The United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Idaho as well as Probation and Pretrial announce operating with reduced staff. For full details, please visit the COVID-19 Information section of this website.
Anyone who is experiencing COVID like symptoms or who has tested positive for COVID within the last 10 days must report this to the Court Security Officers at the entrance to any courthouse. In general, masking will be in accordance with CDC guidance and whether masks are required in any individual courthouse is outlined below. Please refer to General Order No. 419 for how the Court will operate during the different risk levels. |
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![]() Boise
Current Level: GreenCourthouse: Open Gatherings: No Limitation Masking: Optional |
![]() Coeur d'Alene
Current Level: GreenCourthouse: Open Gatherings: No Limitation Masking: Optional |
![]() Pocatello
Current Level: GreenCourthouse: Open Gatherings: No Limitation Masking: Optional |
A civil petit jury is typically made up of 6 to 12 persons. In a civil case, the role of the jury is to listen to the evidence presented at a trial, to decide whether the defendant injured the plaintiff or otherwise failed to fulfill a legal duty to the plaintiff, and to determine what the compensation or penalty should be.
A criminal petit jury is usually made up of 12 members. Criminal juries decide whether the defendant committed the crime as charged. The sentence usually is set by a judge.
Verdicts in both civil and criminal cases must be unanimous, although the parties in a civil case may agree to a non-unanimous verdict. A jury's deliberations are conducted in private, out of sight and hearing of the judge, litigants, witnesses, and others in the courtroom.
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.