Owyhee 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 Idaho District Court is the state's unified trial court, and the Owyhee County magistrate division hears misdemeanors, infractions, small claims, and most family and probate matters. The Clerk of the District Court keeps the county's court records.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Idaho District Court, Owyhee County magistrate division |
| Main Address | PO Box 128, Murphy, ID 83650 |
| Main Phone | (208) 495-2421 |
| Website | Idaho Judiciary: isc.idaho.gov |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 (Murphy) |
| 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); parking tickets (citing agency) |
| Online Case Search | mycourts.idaho.gov |
| Criminal Records Requests | Clerk of the District Court, (208) 495-2421 |
How to Search Owyhee County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and the approximate dates ready before you search.
Online
Go to mycourts.idaho.gov and search by name or case number.
Review case information, which may not include every document.
Best for: Quick lookups of case status
In Person
Go to PO Box 128, Murphy, ID 83650.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the Clerk of the District Court for records not available online.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Phone
Call (208) 495-2421 to reach the Clerk of the District Court.
Ask what the clerk needs to locate your case.
Have the case number and party names ready when you call.
Best for: Checking a case with clerk staff
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
Owyhee County Court Statistics (FY 2024)
Owyhee County courts handled an estimated 968 new cases in FY 2024 and disposed of an estimated 943. The estimate scales Idaho statewide totals by the county's share of state population.
~968
Total filings in FY 2024
~943
Total dispositions in FY 2024
~968
Filings per judicial position (1 estimated positions)
~+2.7%
Change in total filings vs FY 2023
| Metric | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~968 | ~943 | ~+2.7% |
| Total Dispositions | ~943 | ~923 | ~+2.2% |
| Criminal Filings | ~624 | ~605 | ~+3.1% |
| Civil Filings | ~191 | ~185 | ~+3.2% |
| Family Law Filings | ~61 | ~59 | ~+3.4% |
| Probate Filings | ~35 | ~34 | ~+2.9% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~16 | ~15 | ~+6.7% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~25 | ~24 | ~+4.2% |
| 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 Owyhee County's 0.64% share of the state population.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Owyhee County?
Estimated total filings in Owyhee 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 | ~968 | ~943 | ~+2.7% |
| FY 2023 | ~943 | ~923 | ~+3.5% |
| FY 2022 | ~911 | ~898 | ~+2.9% |
| FY 2021 | ~885 | ~860 | ~+3.8% |
| FY 2020 | ~853 | ~815 | ~+3.8% |
Estimated filings changed +13.5% between FY 2020 and FY 2024, from 853 to 968. The largest annual change was +3.8% in FY 2021. The latest change of +2.7% reflects statewide Idaho trends. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Idaho statewide figures scaled by Owyhee County's 0.64% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Owyhee County?
Criminal cases are estimated to be the largest category in Owyhee County, at about 64.5% of filings in FY 2024.
| Case Type | Filings FY 2024 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | ~624 | ~64.5% | ~+3.1% |
| Civil | ~191 | ~19.7% | ~+3.2% |
| Family law | ~61 | ~6.3% | ~+3.4% |
| Probate | ~35 | ~3.6% | ~+2.9% |
| Juvenile | ~25 | ~2.6% | ~+4.2% |
| Mental health | ~16 | ~1.7% | ~+6.7% |
Mental health cases are estimated as the fastest-growing category and probate cases as the fastest-falling. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Idaho statewide figures scaled by Owyhee County's 0.64% share of the state population.
How Does Owyhee County Compare With Idaho Overall?
Owyhee County is estimated to account for about 0.64% of the 152,000 cases filed in Idaho courts in FY 2024.
| Metric | Owyhee County | Idaho | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~968 | 152,000 | ~0.64% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~+2.7% | +2.7% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~968 | 987 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~943 | 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 Owyhee County's 0.64% share of the state population.
Owyhee County Crime Statistics (2024)
These figures are Idaho statewide totals of violent and property crimes reported to the FBI by Idaho law enforcement agencies. County-level counts are not published as downloads, so no Owyhee County figures are shown.
