Idaho Court Records

The Idaho State court system is structured into three levels: the trial courts, known as the district courts (which include the magistrate division), the Idaho Court of Appeals, and the Idaho Supreme Court, which serves as the highest judicial authority in the state. Approximately 500,000 civil and criminal cases are filed in the Idaho court system annually.

The entire court system is administered by the Idaho Supreme Court, which is responsible for establishing statewide rules and policies that govern court operations. The supreme court serves as the final authority on appeals originating from the district courts.

To support the supreme court in handling appellate matters, the Idaho Court of Appeals was established in 1981. This court hears cases specifically assigned by the supreme court in order to manage the increasing appellate caseload effectively.

The district courts are trial courts of general jurisdiction. District judges preside over serious criminal cases, such as felonies, which may result in fines, imprisonment in the state penitentiary, or even the death penalty, and civil cases where the monetary value exceeds $10,000. They also hear appeals from the magistrate division.

Within the district courts, the magistrate division handles less serious matters. Magistrate judges oversee misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes involving smaller amounts of money (less than $10,000), juvenile matters, family law cases, and probate matters such as wills and estates. They are also responsible for small claims cases, which are informal proceedings designed to help individuals resolve minor civil disputes without the need for attorneys, making the process more accessible and cost-effective. Traffic violations are among the most common cases brought before magistrate judges.

Beyond these courts, Idaho has treatment courts and a water adjudication court. The treatment courts are led by magistrates or district judges using a collaborative approach to provide accountability and treatment to Idahoans with behavioral health issues. The water adjudication court is a special jurisdiction for adjudicating water rights in the state.

What Are the Types of Court Records In Idaho?

Idaho courts handle various types of cases, generating records through legal proceedings involving individuals, businesses, and government entities. Court records may also be generated by court officials as part or separate from legal proceedings. Each court has a clerk responsible for maintaining and organizing these records. The types of records maintained by Idaho courts include:

• Idaho Supreme Court
• Appellate Case Records: Appeals from the Idaho Court of Appeals and directly from District Courts, including briefs, opinions, and case files.
• Attorney Disciplinary Records: Disciplinary actions taken by the Idaho State Bar and rulings issued by the Court.
• Judicial Disciplinary Records: Records of proceedings initiated by the Idaho Judicial Council regarding judicial misconduct.
• Rules and Procedural Orders: Amendments to the Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, and other court administration rules.
• Extraordinary Writs and Motions: Includes habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, and other special writ filings.
• Idaho Court of Appeals
• Appellate Case Records: Filings, court opinions, and decisions for assigned appeals.
• Briefs and Legal Arguments: Documents submitted by counsel during appellate review.
• Docket Sheets: Listings of pending and decided cases.
• Motions and Petitions: Requests for review, reconsideration, or relief pending appeal.
• Idaho District Courts
• Criminal Case Records: Felony charges, indictments, trial transcripts, sentencing orders.
• Civil Case Records: Lawsuits involving monetary damages, contract disputes, tort claims, and real estate matters.
• Divorce and Family Law Records: Divorce decrees, child custody orders, spousal support rulings, and modifications.
• Protective Orders: Civil protection orders in domestic violence and harassment cases.
• Probate and Guardianship Records: Wills, estates, guardianship, conservatorship, and mental health commitment filings.
• Idaho Magistrate Courts
• Misdemeanor Criminal Records: Includes DUIs, petty theft, disorderly conduct, and sentencing outcomes.
• Civil Case Records: Small claims under $10,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and minor contract disputes.
• Preliminary Hearings: Probable cause hearings for felony cases.
• Arrest Warrants and Search Warrants: Records of applications and court-issued warrants.
• Traffic and Infractions Records: Citations for speeding, reckless driving, and non-moving violations.
• Juvenile Proceedings: Delinquency cases, child protection (CPS), and guardianship matters.
• Mental Health Commitments: Petitions and court orders for involuntary treatment.

Are Idaho Court Records Public?

Court records in Idaho are generally considered public under the Idaho Public Records Act. This law provides the public with the right to inspect and copy most government records, including those maintained by the judicial branch. However, access to court records is also governed by the Idaho Court Administrative Rules (ICAR) 32, which outlines specific provisions regarding public and non-public court records.

Note that certain records are exempt from public disclosure under ICAR 32 and Idaho statutes. Common examples include:

• Adoption records
• Juvenile court records, unless ordered open by the court
• Mental health commitment proceedings
• Records involving confidential informants
• Sexual assault and domestic violence protection orders
• Grand jury proceedings and sealed indictments
• Records sealed by court order, including some divorce or custody matters

Idaho courts may order the sealing of court records under ICAR 32 if:

• Disclosure would endanger the life or safety of individuals
• Records contain confidential business information or trade secrets
• Sealing is necessary to preserve the fairness of a trial
• The information involves national security or highly sensitive government interests
• Privacy interests outweigh the public interest in disclosure

How Do I Search Idaho Court Records?

