Idaho Jury Duty Laws: Pay, Excuses and Employer Rules

Idaho sets the rules for state-court jury service in chapter 2 of title 2 of the Idaho Code, starting with the qualification rules in Idaho Code § 2-209, plus the Idaho Court Administrative Rules. Juror pay is set county by county above a statutory floor of $5 per half day plus mileage, and rises to $50 a day once a single trial runs past five days (Idaho Code § 2-215).

An employer may not fire, threaten or coerce you because of jury service (Idaho Code § 2-218). There is no automatic age-out, but a person 70 or older is permanently excused if they ask on the qualification questionnaire (Idaho Code § 2-212(2)).

Information last verified on October 7, 2026. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This page covers jury service in Idaho state courts. A summons from the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho follows federal law, summarized on our jury duty laws by state hub.

Do you have to go? The short answer

Yes, unless you are not qualified, you are 70 or older and opt out, or the court postpones or excuses you. Idaho's court rules say "There shall be no automatic exemptions or excuses from jury service" (I.C.A.R. 63(a)), and they prefer postponing service to excusing it.

The Idaho Supreme Court says "jury service is administered by each court and the process may vary," and tells jurors to follow the instructions on the summons and ask the court's jury commissioner any questions (Idaho Supreme Court, Jury Information). To see which category might fit your situation before you contact the court, try our jury duty exemption checker.

Who can serve on a jury in Idaho

Under Idaho Code § 2-209, a person is not qualified unless the person is a citizen of the United States, 18 or older, and a resident of the county. A person who is "unable to read, speak, and understand the English language" is also not qualified. The clerk or jury commissioner decides citizenship, age, residence and felony status, and a judge decides the English and disability grounds, from your questionnaire, an interview or other evidence.

Jurors are drawn from a county list built from the voter registration list, supplemented with other lists the Idaho Supreme Court designates, such as driver's licenses and state identification cards (Idaho Code § 2-206). "A citizen shall not be excluded from jury service in this state on account of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status" (Idaho Code § 2-203).

Disability

A person whose disability "renders the prospective juror incapable of performing satisfactory jury service" is disqualified, and the statute says a person claiming this "shall be required to submit a physician's certificate" (Idaho Code 2-209(1)(b)). The court rule on the same ground is softer: it asks whether the person can serve with reasonable accommodation and says a certificate may be required (I.C.A.R. 62.1). Follow what your court asks for.

A disqualification normally lasts two years. A judge may extend it, even permanently, for a disability, after a finding about its nature and duration (Idaho Code 2-209(3); I.C.A.R. 62.1).

Felony convictions

A person who lost the right to serve because of a felony conviction under article VI, section 3 of the Idaho Constitution, "and who has not been restored to the rights of citizenship pursuant to section 18-310, Idaho Code, or other applicable law," is disqualified (Idaho Code 2-209(2)(b)). The Idaho Supreme Court's jury page says people convicted of a felony may serve once their civil rights have been restored.

Under Idaho Code § 18-310(2), a person convicted of an Idaho felony is restored the full rights of citizenship upon final discharge, which the statute defines as satisfactory completion of imprisonment, probation and parole (firearm rights are handled separately). The court's questionnaire accordingly asks whether you are still on probation or parole or otherwise not restored. If your conviction was in another state or in federal court, ask the jury commissioner how the rule applies to you.

Exemptions, excuses and postponements in Idaho

The "no exemptions" rule and the National Guard

Idaho's jury chapter says: "No exemptions for any qualified prospective juror may be granted, except as provided in section 2-212(4), Idaho Code" (Idaho Code § 2-211), and the court rules add that there are no automatic exemptions or excuses (I.C.A.R. 63(a)).

A separate statute in the military title says: "Any member of the national guard shall be exempt from sitting or serving as juror in any of the courts of this state, provided he shall furnish the certificate of his immediate commanding officer that he has performed the duties required by his enlistment or commission" (Idaho Code § 46-406). We did not find how Idaho courts reconcile the two. If you are a Guard member, raise section 46-406 with the jury commissioner, bring the certificate, and let the court confirm how it applies it.

Federal law separately says an active-duty member of the armed forces may not be required to serve on a state or local jury if the member's branch Secretary determines that service would unreasonably interfere with military duties or adversely affect unit readiness, and that determination is conclusive (10 U.S.C. § 982). Ask your command about it if that applies to you.

Age: the 70-and-over opt-out

"A person who is seventy (70) years of age or older shall be permanently excused if the person indicates on the qualification questionnaire form that he or she wishes to be excused" (Idaho Code § 2-212(2)). It is not automatic: you have to make the choice on the questionnaire. A person who opts out can be reinstated to the county jury list by submitting a written request.