4,722
Violent crimes, Idaho statewide, 2024
15,134
Property crimes, Idaho statewide, 2024
235.9
Idaho statewide violent crime rate per 100K, 2024
-6.5%
Change in total reported crimes, Idaho statewide, 2024 vs 2023
| Offense | 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% |
Rates use the 2024 Idaho population of 2,001,619 and apply to Idaho statewide totals only.
Owyhee County Courthouse Locations
Owyhee County has 1 courthouse location, in Murphy. Check your notice or ticket for the courtroom before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Main Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Owyhee County Courthouse | PO Box 128, Murphy, ID 83650 | (208) 495-2421 |
For the full county courthouse directory, see Idaho Supreme Court County Courthouse Directory.
Which Court Handles Your Case in Owyhee County?
Idaho's trial court is the District Court, with a magistrate division in every county, including Owyhee County. Matters handled outside the court are flagged below.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Magistrate division (Owyhee County) | Infractions are heard in the magistrate division; check your ticket for the court date. |
| Parking ticket | The citing agency | Parking tickets are not handled by the court. |
| Misdemeanor | Magistrate division (Owyhee County) | Magistrates hear misdemeanor cases. |
| Felony | Magistrate division, then district judge | Magistrates handle initial felony proceedings, and district judges hear felonies. |
| Civil lawsuit | Magistrate division or district judge | District judges hear larger civil cases. |
| Small claims | Magistrate division (Owyhee County) | Magistrates handle small claims. |
| Divorce | Magistrate division (Owyhee County) | Magistrates handle most family matters. |
| Child custody or support | Magistrate division (Owyhee County) | Magistrates handle most family matters; call the clerk to confirm. |
| Probate or estate | Magistrate division (Owyhee County) | Magistrates handle most probate matters. |
| Appeal | Idaho Court of Appeals or Idaho Supreme Court | Appeals go to Idaho's appellate courts, not the county court. |
| Federal case | U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho | Federal cases are not heard in state court. |
Are Owyhee County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Owyhee County court records are open to the public, with exceptions set by Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32.
Public records
Court records are presumptively open to the public under Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32, and the Idaho Public Records Act governs general access to public records.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, adoption, child protection, and certain family records are restricted.
Online access
Search case information at mycourts.idaho.gov. Online results may not include every document, and restricted records are not available.
In-person access
Visit the Clerk of the District Court at PO Box 128, Murphy, ID 83650, or call (208) 495-2421 to confirm which records are available.
Fees
No fees are listed here. Ask the clerk which fees apply to the records you request.
How to Search Owyhee County Court Records Online
Use mycourts.idaho.gov to search Owyhee County cases online, and ask the Clerk of the District Court for documents that are not posted.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Open mycourts.idaho.gov and choose the search for court records.
- Search by name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case details, including status and scheduled dates.
- Call the Clerk of the District Court at (208) 495-2421 to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | mycourts.idaho.gov | Case information and docket details | Not every document is posted online |
| Traffic | mycourts.idaho.gov | Case information and docket details | Confirm payment steps with the clerk |
| Civil | mycourts.idaho.gov | Case information and docket details | Restricted records are not shown |
| Small claims | mycourts.idaho.gov | Case information and docket details | Not every document is posted online |
| Family law | mycourts.idaho.gov | Case information for non-restricted matters | Confidential details are restricted |
| Probate | Clerk of the District Court, (208) 495-2421 | Confirm what the clerk can provide | Confirm with the clerk whether files are online |
| Juvenile | Clerk of the District Court, (208) 495-2421 | Information available through the clerk only | Juvenile records are restricted |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Owyhee County
Contact the Clerk of the District Court for Owyhee County to pay traffic citations, criminal fines, or other court costs.
- Phone: Call (208) 495-2421 to ask which payment methods the clerk accepts for your case.
- In person: Visit the Clerk of the District Court at PO Box 128, Murphy, ID 83650 to pay or ask about your case.
- Payment plans: Ask the clerk whether a payment plan or ability-to-pay option applies to your case.
Parking tickets are handled by the citing agency, not the court, so pay them to that agency.
