Engage · Federal and state

How the courts work

Most people meet the courts through a traffic ticket, a family matter, a small claim or jury duty. Here is how Idaho's courts and the federal courts are set up, side by side.

Idaho's state courts

Idaho has one unified court system, run by the Idaho Supreme Court, with a courthouse in every county. Almost every case starts in a district court.

Magistrate division. Part of the district court, and where most people end up. Magistrate judges handle traffic tickets and infractions, misdemeanors, the first hearings in felony cases, small claims, civil cases up to $10,000, evictions, divorce and custody, juvenile cases, probate and guardianships.
District judges. They hear felony trials, civil cases over $10,000 and appeals from the magistrate division. The state is divided into seven judicial districts.
Court of Appeals. Four judges, sitting in panels of three, hear appeals the Supreme Court assigns to them. They review the record. There are no new trials or witnesses.
Supreme Court. Five justices. It is the last word on Idaho law, and it also writes the court rules and oversees lawyers.

How Idaho's judges get there

Justices, appeals judges and district judges are elected without party labels, on the May ballot. Supreme Court and Court of Appeals terms are six years and district judges' terms are four.
In practice most are first appointed. When a judge leaves mid-term, the Governor appoints a replacement from a list of nominees, and that judge then stands for election.
Magistrate judges are appointed by a commission in each judicial district and then face a yes-or-no retention vote.

The federal courts

U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho. The trial court for federal crimes, cases under federal law or the U.S. Constitution, bankruptcy, and some disputes between people from different states.
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Hears appeals from Idaho and eight other western states.
U.S. Supreme Court. Takes a small share of the cases it is asked to hear.

Federal judges are nominated by the President, confirmed by the Senate and serve for life.

Tribal courts

Idaho's five federally recognized tribes, the Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai, Nez Perce, Shoshone-Bannock and Shoshone-Paiute, are sovereign governments with their own courts and laws.

Where you fit in

Watch. Court hearings are open to the public, with narrow exceptions such as juvenile cases.
Look up a case. Idaho's iCourt Portal has public case records from every county.
Get help without a lawyer. The Court Assistance Office provides forms and guidance for people representing themselves, with an office in most courthouses.
Serve on a jury. Names are drawn from voter registration and driver's license lists. Employers can't fire you for serving.
Vote. Judges are on your ballot. Contested races are rare, which makes the ones that happen matter more.

Sources

Last reviewed November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the linked sources before you rely on a deadline.