Where did the jury office get my name for jury duty?
Names for potential jurors are randomly drawn from voter registration lists obtained from the Secretary of State of Wyoming.
How long do I serve on jury duty?
You will be “on call” for six months. Although you are “on call”, you will only be required to report for jury selection when needed. The number of times may vary depending on the needs of the Court. Jurors are rotated within the panel to help minimize appearance dates. After you serve as a juror, you will be excused from the panel you are serving on and your obligation for your service term will conclude.
I do not reside in the county where the court is located. Do I have to serve?
The U.S. District Court Wyoming encompasses the entire State of Wyoming. With only three divisions (Casper, Cheyenne and Fremont), all counties across the state are encompassed by one of those three divisions. Your county of residence puts you into the closest U.S. District Court division based on geography. Many jurors in this state have to travel a great distance to fulfill their obligation to jury duty.
What should I do if I live outside of the city I report to?
Jurors that live more than 50 miles from the city they are reporting to are allowed to travel in the day before they are scheduled to appear. You will receive hotel reimbursement (up to $110 plus tax per day) WITH a receipt and daily per diem ($68 per day). Jurors staying with friends or family will receive only the per diem rate. Jurors that live less than 50 miles from the court MUST obtain prior permission from the Court for overnight stay or subsistence will not be provided. Again, PLEASE call the jury information line BEFORE you depart for jury service to ensure that there has not been a change in the court schedule. Do not book hotels through a 3rd party. Call all hotels directly to make sure you are charged at the federal government rate.
What will I be paid for my jury service?
Attendance fee - Jurors are paid an attendance fee of $50.00 per day for each day they are traveling to/from and/or attending their call for jury service. Note: Employees of the federal government are not paid juror fees, except for postal employees. If you are a postal employee, please report your regular working days and hours to the jury clerk when checking in so that your jury fee can be correctly calculated. All jurors should check with their employers to determine their policy for jury service.
Mileage - Jurors receive roundtrip mileage from their hometown to the city they are reporting to. This courtesy is extended to jurors who reside in the same town but live more than 10 miles (one-way) to the courthouse. The mileage is paid at the current rate authorized by the Internal Revenue Service. Receipts for gas/fuel do not need to be turned in.
Hotel reimbursement - Jurors residing more than 50 miles from the courthouse that have been called to report to will also be reimbursed for lodging at the federal government rate ($110 per day) plus tax. Hotel rates that are more expensive than the federal government rate will only be imbursed at the federal government rate. Jurors should contact hotels directly to request this rate rather than using 3rd party websites. If you stay with friends or family, no “hotel” reimbursement will be provided. Hotel receipts MUST be submitted for reimbursement.
Per diem - Jurors who reside more than 50 miles from the courthouse will also be paid per diem in accordance with the local per diem rate for their location ($68 per day). Per diem should cover meals and incidentals. No receipts are required.
**You will NOT receive an IRS 1099 unless you earn $2,000 or more in jury attendance fees. The $2,000.00 threshold does NOT include hotel reimbursement, per diem, or mileage. It is rare that many jurors will meet this threshold.
Where should I park?
Cheyenne Jurors:
You MUST bring the completed form sent to you with your Summons. If you do not receive your Summons in the mail prior to your arrival, you will have to fill one out at the Court when you report for service. Please have your license plate number as well as the make and model of your vehicle. This information is provided to the Cheyenne Police Department to exempt you from a parking ticket. Please do not park along the north or south sides of the building as those areas are reserved for law enforcement. Do not park in any church or bank parking lots. You should park in areas that are designated for 2 hours or longer only or you may also park in the George Cox Parking Garage located at 400 West 20th Street. You may park in a disabled persons space only if you have the appropriate disabled persons sticker for your vehicle.
Casper Jurors:
There is no parking available at the courthouse. You may park in a disabled persons space only if you have the appropriate disabled persons sticker for your vehicle. Please do not park in any church, bank parking lots or along the side or back of the courthouse as it is reserved parking. Please park in the parking garage located at 230 S. Wolcott on the corner of Widwest and Wolcott (one block south of the courthouse). There may not be an attendant on duty, however, please park in an hourly parking spot. The total charge for parking Monday-Thursday is $13.00 per day and $14.00 on Friday. Please make sure you bring your receipt for parking so you can be reimbursed upon completion of your service. The Court is NOT responsible for parking tickets received during jury selection.
May I bring a cell phone or laptop into the courthouse?
No cell phones or laptops are allowed during jury selection. Please leave these devices in your vehicles. If you are selected to serve as a juror in the case, you will be presented with a card that allows you to bring these devices through security for the duration of your service at that time.
If you are called to serve and require your cell phone for medical purposes, please reach out to the Jury Office via phone or email so accommodations can be made.
What should I wear?
Jurors should dress comfortably. “Business casual” attire is generally appropriate. Very casual attire such as hats, tank tops, halters and shorts are not appropriate and will not be permitted. We ask that you use good judgment in your attire in order to maintain the dignity and formality of the Court.
Can I get in trouble with my employer for being called to jury service?
In the event you are questioned by your employer regarding jury service: 28 USC 1875(a) reads “No employer shall discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce any permanent employee by reason of such employee’s jury service, or attendance in connection with such service, in any Court of the United States.”
If you need to provide your employer with proof of attendance, please ask the Courtroom Deputy or the person at the front desk in the Clerk’s office to prepare a certificate of attendance before you leave. All jurors should check with their employers to determine their policy for jury service. Your employer CANNOT submit a request to the Court asking you be excused from jury service.
What happens if I fail to appear for jury service?
Any person who fails to report for jury duty may be served with an Order to Show Cause. The court may then hold a hearing on the Order to Show Cause. A juror who fails to show adequate cause to the judge for the absence can be held in contempt of court under the Jury Selection Act. The penalty can be a fine of up to $1,000, up to three days imprisonment, a term of community service, or any combination of these to be determined at the discretion of the Court.