For immediate release: April 24, 2024
Media contact:
Sandy Erhardt, Gallatin County Clerk of District Court
406-582-2165
serhardt@mt.gov
Gallatin County District Court Sending Postcards to Potential Jurors for 2024-2025 Term
Next week, residents of Gallatin County who have been selected to serve in the upcoming jury term for Gallatin County District Court will receive official notifications regarding their selection. These individuals will be kindly asked to promptly complete a related questionnaire.
The Clerk of District Court’s Office will send out roughly 8,500 notices to residents who were randomly chosen to be a part of District Court’s upcoming jury term, which runs from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. Names are drawn from a combined list of Montana registered voters, Montana licenses drivers, and holders of Montana identification cards.
District Court’s jurisdiction spans a diverse array of legal matters including criminal cases (primarily felonies), civil matters with over $12,000 damages, domestic relations, juvenile, probate, mental health, water cases, and appeals from Justice Court, Municipal Court, and administrative agencies.
It is important to note that recipients of these notifications are not being summoned for a specific jury trial at this time. Rather, they are being informed of their potential eligibility for jury duty during the year-long term.
It is essential for selected residents to promptly respond to these notices by completing the accompanying juror questionnaire within 10 days of receipt. Failure to do so may result in a personal visit from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, tasked with delivering questionnaires to non-responsive individuals. Such an undertaking places undue strain on our law enforcement resources, leading to potential delays in trials and impeding the timely administration of justice.
“Ensuring the timely completion of juror questionnaires is vital for the smooth functioning of our judicial system. By promptly returning these forms, residents play a crucial role in upholding the integrity of our courts,” said Sandy Erhardt, Gallatin County Clerk of District Court.
Recipients have multiple convenient options for completing their questionnaires:
- Scan the QR code on the front of the postcard with a smartphone and fill out the questionnaire online
- Visit https://mt.access.gov.com/gallatin-county and fill out the questionnaire online
- Get a paper copy of the questionnaire by calling Gallatin County Clerk of District Court’s office at 406-582-2168, emailing gallatindcjury@mt.gov, or stopping by in person at the Law and Justice Center at 615 S. 16th Ave., room 302 in Bozeman
All postcards will include these detailed instructions. If you have questions, please call the Gallatin County Clerk of District Court’s Office at 406-582-2168 or email gallatindcjury@mt.gov.
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