District of Idaho

Due to heightened security at all federal courthouses, photo ID is required when entering the building.  In Boise you are also required to show your photo ID to the guard in the guard shack before entering the parking lot. 

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.

What to Bring to Jury Selection?

Please bring the following items with you on the day of jury selection:

• Your jury summons that you received by mail
• A valid photo ID, which is required to enter the federal courthouse and for jury check-in
• A light jacket or sweater, as courtrooms can be cool
• Hotel receipt, if you stayed in a hotel and are requesting reimbursement

You may also wish to bring a book or magazine in case there is downtime during the day. Newspapers are not permitted in the jury assembly room, courtroom or jury room.

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.

Family Members not Allowed

You may not bring family members, friends, or children with you when reporting for jury selection.

If you arrive with children, you will not be permitted to participate in jury selection and will not receive payment for your appearance.

Jurors are required to dress in a manner that demonstrates respect for the court, such as business casual attire. Please avoid wearing shorts, tank tops, or clothing with offensive language or images.

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.

Hotel: You are required to bring your hotel receipt with you to jury selection.

When booking a hotel, inform the hotel staff that you are a federal juror and request the federal GSA rate. It is recommended that you book your accommodations as soon as possible due to the limited availability of rooms. Ask the hotel about their cancellation policy in case the trial is canceled.

*Please note that if lodging costs exceed the government rate for the court location, reimbursement will be limited to the government rate, and the juror will be responsible for any additional expenses unless a higher rate has been pre-authorized by the Court due to special or unusual circumstances.

While you are free to choose any hotel, we encourage you to compare room rates carefully.

If staying with family or friends:  You may receive per diem reimbursement for meals and incidentals. Be prepared to provide their name and address when you appear for 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, 2026, jurors are paid $0.725 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.