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Arrest Records in Idaho

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Need more information? Check out our guides to Idaho background checks and Idaho public records.

 

With a population of 1.754 million, Idaho is the 40th most populated and the 44th most densely populated state. Boise is the state’s capital and largest city, with a growing population of around 236K. There are 44 counties in Idaho, with the largest by population being Ada County and the smallest being Clark County.

Idaho has very low levels of crime: its 2018 violent crime rate of 2.27 per 1,000 is about 61% of the national rate. The state’s most dangerous city is Garden City, which has a violent crime rate three times higher than the national rate. Idaho is around the middle in terms of arrests per capita, with the 23rd highest rate in the United States. 

Idaho Arrest and Crime Statistics

  • In 2018, there were 52,292 arrests in Idaho, as reported by 74 law enforcement agencies. Arrests of minors under the age of 18 accounted for 11.5% of these arrests, with 5,993 total. 
  • There were 1,542 arrests for violent crimes, including 90 for robbery, 162 for rape, and 16 for murder and nonnegligent manslaughter.
  • The leading identified cause of arrest was drug abuse violations, accounting for 8,777, followed by driving under the influence with 5,689 arrests, and ‘Other assaults’ with 4,559.
  • Drug abuse violations were also the leading cause of arrests for minors under the age of 18, resulting in 928 arrests. 
  • There are 4,791 registered adult sex offenders in Idaho, along with 77 juvenile sex offenders. 

Sources: FBI: 2018 Crime in the United States, Idaho Sex Offender Registry

 

What is a public arrest record?

An arrest record is a report produced by a law enforcement entity after the arrest or apprehension of an individual which contains the details of the incident, the individual’s personal information, and occasionally includes additional information about the individual’s criminal record.

An arrest record is often a key document in a criminal case and may play a significant role in an ensuing trial. The arrest record may remain in the public record for a long time regardless of whether the suspect is ultimately convicted of the crime(s) for which they were initially arrested. This means that it can be accessed by the general public.  

What is included in a public arrest record?

  • Description of the incident: An arrest record will include a chronological account of the alleged crime produced by the arresting officer that may utilize information provided by first-hand witnesses and/or victims of the alleged crime. 
  • Date and location of the arrest
  • Physical description: The height, weight, hair color, sex, and race of the arrested person, along with other distinguishing characteristics such as tattoos, scars, or birthmarks. 
  • Personal information: The name, age, date of birth, phone number, address, social security number, and other contact information of the arrested individual, as well as any other names the person may go by.
  • Photographs
  • Fingerprints
  • Criminal charges filed
  • Classification of the crime: Whether the alleged crime is a felony or a misdemeanor.
  • Bail
  • Court date
  • Police interrogation details

What are the types of charges that may appear on an arrest record?

Generally, charges are classified into three main categories:

  • Infraction – An infraction is a minor violation of the law that is regulated at the state level. Punishment for an infraction is typically a fine or a written warning, rather than a jail or prison sentence. Examples of infractions include minor traffic violations, public nuisance offenses, and littering. 
  • Misdemeanor – A misdemeanor is a crime that is more serious than an infraction, but less severe than a felony, and generally punishable by a term of imprisonment of less than a year, or a term of probation. An individual convicted of a misdemeanor is more likely to serve time in a county or local jail than a federal or state prison. Examples of misdemeanors include driving under the influence, most drug abuse violations, and petty theft.
  • Felony – A felony is the most serious type of crime and generally results in a term of imprisonment of more than one year in a state or federal prison. Having a felony on one’s record may result in limitations of employment and the acquisition of specialty licenses. Examples of felonies include rape, murder, and arson.  

Who can access arrest records?

As in most other states, arrest records (also known as arrest reports) are public records in Idaho and can be accessed by anyone upon request to a law enforcement agency, and may come up during a routine background check. 

Other examples of Idaho public records include:

  • vital records such as birth and death certificates
  • marriage licenses
  • mugshots
  • court records
  • voting records
  • property records 

Where are physical copies of arrest records kept in Idaho?

Arrest records are typically held by the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest, usually a local police department or county sheriff’s office. They also may be kept in the archive of a state government agency, or circuit court. In Idaho, the Idaho State Police, Bureau of Criminal Identification oversees the official state repository of criminal history information. 

Why can’t I access an arrest record in Idaho?

There are a number of reasons why you may not be able to access an arrest record. Although the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requires federal agencies to release arrest records and other public records, records that fall under certain exemptions can be withheld from the public.

