Custer County, ID Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The Custer County District Court is part of Idaho's unified trial court, and the Clerk of the District Court keeps the county's court records. The Magistrate Division handles misdemeanors, infractions, small claims, most family and probate matters, and initial felony proceedings, while district judges handle felonies and larger civil cases.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Custer County District Court (Idaho unified trial court) |
| Main Address | 801 Main Street, PO Box 1128, Challis, ID 83226 |
| Main Phone | (208) 879-2360 |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 (Challis) |
| Handles | Misdemeanors, infractions, small claims, most family and probate matters, and initial felony proceedings in the Magistrate Division; felonies and larger civil cases before district judges |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho) and parking tickets (citing agency) |
| Online Case Search | mycourts.idaho.gov |
| Criminal Records Requests | Contact the Clerk of the District Court at (208) 879-2360 |
How to Search Custer County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. Custer County records are kept by the Clerk of the District Court.
Online
Go to mycourts.idaho.gov to search the Idaho Repository portal.
Search by name or case number, then open the case details.
Check the portal for case status before you call the clerk.
Best for: Quick lookups of case status
In Person
Go to 801 Main Street, PO Box 1128, Challis, ID 83226.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk which division handles your case type.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Phone
Call (208) 879-2360 to confirm what the clerk needs.
Give the case number and party names before you ask for records.
Ask whether the records you need can be provided by phone.
Best for: Confirming what the clerk needs first
Search by Name on IdahoCourts.org
Go to IdahoCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Custer County Court Statistics (FY 2024)
Custer County courts handled an estimated 349 new cases in FY 2024 and disposed of an estimated 340. The estimate scales Idaho statewide totals by the county's share of state population.
~349
Total filings in FY 2024
~340
Total dispositions in FY 2024
~349
Filings per judicial position (1 estimated positions)
~+2.6%
Change in total filings vs FY 2023
| Metric | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~349 | ~340 | ~+2.6% |
| Total Dispositions | ~340 | ~333 | ~+2.1% |
| Criminal Filings | ~225 | ~218 | ~+3.2% |
| Civil Filings | ~69 | ~67 | ~+3.0% |
| Family Law Filings | ~22 | ~21 | ~+4.8% |
| Probate Filings | ~13 | ~12 | ~+8.3% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~6 | ~6 | ~+0.0% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~9 | ~9 | ~+0.0% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~1 | ~1 | ~0.0% |
The largest category movement was in criminal filings. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Idaho statewide figures scaled by Custer County's 0.23% share of the state population.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Custer County?
Estimated total filings in Custer County moved up over the last five years; dispositions are estimated at a similar level.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2024 | ~349 | ~340 | ~+2.6% |
| FY 2023 | ~340 | ~333 | ~+3.7% |
| FY 2022 | ~328 | ~324 | ~+2.8% |
| FY 2021 | ~319 | ~310 | ~+3.6% |
| FY 2020 | ~308 | ~294 | ~+3.6% |
Estimated filings changed +13.3% between FY 2020 and FY 2024, from 308 to 349. The largest annual change was +3.7% in FY 2023. The latest change of +2.6% reflects statewide Idaho trends. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Idaho statewide figures scaled by Custer County's 0.23% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Custer County?
Idaho has one unified trial court, the District Court, and this table shows which court or office handles each type of matter in Custer County. Case counts are not available at the county level, so no filing figures appear here.
| Court or Office | What It Handles |
|---|---|
| Magistrate Division of the District Court | Misdemeanors, infractions, small claims, most family and probate matters, and initial felony proceedings |
| District Court judges | Felonies and larger civil cases |
| City ordinance cases | Generally handled in the county Magistrate Division |
| Parking tickets | Citing city or agency |
| Clerk of the District Court | Keeps the county's court records |
| Idaho Court of Appeals and Idaho Supreme Court | Appeals |
| U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho | Federal cases |
How Does Custer County Compare With Idaho Overall?
Custer County is estimated to account for about 0.23% of the 152,000 cases filed in Idaho courts in FY 2024.
| Metric | Custer County | Idaho | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~349 | 152,000 | ~0.23% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~+2.6% | +2.7% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~349 | 987 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~340 | 961 | Estimated at the state level |
| Criminal share of filings | ~64.5% | 64.5% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Civil share of filings | ~19.7% | 19.7% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Family law share of filings | ~6.2% | 6.2% | Same as state (estimate) |
These county values are estimates built from statewide Idaho figures, so they track the state mix by design. Actual county dockets may differ. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Idaho statewide figures scaled by Custer County's 0.23% share of the state population.
Custer County Crime Statistics (2024)
These crime totals are Idaho statewide figures reported to the FBI, and county crime counts are not published as downloads. They do not describe Custer County specifically.