We searched Idaho Code sections 2-201 through 2-222 and court rules 60 through 68 and found no other age rule and no upper age limit.

Postponing your service

A person who is not disqualified "may have jury service postponed by the court or the jury commissioner only upon a showing of undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, or public necessity, or upon a showing that the juror is a mother breastfeeding her child" (Idaho Code 2-212(3)). Your request must be in writing, state the reason, and give the date the reason will end. A request based on a medical condition may require a statement from a medical provider.

The court rules say "Postponements of jury service are preferred over excuses," that a postponement should be for the shortest reasonable period and to a date certain, and that the jury commissioner must tell the court in writing about multiple postponement requests (I.C.A.R. 63(b)-(d)). The Idaho Supreme Court's standard qualification questionnaire tells jurors that only one request for postponement may be granted, and that granting it is up to the jury commissioner or judge.

The Idaho Supreme Court's jury page says courts may postpone or excuse your service if childcare affects your ability to serve. The statute has no separate caregiver category, so this request goes through the hardship route.

Poll-worker service in lieu of jury duty (since July 1, 2026)

A 2026 law, House Bill 560, added a volunteer election-service route that took effect July 1, 2026 (2026 Idaho Session Laws ch. 59). If a county clerk reports a shortage of election workers, the court may offer jurors who already have grounds to be excused or postponed the chance to volunteer as poll workers in the next county-run election.

It is available only at the court's discretion and only for the number of positions the clerk requests. If you complete that service in a manner acceptable to the county clerk, "the prospective juror shall be excused from jury service for the next two (2) years" (Idaho Code 2-212(4)). The same law exempts these volunteers from the minimum-wage pay floor that applies to other election workers (Idaho Code § 34-303(2)), so the county does not have to pay you at least minimum wage for this service. If you do not complete it, you go back on the jury list.

How much does jury duty pay in Idaho?

Idaho sets minimum juror fees by statute and lets each county's commissioners set higher rates up to a cap, so the amount depends on the county where you live. Fees are paid from the county treasury (Idaho Code § 2-215).

The Idaho Supreme Court summarizes this as at least $5 per half day or $10 per full day, plus mileage at your county's employee rate (Idaho Supreme Court, Jury Information). We did not check individual county rates, so ask your county's jury office what it pays.

For long trials, the state reimburses counties $40 per juror and alternate juror for each day of service beyond the fifth day, only to the extent the legislature appropriates funds (Idaho Code § 2-222). That reimbursement goes to the county, not to you.

Idaho employer rules for jury duty

Your job is protected

"An employer shall not deprive an employee of his employment, or threaten or otherwise coerce him with respect thereto, because the employee receives a summons, responds thereto, serves as a juror, or attends court for prospective jury service" (Idaho Code § 2-218(1)).

The section has no employer-size threshold and states no requirement that you give your employer advance notice. Showing your employer the summons early is still sensible.

Does your employer have to pay you?

Idaho's jury statute does not require private employers to keep paying wages while you serve, and section 2-218 says nothing about vacation leave, sick leave or shift scheduling. We did not search Idaho statutes outside the jury chapter for other wage or leave rules. State, school and local government employees should check their own leave rules or union contract.

If your employer violates the law

An employer who violates section 2-218(1) is guilty of criminal contempt and may be fined up to $300 (Idaho Code 2-218(2)).

If you are fired in violation of the law, "the employee within sixty (60) days may bring a civil action for recovery of treble the amount of wages lost as a result of the violation and for an order requiring the reinstatement of the employee," and if you win, the court awards a reasonable attorney's fee (Idaho Code 2-218(3)). The statute does not say what date starts the 60 days, so act quickly. That civil action covers a discharge; threats or coercion short of firing fall under the contempt provision. For how this fits with other limits on firing, see our page on Idaho at-will employment laws.

What happens if you miss jury duty in Idaho

Idaho handles a missed questionnaire or summons in steps (Idaho Code § 2-208). You are expected to return the qualification questionnaire within 10 days of its mailing. If you do not, the jury commission directs you to appear. If you do not appear as directed, the court orders you to appear and show cause. If you ignore that order, you "may be subject to contempt proceedings," and your service may be moved to a new panel.

Contempt for "neglecting to attend or serve as a juror when summoned," or for failing to appear when summoned by the jury commission, carries a fine of up to $500, up to 5 days in jail, or both (Idaho Code § 7-610).

Separately, willfully misrepresenting a material fact on the questionnaire to avoid or secure jury service is a misdemeanor (Idaho Code 2-208(6)). If you missed your date, contact the jury commissioner on your summons right away.

