late for you to be excused, unless it is an emergency. DO NOT DELAY NOTIFYING THE COURT OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

Note: If your number is drawn for an upcoming jury trial, then the Jury Clerk cannot grant your excusal/postponement request. You would be required to report for that trial, and your excusal would be determined by the Presiding Judge and the attorneys on that trial. DO NOT DELAY IN INFORMING THE JURY CLERK OF POSSIBLE CONFLICTS. 

If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact the Jury Clerk directly either by phone at (208) 587-2133 Ext. 511 or email by using the Contact Jury Clerk form.

Perspective Jurors:  

The virus that causes novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is primarily spread from person to person. Courtrooms are considered medium exposure risk environments. To help protect the health of Idahoans, an initial screening to determine juror eligibility to serve should be conducted. Answering the medical questions is solely for the purpose of determining whether you as a juror can serve and the answers to the questions will be kept confidential. By clicking this link you will be able to access the COVID-19 Questionairre.

You can submit the completed questionnaire to the Jury Commissioner at 150 S 4th E Suite 5, Mountain Home, ID 83647. 

If you are selected as a potential juror for a jury trial you will be asked to complete a COVID-19 Daily Questionairre and by clicking this link you can access that questionnaire and submit it to the Jury Commissioner by email at hkeddie@elmorecounty.org or by faxing it to (208)-587-2134.

SCHEDULED NOVEMBER 2020 JURY TRIALS

For your convenience, we have created this calendar; the dates that are in BOLD indicate the scheduled jury trials for NOVEMBER 2020. It is important to stay up to date on your jury instructions, as these trials could be cancelled or rescheduled at any time. You must be able to appear for these dates; Failure to do so will result in up to a $300 fine, 3 days in the county jail, or both.