4,722
Violent crimes statewide, 2024 (Idaho statewide)
15,134
Property crimes statewide, 2024 (Idaho statewide)
235.9
Statewide violent crime rate per 100K, 2024
-6.5%
Change in total reported crimes statewide vs 2023
| Offense (Idaho statewide) | 2024 | Rate per 100K | 2023 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime | 4,722 | 235.9 | 4,772 | -1.0% |
| Property crime | 15,134 | 756.1 | 16,475 | -8.1% |
| Total | 19,856 | 992.0 | 21,247 | -6.5% |
Statewide violent and property crime rates for 2024 were 235.9 and 756.1 per 100K. County rates are not available.
Custer County Courthouse Locations
Custer County has 1 courthouse location, in Challis. Check your notice or summons for the division and courtroom before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Custer County Courthouse (Challis) | 801 Main Street, PO Box 1128, Challis, ID 83226 | (208) 879-2360 |
The official courthouse directory is at isc.idaho.gov/Courthouse.
Which Court Handles Your Case in Custer County?
Idaho's District Court handles Custer County cases through its Magistrate Division and district judges. Call the Clerk of the District Court at (208) 879-2360 if you are unsure which division holds your case.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Magistrate Division of the District Court | Infractions are heard in the Magistrate Division. |
| Parking ticket | The agency that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are not handled by the District Court. |
| Misdemeanor | Magistrate Division | Magistrates handle misdemeanors. |
| Felony | District Court (district judges) | Magistrates hold initial felony proceedings, and district judges handle felonies. |
| DUI | Magistrate Division or District Court | Misdemeanor charges go to magistrates and felony charges to district judges, so check the charge on your paperwork. |
| Domestic violence | Magistrate Division or District Court | Criminal charges follow the misdemeanor or felony route. |
| Civil lawsuit | District Court | District judges handle larger civil cases. |
| Small claims | Magistrate Division | Magistrates handle small claims. |
| Divorce | Magistrate Division | Magistrates handle most family matters. |
| Child custody or support | Magistrate Division | Magistrates handle most family matters. |
| Probate or estate | Magistrate Division | Magistrates handle most probate matters. |
| Juvenile case | Clerk of the District Court | Juvenile records are restricted, so ask the clerk how to proceed. |
| Appeal | Idaho Court of Appeals or Idaho Supreme Court | Appeals from the District Court go to the appellate courts. |
| Federal case | U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho | Federal cases are not heard in the county court. |
Are Custer County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Custer County court records are public, with exceptions. Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32 presumes that court records are open to the public, and the Idaho Public Records Act applies in general terms.
Public records
Most case files in the District Court are open to the public, including many criminal, civil, and family case records. Requests are handled through the Clerk of the District Court at (208) 879-2360.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, adoption, child protection, and certain family records are restricted, so they may not be available online or in person.
Online access
The Idaho Repository portal at mycourts.idaho.gov offers case searches. Not every document is online, and restricted records may not be shown.
In-person access
Visit the Clerk of the District Court at 801 Main Street, PO Box 1128, Challis, ID 83226, or call (208) 879-2360 to confirm which records you can view.
Fees
No fees are stated in the sources for this section. Ask the Clerk of the District Court about any copy or search costs.
How to Search Custer County Court Records Online
Use the Idaho Repository portal at mycourts.idaho.gov to search Custer County cases, and ask the clerk for documents that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Open mycourts.idaho.gov and choose the search that matches the case.
- Search by party name or case number, and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case information for status and scheduled dates.
- Call the Clerk of the District Court at (208) 879-2360 to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | mycourts.idaho.gov | Case information shown on the portal | Not every document is online |
| Traffic | mycourts.idaho.gov | Case information shown on the portal | Confirm the case is listed on the portal |
| Civil | mycourts.idaho.gov | Case information shown on the portal | Restricted records may not be shown |
| Small claims | mycourts.idaho.gov | Case information shown on the portal | Not every document is online |
| Family law | mycourts.idaho.gov | Case information shown on the portal | Certain family records are restricted |
| Probate | mycourts.idaho.gov | Case information shown on the portal | Confirm the case is listed on the portal |
| Juvenile | Clerk of the District Court at (208) 879-2360 | Case information from the clerk | Juvenile records are restricted |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Custer County
Contact the Clerk of the District Court to ask how to pay a fine or citation in Custer County, since the payment options are not listed in the sources used for this section.
- By phone: Call the Clerk of the District Court at (208) 879-2360 to ask which payment methods are accepted for your ticket or fine. Confirm the amount due before you pay.
