NCJ Number
55085
Date Published
1977
Length
66 pages
Annotation
THE REPORT, ONE IN A SERIES CONTAINING PROFILES OF NONFEDERAL COURT SYSTEMS, DESCRIBES THE ORGANIZATION OF STATE COURTS IN IDAHO.
Abstract
THE IDAHO COURT SYSTEM IS UNIFIED AND INTEGRATED, WITH ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUPREME COURT. THE SUPREME COURT IS THE FINAL APPELLATE COURT AND HAS STATEWIDE APPELLATE JURISDICTION OVER FINAL DECISIONS OF THE DISTRICT COURT AND OVER ORDERS OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION AND THE INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS COMMISSION. THE SUPREME COURT HAS ORIGINAL JURISDICTION TO HEAR CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE AND THE POWER TO ISSUE ALL WRITS NECESSARY TO ITS APPELLATE FUNCTIONS. THERE IS NO INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT IN IDAHO. THE DISTRICT COURT IS THE GENERAL JURISDICTION TRIAL COURT, AND A MAGISTRATE DIVISION EXCERCISES LIMITED JURISDICTION. A SMALL CLAIMS DEPARTMENT EXISTS WITHIN THE MAGISTRATE DIVISION THAT HANDLES CIVIL CASES WHERE LESS THAT $500 IS IN CONTROVERSY. THE DISTRICT COURT HAS ORIGINAL JURISDICTION IN ALL CASES AND PROCEDURES AND ADDITIONALLY, HEARS APPEALS FROM THE MAGISTRATE DIVISION AND CERTAIN AGENCIES AND BOARDS. JUDGES OF THE MAGISTRATE DIVISION HEAR CIVIL CASES WHERE THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGES REQUESTED DOES NOT EXCEED $5,000 AND PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING FORCIBLE ENTRY, COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY LIENS ON REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY, PROBATE OF WILL, ESTATE ADMINISTRATION, JUVENILES, CRIMINAL MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES, SEARCHES AND SEIZURES, AND FELONY COMPLAINTS. PROCEDURES PERTAINING TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED: THE QUALIFICATIONS, SELECTION, AND TERM OF THE JUDICIARY; THE DISCIPLINE AND REMOVAL OF JUDGES; COMPENSATION; RETIREMENT AGE AND ACTIVE SERVICE; AND CONTINUING EDUCATION. THERE ARE NO PARAJUDICIAL OFFICERS IN IDAHO. THE DETAILED PROFILE OF THE COURT SYSTEM CONCERNS THE COURT OF LAST RESORT, TRIAL COURT OF GENERAL JURISDICTION, COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION, JUDGES, NONJUDICIAL PERSONNEL, JUDICIAL POLICYMAKING AND ADVISORY BODIES, COURT ADMINISTRATION, COURT FINANCING, AND COURT RECORDS AND STATISTICS. SOURCES OF INFORMATION USED TO PREPARE THE PROFILE ARE LISTED, AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS OF THE COURT SYSTEM ARE INCLUDED. DATA ON SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE IDAHO COURT SYSTEM AND AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION STANDARDS RELATING TO COURT ORGANIZATION ARE PROVIDED. (DEP)