Jury Duty

Prospective Jurors-

I recognize that jury service is often an imposition on the lives of our jurors, however I believe it is one of the highest forms of civic duty we as citizens can perform. The Court values your time and aim to work as efficiently as possible, consistent with justice, to minimize delays in your service.

Any citizen that has a Montana driver's license, State issued ID, and/or is a registered voter may be selected for Jury Duty. If you have received notice for Jury Duty and are not able to participate, please complete the AFFIDAVIT TO CLAIM EXCUSE FOR JURY DUTY form and submit it to the court.

Thank you for your service and cooperation, the Court looks forward to having you serve on the incoming jury panel. We hope to make this a pleasant, educational, and rewarding experience for all called to serve.

Sincerely,

Anne Peterson
Municipal Court Judge

YOUR JURY QUESTIONNAIRE

JUROR INFORMATION

SUMMONS

In order to be eligible to serve as a trial juror, you must be

  • 18 years of age or older,
  • A resident for at least 30 days of the state and of the city, town
    or county in which you are called for jury service
  • A citizen of the United States.

Pursuant to §3-15-402 M.C. A., Oct. 1, 2007 jurors are randomly selected from a combined list of registered voters, licensed drivers and holders of Montana ID cards. The jury service term for the Helena Municipal Court lasts for one year, from October 1 through September 30.

When you are selected for the one year jury term you will receive notice by bright pink post card. Montana law requires that you respond to the notice.

When you are needed to serve on a specific trial, you will be notified of the date by mail. Many times after you have been selected for a particular case, the case settles before the time you are ordered to report. We will provide a number to call for confirmation of trial to avoid all inconvenience to you, your family, and your employer.

PARTICIPATION

Failure to report for Jury Duty could result in a fine pursuant to section § 3-15-321 M.C.A.. If for any reason you are requesting to be excused from jury duty with the Helena Municipal Court due to undue hardship it may cause you, you must fill out the JURY REQUEST FOR EXCUSAL form with supporting documentation (i.e., doctor’s note, airline/hotel reservation, etc.) and press submit or you can print off and send it to.

mail:
Helena Municipal Court- Jury Duty
406 Fuller Ave.
Helena, MT 59601

fax: 406-447-8265

email: helenamunicipalcourt@helenamt.gov

PARKING: You will receive a parking permit with your jury trial summons which will allow you to park for free during the day of the jury trial. The Parking pass allows you to park streetside between Lawrence and Neil or City Lot #2 at Lawrence and Park. Handicap parking is available on Fuller Ave.

PAYMENT: Checks for jury service will be mailed out approximately two (2) weeks after the conclusion of the trial. You can expect to be paid as follows:
$12.00 to appear as a potential juror
$25.00 per day if you are selected to sit as a trial juror

TRIAL STATUS: Jury trials are sometimes settled at the last minute. In order for us to keep you informed of the final status of the jury trial, we request that you check the Jury Trial Status page prior to departing for the Courthouse and/or call (406) 447-8466 to hear the Jury Trial Status message. If the case has not settled it is important that you report to the Helena Municipal Court no later than 8:30 AM.

Contact us:

To report vacations, updates in contact information, or general questions contact:

Helena Municipal Court
Phone: (406) 447-8466 ext (1)
helenamunicipalcourt@helenamt.gov

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