Jury Duty in Gem County
Rachel Puentes, Jury Commissioner
Phone: 208-365-5621
Fax: 208-365-6172
Email - jurycomm@co.gem.id.us
Website - https://jury.idaho.gov
Automated Phone: (844)509-1211
Office Hours: Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Pamphlet: Jury Service in Idaho (PDF)
Video on Jury Service in Idaho - Download HERE
Fill out your Juror Summons or check your status on-line at the website here. You can also check your status on the automated telephone line at (844)509-1211.
Sample Summons
Where to find your Candidate ID number, also referred to as your Juror Number.
Your Candidate ID number, or Juror Number is located directly under the barcode.
For information on requests for removal from or postponement of your Jury Service click HERE.
I'm qualified, now what do I do?
You have been qualified for Jury Service. As you may have noticed, we have a new Jury System and are still working our way through a few kinks. Because of this learning curve we would like to make sure that everyone knows what to expect out of their jury service.
1. We do not have very many trials in Gem County and it is unlikely that you will need to come in, but it is possible so please let us know if you have any scheduled trips, or appointments that cannot be moved, and we will make sure you are not pulled during that time. (Time Off Request Form) Once you are assigned to a trial we cannot remove you.
2. We will try to give you as much notice as possible when you are pulled to come in for Jury selection. We will send that notice out via e-mail or by the postal service so please keep up to date on those things throughout your term of service.
3. You do not need to call in daily or weekly but if you would like to check your status, you can do so at anytime by using the website or the automated phone system.
4. If you have logged in to the website https://jury.idaho.gov you can opt to receive alerts via text message. We highly recommend that you do so as we will be able to alert you almost immediately if you are selected for a trial or if a trial you have been scheduled to appear on is canceled. If you have not logged into that website you can still do so, you will just need to fill out the questions again the first time you log in.
At any time that you have questions please feel free to reach out to us. If you have submitted an excusal / disqualification / deferral request please check your e-mail for required verification before it can be approved. You are qualified until we can approve your request.
Do you want to receive notification by text message?
Click HERE to see instructions on how to verify that you are signed up for that service.
LOCATION AND DURATION OF TRIALS:
All jury trials will be held in the Gem County Courthouse, 415 East Main Street, room 306, in Emmett, Idaho. If you have been asked to appear on a given date, be prepared to stay the full day for jury selection. Any citizen selected for the trial will serve for the duration of the trial. In Gem County this time is normally only 1-4 days. Rarely does it go over that.
JUROR’S PAY (IDAHO CODE 2-215):
Jurors shall receive $10.00 for each one-half day. All jurors shall receive mileage fees for their travel expenses from their residence to the courthouse and back at the rate of $0.655 per mile as established by the Gem County Commissioners.
JURY ATTIRE:
Your attire should be appropriate for a courtroom. You do not need to wear a suit or a dress, but you must dress respectfully. Jeans are fine as long as they are clean and do not have any holes. There are no hats allowed in the courtroom. Also, please keep your perfume and cologne to a minimum, as many people are allergic to them.
PROHIBITED:
-Food, gum, and drinks (except for bottled water) are not allowed in the courtroom. Cell phones must be turned off before entering the courtroom.
-Smoking/Vaping is prohibited in the building. This includes the jury room. If you would like to step outside for a break, please speak to the bailiff and he will assist you.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE:
We realize that being on jury duty is inconvenient to almost everyone, but every person has a right to a fair trial. People think that they could not serve on a criminal trial for one reason or another but there are civil jury trials as well. These include anything from personal injury to property rights which we could find ourselves involved in and each one of us would have the right to a fair trial. Without Gem County citizens serving on jury duty we wouldn’t get that fair trial. In order to make that trial fair we need people from all walks of life: retired people, employed and unemployed people, students, and people of all cultures and backgrounds.
Thank you so much for your time and your personal involvement in our court system.