Idaho Misdemeanors

In Idaho, a misdemeanor is a criminal offense. Misdemeanors are punishable by a year or less in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

What Is a Misdemeanor in Idaho?

According to §18-111 of the Idaho Code, a misdemeanor is any criminal offense that is not a felony. These will include all criminal offenses that are not punishable by death or imprisonment in a state prison. Unless the Idaho Code states a different punishment, most offenses labeled as misdemeanors can lead to jail time in a county jail for no more than six (6) months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. However, some misdemeanors can result in jail time of up to a year.

Idaho does not categorize misdemeanors into various classes. Instead, it has a general law for sentencing misdemeanors. In addition, the state has several specific laws that determine the maximum penalty for some misdemeanor offenses. Common examples of misdemeanors in Idaho are simple battery, minor theft, disorderly conduct, and many first-time DUI offenses.

Misdemeanor Classes and Penalties in Idaho

General rule. Unless the Idaho Code states otherwise, most misdemeanors can result injail time of up to 6 months in a county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

Important nuances.

• Specific misdemeanor laws allow for higher penalties, such as up to one year in county jail. The Idaho court clerk manual points out this exception while confirming the standard six-month/$1,000 rule.
• Specific fines or additional penalties accompany many offenses. For example, Idaho’s DUI laws (Title 18, ch. 80) outline jail time, fines, and consequences for driver’s licenses.

Illustrations.

• First-offense DUI (misdemeanor): A first-offense DUI is usually punished with up to 6 months in jail, fines up to $1,000, and a license suspension. Other administrative penalties depend on the law and case details.
• Child endangerment (certain subsections): The law may set a fine of up to $2,000 and/or jail time. This shows how specific laws can exceed the standard fine limit.

Courts can also impose probation, community service, restitution, treatment/counseling, and other conditions, asoutlined in Idaho’s sentencing rules.

Misdemeanor Court Process in Idaho

Where cases are heard. Idaho misdemeanors are usually handled in the magistrate division of the district court.

Typical sequence.

1. Arrest or citation. A misdemeanor case begins with an arrest by law enforcement or issuance of a uniform citation. After that, the defendant is booked and either released on bond or kept in jail. The original citation or affidavit of probable cause is sent to the court, and copies are sent to the prosecuting attorney. The prosecuting attorney can file a formal complaint, which is signed under oath, detailing the charges against the defendant. Once filed, the prosecutor might request that a summons be issued for a specific date for the defendant to appear.
2. First appearance/arraignment. The defendant must appear before the clerk or court on or before the appearance date to enter a plea. If jail time is a possibility and the defendant cannot afford a lawyer, the court can appoint one.
3. Pre-trial phase. Before the trial, the defendant, along with their attorney and the prosecutor, may meet with the judge to discuss the possibility of a plea agreement. If they reach a plea agreement, the defendant may be sentenced immediately, or a sentencing hearing may be scheduled for a later date. If they don’t reach an agreement, the case will proceed to trial.
4. Trial (jury or bench) or plea. If no agreement is made, the case goes to trial in the magistrate division.
5. Sentencing. After a plea or conviction, the judge sentences the offender within the legal limits. The judge may also order probation, restitution, or participation in specific programs.

Where time is served. In Idaho, misdemeanors typically result in imprisonment in a county jail.

Misdemeanor Records in Major Idaho Cities

Idaho has a single statewide portal where you can find most trial-court records, payments, and calendars.Below are three counties with large caseloads and how misdemeanor records typically work there:

• Boise (Ada County). The clerk’s online services page helps the public find hearings, make payments, and access case records.
• Idaho Falls (Bonneville County). This county connects residents directly toiCourt for court records and payments; the county’s court pages and the state self-help site also guide users to the iCourt Smart Search for looking up misdemeanor dockets.
• Coeur d’Alene (Kootenai County). County resources direct the public to iCourt for calendars, case details, and fine payments; local court-schedule pages emphasize that iCourt is the main access point for searching and paying.

In different counties, online dockets usually display case numbers, charges, events, outcomes, sentence terms, and financial balances. The clerk’s case file serves as the official record, and access is regulated by Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32.

How to Search for Misdemeanor Records in Idaho

You can search for misdemeanor records in Idaho by taking the following steps:

1. Use the statewide iCourt Portal. Go to iCourt and select Smart Search to look up a party name or case number. Most counties provide a link to this portal on their websites.
2. Filter to the right location. Utilize Advanced Filtering to specify by county, such as Ada, Bonneville, Kootenai, and by case type if necessary. County pages and self-help resources provide clarification on these options.
3. What you’ll see. Public registers of actions usually list charges, hearing dates, minute entries, outcomes, sentencing, and amounts owed.
4. If it’s not online. You can contact the clerk’s office for certified copies, older records, or notices about sealed cases. Many counties provide phone numbers and links for public records requests.

How Long Does a Misdemeanor Stay on Your Record in Idaho?

Idaho has minimal options for expunging adult conviction records. Currently, the state offers two main paths for relief, each serving different purposes:

Clean Slate “Shielding” (court records).The Clean Slate Act in Idaho allows qualified adults to petition the court to limit public access to one offense after at least five years have passed since completing all parts of their sentence. This does not erase the records. It just restricts public access to them.

BCI Expungement (criminal-history repository). In certain legally defined situations, theIdaho State Police (BCI) will handle an expungement of entries from the state criminal-history record if proof of eligibility is providedunder Idaho Code § 67-3004(10). This process differs from court-file visibility and requires documentation from the arresting agency or the court.

Without any relief, a misdemeanor conviction can stay visible in court indexes indefinitely. Idaho now provides Clean Slate shielding for a limited range of cases and BCI expungement in specific situations. However, both options require proactive measures and have eligibility restrictions. For advice tailored to your case, refer to the Clean Slate materials or consult an Idaho defense attorney.