Owyhee County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Idaho court records for Owyhee County?
Use mycourts.idaho.gov to search by name or case number, or call the Clerk of the District Court at (208) 495-2421.
Are Owyhee County court records public?
Most are presumptively open under Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32, but juvenile, sealed, adoption, 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) 495-2421 with the defendant's name.
How do I find a court date?
Check your ticket or notice first, or call the Clerk of the District Court at (208) 495-2421.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Call the Clerk of the District Court at (208) 495-2421 to ask which payment methods apply; parking tickets go to the citing agency.
How many cases are filed each year?
The Idaho Judiciary reported about 58,500 criminal cases in FY 2025 statewide and roughly 93,000 civil filings; county filing counts are not published as downloads.
What is the most common type of case?
Statewide, civil filings (roughly 93,000) and criminal cases (about 58,500 in FY 2025) are the reported categories; county breakdowns are not available.
Is crime in Idaho rising or falling?
Statewide, reported violent crimes fell from 4,772 in 2023 to 4,722 in 2024, and total reported crimes fell 6.5 percent, per FBI data.
Courts in the County
Owyhee County Idaho CourthouseMore Info
| Address: | 20381 State Hwy. 78, Murphy, ID, 83650 |
| Phone Number: | 208-495-2806 |
| Fax: | 208-495-1226 |
| Website: | http://owyheecounty.net/departments/courts/ |
Useful Links
- Owyhee County - County Clerk: Audit Department - Offers access to audit reports, financial records, and tax information for Owyhee County.
- Owyhee County Clerk's Office | Welcome to the Owyhee County Clerk's Office - Provides a variety of public records including marriage licenses, court documents, and election information.
- Records and Facts | Office of the State Controller - Comprehensive resource for accessing public records and financial transparency reports in Idaho.
- Owyhee County | Courthouse / District Court - Find court schedules, contact information, and resources for district court services in Owyhee County.
- County Profiles of Idaho - Owyhee County - Offers demographic, economical and public service information in Idaho's counties including Owyhee.
- Criminal Court Forms | Supreme Court - Access various forms required for criminal court proceedings in Idaho's legal system.
- Idaho Legal Aid Services - A non-profit organization offering free legal assistance and resources to low-income residents in Idaho.
- State of Idaho Judicial Branch - Official site providing an overview of the judicial branch in Idaho, court decisions, and judicial resources.
- Idaho Office of Information Practices - Handles requests for public records while ensuring transparency in the state administration.
- Owyhee County - County Assessor - Provides property assessment information and documentation services related to property in Owyhee County.
- Idaho County Services | Courts - Useful resources and information for navigating court services across various counties in Idaho.
- Owyhee County - Prosecutor's Office - Information on criminal proceedings, victim services, and legal responsibilities handled by the prosecutor’s office.
- Court Records and Documents | Northwest Interlibrary Network - Offers access to a range of court-related documents and resources for research purposes.
- iCourt Portal - Online Records Search - Explore public court documents, dockets, and case details using Idaho's online records search system.
- Owyhee County - Public Defender Services - Read about legal representation offered to defendants who are unable to afford private counsel.
- State Court Statistics | National Information Trends - Visit this comprehensive statistical database for insights on court performance and caseload in Idaho.
- Owyhee County Elections - Provides election results, voter registration information, and updates for residents in Owyhee County.
- National Center for State Courts - Gain insights into best practices, reforms, and innovations for judicial systems across the United States.
- Idaho Court Assistance Office and Self-Help Center - Browse self-help resources, legal forms, and court information to navigate Idaho's judicial system independently.
- Tribal Judicial Systems - Learn about tribal judicial services and dispute resolution options within Idaho.
Table of Contents
- Owyhee County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Owyhee County Court Records
- Owyhee County Court Statistics (FY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Owyhee County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Owyhee County?
- How Does Owyhee County Compare With Idaho Overall?
- Owyhee County Crime Statistics (2024)
- Owyhee County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Owyhee County?
- Are Owyhee County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Owyhee County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Owyhee County
- Owyhee County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links