How Idaho DUI courts are organised
A DUI charge in Idaho is prosecuted in the Magistrate Division of the District Court that serves the county or municipality where the stop happened, not where you live. The clerk's office in that courthouse controls your hearing dates, accepts motions and continuances, and takes payment of fines and court costs. Calendars, filing hours and remote-appearance rules differ from courthouse to courthouse, so confirm them with the clerk before your first date.
Idaho's magistrate division of the district court handles misdemeanor DUI, a first or second offense, while a district judge tries felony DUI — a third offense within ten years, or DUI causing injury or death. Appeals from a magistrate DUI decision go to the district court, and from there to the Idaho Court of Appeals or Supreme Court.
The state judiciary publishes the authoritative directory of courthouses, judges and calendars at isc.idaho.gov. Use it to confirm the address and division for your case number; local listings age quickly.
Courthouse locations, hearing calendars, clerk contacts and self-help forms.
The separate licence action, which the criminal court does not decide.
What happens at each stage in Idaho
A DUI case in Idaho is heard in the Magistrate Division of the District Court, and it runs on two tracks at once: the criminal case and a separate licence action you must challenge within 7 days of arrest.
- 1Arrest, booking and the chemical test — Officers arrest for DUI under Idaho Code § 18-8004 and request a breath, blood or urine test under Idaho's implied-consent section, Idaho Code § 18-8002. Refusing carries its own licence penalty, separate from the criminal charge.
- 2Licence action — request a hearing within 7 days — The ALS is a civil suspension imposed for failing or refusing a blood, breath or urine test after a DUI arrest. You have 7 days from arrest to demand the administrative hearing with Idaho Transportation Department, Division of Motor Vehicles; miss it and the suspension takes effect automatically, whatever happens in court.
- 3Arraignment in the Magistrate Division of the District Court — The charge is read, a plea is entered and conditions of release are set in the Magistrate Division of the District Court. Idaho's magistrate division of the district court handles misdemeanor DUI, a first or second offense, while a district judge tries felony DUI — a third offense within ten years, or DUI causing injury or death.
- 4Pretrial motions and discovery — Defence counsel obtains the police report, test records and calibration or maintenance logs, and may move to suppress the stop or the test result. Idaho courts file through the statewide iCourt system.
- 5Plea or trial, then sentencing — A first DUI conviction carries a fine of up to $1,000, jail exposure up to 6 months, a licence suspension of 6 months. Prior offenses within 10 years push the case into the enhanced-penalty range. A first offense is a misdemeanor with possible jail and a licence suspension.
- 6Reinstatement — A first ALS carries a 90-day suspension: 30 days absolute, then 60 days during which a restricted permit is possible. Idaho requires a SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility for 3 years before the licence is restored.
Filing and case handling in Idaho
- Idaho courts file through the statewide iCourt system.
- The Administrative Licence Suspension is a civil action separate from the criminal DUI case.
- The Idaho Transportation Department administers suspensions triggered by failing or refusing a chemical test.
- A Restricted Driving Permit (form ITD 3227) allows limited driving during part of a suspension.
Whatever the local practice, take your citation or case number to every call — clerks index by case, not by name — and get the payable amount for fines and court costs in writing before you pay.
Idaho ZIP codes covered
These Idaho ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.
Counties and cities using these Idaho resources
Counties
Other Idaho official resources
Frequently asked questions
- Which court handles a first DUI charge in Idaho?
- First-offense DUI cases in Idaho are heard in the Magistrate Division of the District Court for the county where the stop happened. The court clerk's office there sets the arraignment date and accepts filings.
- Does the court case decide whether I keep my licence in Idaho?
- No. The criminal case and the administrative licence action run separately. The licence action is handled by the ID driver-licensing agency, and the request for a hearing is due within 7 days of arrest.