- In person: Visit the Clerk of the District Court at 801 Main Street, PO Box 1128, Challis, ID 83226 and ask which payment methods are accepted.
- Idaho Judiciary: Visit isc.idaho.gov for court contact information if you cannot reach the county clerk.
Parking tickets are not handled by the District Court, so contact the agency that issued the ticket.
Custer County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Custer County court records?
Go to mycourts.idaho.gov to search case information by name or case number, or call the Clerk of the District Court at (208) 879-2360.
Are Custer County court records public?
Yes, most are, under Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32, but juvenile, sealed, adoption, child protection, and certain family records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search by name at mycourts.idaho.gov or call the Clerk of the District Court at (208) 879-2360 with the defendant's full name.
How do I find a court date?
Check your notice or summons first, then call the Clerk of the District Court at (208) 879-2360 to confirm the schedule.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Call the Clerk of the District Court at (208) 879-2360 to ask which payment methods are accepted, or visit the courthouse at 801 Main Street, PO Box 1128, Challis, ID 83226.
How many cases are filed per year?
County filing counts are not published as downloads. Statewide, the Idaho Judiciary reported roughly 93,000 civil filings and about 58,500 criminal cases in FY2025.
What is the most common case type?
Statewide, civil filings (roughly 93,000) were the largest reported category, ahead of criminal cases (about 58,500 in FY2025). County-level breakdowns are not available.
Is crime in Idaho rising or falling?
Idaho statewide, reported violent crimes fell 1.0 percent and property crimes fell 8.1 percent in 2024 compared with 2023, based on FBI data. County crime counts are not published as downloads.
Courts in the County
Custer County Idaho CourthouseMore Info
| Address: | 801 E. Main Avenue, Challis, ID, 83226 |
| Phone Number: | 208-879-2359 |
| Fax: | 208-879-6412 |
| Website: | https://www.co.custer.id.us/departments/legislative/courts/ |
Useful Links
- Fourth Judicial District of Idaho (Custer County) - Learn about the structure and services provided by the Fourth Judicial District serving Custer County, Idaho.
- Custer County, Idaho - Courts Information - Access comprehensive information about the local court system in Custer County, including contact details and locations.
- Contact Us - Idaho State Judiciary - Contact information for Idaho judiciary services, useful for inquiries about local court proceedings in Custer County.
- Custer County Recorder's Office - Search public records in Custer County, including real estate and court-related document recording services.
- Idaho Rules of Family Law Procedure - Find detailed information and guidance on family law procedures that apply in Custer County, from an official perspective.
- Public Court Docket - Idaho Supreme Court - Access the public court docket for cases in Custer County via Idaho Supreme Court's repository platform.
- Idaho Legal Resources - Simplifying Law for Everyone - A comprehensive legal resource platform offering guidance and assistance for Custer County residents navigating legal issues.
- Custer County Clerk's Office - Find essential information about accessing court records and services in Custer County through the Clerk's Office.
- ACLU of Idaho - Accessing Court Records - Resources and guidance provided by ACLU Idaho on accessing court records and understanding legal rights in Custer County.
- Judicial Watch - Court Records Search - National non-profit providing a portal for searching court records, including those relevant to Custer County, Idaho.
- Idaho Legal Resources - FindLaw - Discover various legal resources and information relevant to Custer County, curated by the legal platform FindLaw.
- Idaho State Police - Criminal Records - Guidance on accessing criminal records within Idaho, with applications in legal contexts in Custer County.
- Idaho eFile - eFile and Serve System - Learn about the Idaho eFile system for electronic court filing, applicable to Custer County legal professionals.
- Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance - Resources and support services for victims available statewide, including for residents of Custer County.
- Idaho Legal Aid Services - Offering free civil legal advice for low-income residents in Idaho, including those in Custer County.
- Custer County, Idaho - QuickFacts from the Census Bureau - Obtain fast, reliable demographic and census data relevant to Custer County, essential for legal professionals.
- Self-Help Center - Idaho Courts - An online self-help center provided by Idaho Courts for individuals dealing with civil legal matters in Custer County.
- Custer County Idaho Official Website - The official Custer County website providing governmental resources, including legal and court-related services.
- Custer County Idaho Government - Official government portal featuring information and resources for residents, including public records and court assistance.
- DOJ's Guidance and Resources - Federal Department of Justice resources covering national legal assistance programs, with potential links to Custer County services.
Table of Contents
- Custer County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Custer County Court Records
- Custer County Court Statistics (FY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Custer County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Custer County?
- How Does Custer County Compare With Idaho Overall?
- Custer County Crime Statistics (2024)
- Custer County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Custer County?
- Are Custer County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Custer County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Custer County
- Custer County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links