A basic knowledge of the Idaho court system can be very beneficial if you ever find yourself in the courtroom. All too often individuals and businesses find the need to file a lawsuit, or are at the receiving end of a lawsuit, and their lack of knowledge on how the court system works leaves them lost in the proceedings. Regardless of the circumstances that put you there, it doesn’t hurt to understand the court process and know a little about the individual overseeing your case.

It’s important to understand that there are multiple courts in each state that oversee different types of cases. Each of these courts has judges that administer the law and case process. When considering Idaho courts and judges, keep the following in mind:

1. You can download Idaho state court forms to assist you in filing a case.

2. The Idaho Supreme Court and Court of Appeals only hear appellate cases and each court has their own appointed judges.

3. Bankruptcy information and case filings are also accessible through Idaho court records.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate an Idaho county court

Magistrate courts have limited jurisdiction in Idaho. They hear probate, domestic relations, misdemeanor, juvenile, small claims cases of $4,000 or less and civil cases involving up to $10,000. Magistrate courts also maintain exclusive jurisdiction on matters involving traffic and parking violations. The Idaho district court also handles civil (with no maximum), probate domestic relations and juvenile cases. District courts maintain exclusive jurisdiction in criminal cases.

I recommend: The Idaho Supreme Court Self-Help Center provides interactive case forms for many different types of cases. Link to district court websites through Idaho State Judiciary. The Idaho Supreme Court Data Repository is a searchable database of trial cases in all 44 Idaho counties.

File an appeal with the Idaho Supreme Court and Court of Appeals

The purpose of an appellate court is to review the trial transcript and original evidence of a case to determine if there were any errors in the original case decision. There are no witnesses, jurors or new evidence in a case heard before an appellate court. The Court of Appeals has mandatory jurisdiction on appeals filed for civil, non-capital criminal and juvenile matters. The Idaho Supreme Court maintains the same mandatory jurisdictions, as well as capital felonies, and has the authority to appoint any of those appellate cases to the Court of Appeals. It also hears appeals filed on appellate case decisions made by the Court of Appeals.

I recommend: Visit Public Records Information for details on the Idaho court structure, with various helpful links, including the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. Idaho State Judiciary provides a searchable database of appellate court decisions.

Access Idaho bankruptcy court records

Whether you need to search for a bankruptcy filing on a debtor or determine if bankruptcy is an option for you or your company, the Idaho bankruptcy courts can assist you with both. The Idaho bankruptcy court provides information on the basics for bankruptcy filing, contact information for trustees and bankruptcy attorneys and an online search of Idaho bankruptcy records through the PACER system (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).

I recommend: Obtain basic bankruptcy forms on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court – District of Idaho website. Visit the bankruptcy court records search provided through the District of Idaho Document Filing System.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Regardless of how much knowledge you have of the Idaho county courts, you should hire an attorney who specializes in your specific type of case to represent you.