How long jury duty lasts in Idaho

In any two-year period (or a longer period of up to five years, if the district's administrative judge sets one), Idaho Code § 2-216 says you cannot be required:

• to serve or attend court for prospective service as a trial juror for more than 10 court days, unless needed to finish a particular case;
• to be available for jury service for more than six months (the administrative district judge may order a shorter term);
• to serve on more than one grand jury; or
• to serve as both a grand juror and a trial juror.

These are limits on what the court can require, not an exemption. Appearing for jury service counts toward the limit whether or not the roll is called. If you served or answered a roll call for Idaho state-court jury service in the past 24 months, the standard questionnaire has a box to ask to be excused on that basis. Telephone standby can count as an appearance where the district's administrative judge allows it. The Idaho Supreme Court says the length of service varies by court and by case.

How to respond to an Idaho jury summons

Each Idaho court runs its own jury process. We did not find a single statewide juror portal; your summons carries the instructions for your court (Idaho Supreme Court, Jury Information).

1. Complete and return the qualification questionnaire within 10 days of its mailing, by the method your summons gives.
2. If you are 70 or older and want to be excused, say so on the questionnaire.
3. To postpone, send a written request with the reason and the date it will end, plus a medical provider's statement if the court asks for one.
4. If you need a disability accommodation, the Idaho Supreme Court directs you to the court's ADA coordinator.
5. Treat your report date as firm until the court or jury commissioner confirms a postponement or excuse.

Watch for jury duty scam calls

The Idaho Supreme Court warns: "If someone contacts you claiming you missed jury duty and must pay a fine, it may be a scam. Courts will never ask for payment or personal information over the phone or by email for missed jury service."

Hang up and contact the court using a number you have verified yourself. Our guide to government impersonation scams explains how these schemes work, and our page on Idaho scam and fraud laws covers where to report.

Disclaimer: This page is general legal information about Idaho state-court jury service, not legal advice. The court that summoned you decides every excuse and postponement request. Information verified October 7, 2026. For questions about your summons, contact the jury commissioner listed on it; for an employment dispute, consult a lawyer licensed in Idaho.

Related pages

• Jury duty laws by state
• Idaho at-will employment laws
• Idaho court records
• Idaho scam and fraud laws
• Washington jury duty laws

Last updated: October 7, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does jury duty pay in Idaho?

Idaho law sets a floor of $5 per half day ($10 if you travel more than 30 miles) and $10 for a day longer than a half day, plus mileage at your county's employee rate. Counties may set higher rates, and each day beyond five days of one trial pays $50 (Idaho Code 2-215).

Can I get out of jury duty in Idaho if I am over 70?

Yes, if you choose to. A person 70 or older is permanently excused by indicating on the qualification questionnaire that they wish to be excused, and can later ask in writing to be reinstated (Idaho Code 2-212(2)). It is not automatic.

Does my employer have to pay me for jury duty in Idaho?

Idaho's jury statute does not require private employers to pay you while you serve; Idaho Code 2-218 protects your job but says nothing about wages. State, school and local government employees should check their own leave rules.

Can I be fired for jury duty in Idaho?

No. Idaho Code 2-218 bars an employer from firing, threatening or coercing you because of jury service. A fired employee may sue within 60 days for three times the lost wages plus reinstatement and attorney's fees.

What happens if I ignore a jury summons in Idaho?

You are directed to appear, then ordered to show cause, and may face contempt proceedings (Idaho Code 2-208). Contempt for neglecting jury service carries a fine of up to $500, up to 5 days in jail, or both (Idaho Code 7-610).

Are National Guard members exempt from jury duty in Idaho?

Idaho Code 46-406 exempts National Guard members who furnish a certificate from their immediate commanding officer that they have performed the duties required by their enlistment or commission, but the jury chapter says no exemptions may be granted except the poll-worker route (Idaho Code 2-211). Raise 46-406 with the jury commissioner and let the court confirm how it applies.

Can I postpone jury duty in Idaho?

Yes, on a written showing of undue hardship, extreme inconvenience or public necessity, or that you are a mother breastfeeding her child, stating when the reason will end (Idaho Code 2-212(3)). Idaho's court rules prefer postponements over excuses.

How often can you be called for jury duty in Idaho?

In any two-year period you cannot be required to serve more than 10 court days as a trial juror (unless a case needs finishing), be on call more than six months, or serve on more than one grand jury (Idaho Code 2-216).

Can I serve as a poll worker instead of jury duty in Idaho?

Sometimes. Since July 1, 2026, if the county clerk reports a shortage of election workers, the court may offer jurors who already have grounds for an excuse or postponement the chance to volunteer as poll workers; completing it excuses you from jury service for two years (Idaho Code 2-212(4)).