You may search Idaho court records using both online and in-person methods. To search these records, follow these steps:

• Visit the iCourt Portal
• Select your county of violation
• Choose the service as "Records Search"
• Click on "Smart Search". Alternatively, you may select the "Search Hearings" to search for court hearings for a specified date range.
• Enter relevant details such as case number, party name, or citation number.
• Review the case details and available documents

How To Retrieve Court Records Offline

If you are unable to find the record you want online or need certified documents, you may visit the clerk of the court in the county where the case was filed. At the office of the courthouse, you may use public access terminals to look up court records or submit a request to the office of the clerk. In your request, you must provide relevant information such as case number, party name, filing date, and any other information that may aid the office in completing the search.

Note that fees apply to obtain standard or certified copies of court records. While the exact fee varies per jurisdiction, standard copies are typically charged at $1 per page, while certification may attract an additional $1 per document. Most Idaho courts aim to respond within 3 business days of receiving a request. However, if more time is needed, courts may take up to 10 business days, notifying the requester accordingly. Also, requests requiring extensive research or involving multiple records may take longer, with the court providing an estimated timeframe.

Can I Seal or Expunge an Ohio Court Record?

Expungement generally refers to the removal or destruction of records related to a criminal case, while sealing refers to the restriction of a record from public access. Expungement applies in limited circumstances in Idaho, such as when:

• A juvenile taken into custody and whose fingerprints and photographs are taken.
• Any person who was arrested or received a criminal summons but was not formally charged by indictment or information within one year of the arrest or summons.
• Any person who was acquitted of all charges related to their case.
• A person who has been granted an exemption from registering as a sexual offender.
• A person whose DNA profile was included in the state's database or databank, if the conviction that authorized the inclusion was later reversed and the case dismissed.

Juvenile offenders may also be eligible, except in cases involving certain serious offenses or conditions. These excluded offenses include:

• Administering poison with the intent to kill
• Armed robbery
• Arson
• Kidnapping
• Felony injury to a child
• Sexual exploitation of a child
• Rape (excluding statutory rape)
• Voluntary manslaughter
• Murder (any degree)
• Assault with intent to commit a serious felony

Certain waiting periods apply before you may submit a petition for expungement in Idaho. These include the following:

• Five years must have passed since the court's jurisdiction over the case ended.
• Five years must have passed since the individual was released from a juvenile corrections center, or they must have reached 18 years of age, whichever comes later.
• If the individual was adjudicated for a misdemeanor or a status offense and was not committed to the Department of Juvenile Corrections, they may file a petition for expungement one year after the court's jurisdiction ended or upon turning 18 years old, whichever occurs later.

The expungement process in Idaho typically follows these steps:

• Obtain Criminal Records: Request a copy of your criminal record from the Idaho State Police or the relevant court to review the information that will be provided in your petition.
• Determine Eligibility: Review Idaho statutes or consult with an experienced expungement attorney in Idaho to verify that your case qualifies for expungement or sealing.
• Prepare the Petition: Complete the petition form. The appropriate form may be obtained at the clerk's office at your local courthouse.
• File the Petition: Submit the completed petition to the court that handled your original case.
• Notify Relevant Parties: Serve copies of the petition to the prosecuting attorney and any other parties involved in the case.
• Attend a Hearing: The court may schedule a hearing to consider your petition. Be prepared to present evidence of rehabilitation and reasons supporting your request.
• Await the Court's Decision: If the court grants your petition, it will issue an order to expunge or seal the records.

How To Search Federal Court Records in Ohio

Idaho has one federal judicial district known as the United States District Court for the District of Idaho. This court has three main divisional offices located in Coeur d'Alene, Pocatello, and Boise (headquarters). It handles cases involving violations of federal law, including bankruptcy, immigration, civil rights, intellectual property, and federal criminal offenses.

Individuals may access records of this federal court, including bankruptcy records in the following ways:

• Online via PACER: The Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system provides remote access to federal court records nationwide, including those in Idaho. However, users must create an account on PACER before searching for federal records on the system. Typically, it costs $0.10 per page to access records on the system.
• In-Person at the Courthouse: Court records are available for public inspection at the clerk's offices in Boise, Pocatello, and Coeur d'Alene. Copy fees for documents obtained when using the computer in the court's lobby is $0.10 per page. However, a copy fee of $0.50 per page applies if the office of the clerk makes the copies. Be aware that acertification fee applies for each document requiring certification
• Via Telephone: Basic bankruptcy court case details may be accessed via the automated Voice Case Information System (VCIS). For assistance, call (866) 222-8029 or visit the VCIS information page on the court's website for more information. Alternatively, you may call the office of the clerk during telephone hours.

If the documents you need were filed more than 20 years ago, they may no longer be available. Still, older case files are stored at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in Seattle, Washington. To check the file's location, you may contact the office of the clerk. However, if the case has been archived, retrieval fees will apply.

How To Get Idaho Court Records Online for Free?

You can access Idaho court records online for free through the iCourt Portal, which provides access to public case information across all Idaho counties. You will need a case number or party name to complete a search on this portal. Additionally, since court records are generally public records, reputable third-party databases like PeopleRecords.us provide free online access to Idaho court records.