The FOIA includes nine exemptions that allow agencies to withhold documents, such as arrest records, and not release them to the public. They are:

  1. The information is classified to protect natural security. 
  2. The information focuses on the internal rules and practices of the agency.
  3. Another federal law prohibits the release of the information.
  4. The information includes confidential trade secrets and/or commercial and financial information. 
  5. The information includes privileged, confidential communicative exchanges between two agencies. 
  6. The information could pose a danger to another person’s privacy if released.
  7. The information is reserved for law enforcement purposes in a court case or an investigation or could reveal a confidential source. 
  8. The information includes confidential information about financial institution supervision. 
  9. The information includes geographical information about wells.

Additionally, some state laws limit the availability of arrest records due to the fact that they are perceived as one-sided documents that do not include the arrested person’s account of the incident. 

What is the difference between an arrest record and a criminal record?

Compared to an arrest record, a criminal record is a more thorough document that details an individual’s entire criminal history, including arrest warrants, arrests, third party complaints, convictions, and even dropped cases. 

What is the difference between an arrest record and an arrest warrant?

An arrest warrant is a document issued by a judge or magistrate that grants law enforcement the authority to arrest an individual suspected of a crime or to search and seize the individual’s property, whereas an arrest record is a document of an arrest that is only created after an arrest or apprehension has already occurred.  

In order for a judge or magistrate to issue an arrest warrant, they must conclude that there is probable cause for an arrest. Probable cause must be backed by sworn testimony or an affidavit that provides sufficient information supporting the need for an arrest. An arrest warrant must also specify one individual that should be arrested, rather than a group of individuals or a rough description of a suspect. 

How many Americans have been arrested?

While crime has steadily dropped in the United States over the past several decades, arrests have gone up, particularly for younger age groups. Typically, law enforcement makes around 10 million arrests each year. Here are some key statistics on arrests in the United States:

  • In 2018, around 10.3 million arrests were made nationwide.
  • 73% of arrested persons in 2018 were males.
  • The more recent an American was born, the greater the likelihood that the individual has been arrested at least once. The following is the percentage of Americans in various age groups that have been arrested: 
    • 6.4% of Americans  born before 1949
    • 10.7% of Americans born between 1949 and 1958
    • 13.8% of Americans born between 1959 and 1968
    • 18.7% of Americans born between 1969 and 1978
    • 23% of Americans born between 1979-1988

Sources: Federal Bureau of Investigation, RAND Corporation

How to search for Arrest Records in Idaho

In Idaho, all state criminal history information is open to the public, and the criminal history information and arrest records of any individual are available upon request.  

The Idaho State Government does not have an online search tool for looking up criminal history information that is available to the public, but there are two ways of performing a criminal history background check in the state, either by mail or in-person at the Idaho State Police office: 

  1. Fingerprint background check 
  2. Name based background check 

Fingerprint background check

To complete a fingerprint background check, the following items are required:

  1. Completed Fingerprint Background Check Form
  2. Completed fingerprint card with fingerprints of the subject of the check (can be done at a local police department)
  3. $20 processing fee in the form of a check payable to “Idaho State Police” or with a credit or debit card by using the Credit Card Authorization Form included with the main form (requires an additional  $1 processing fee plus 3% of the total transaction)

Name based background check

To complete a name based background check, the following items are required:

  1. Completed Name Based Background Check Form 
  2. $20 processing fee in the form of a check payable to “Idaho State Police” or with a credit or debit card by using the Credit Card Authorization Form included with the main form (requires an additional  $1 processing fee plus 3% of the total transaction)

Completed forms and other required items and fees for both types of checks should be mailed or delivered in-person to:

Idaho State Police

700 S. Stratford Dr. Ste. 120

Meridian, ID 83642

If you have any questions regarding the check contact the Idaho State Police at (208) 884-7130

How can I search for an Idaho arrest record on the internet using a background check service?

Since tracking down physical copies of arrest records can prove challenging, searching for them online is a viable option. There is a wealth of online services that allow you to search and access Idaho arrest records and other public records via numerous government agency databases in exchange for a fee. 

However, despite the fact that users must pay to obtain an arrest record from an online service, it’s nevertheless a convenient means of getting these documents. The offices of government agencies are often marred by inconsistent service and take a long time to process requests to view documents. 

Sometimes it’s worth it to pay a fee to use an online background check service, rather than endure the extended delays typical of government offices. 

Idaho Courthouse and Sheriff Information by County

CountyCourthouseAddressPhoneSheriffAddressPhone
Ada CountyAda County Courthouse200 W Front St
Boise, ID 83702
208-287-6900Ada County Sheriff's Office7200 Barrister Dr
Boise, ID 83704
208-577-3000
Adams CountyAdams County Courthouse107 Michigan St
Council, ID 83612
Adams County Sheriff's Office201 Industrial Ave
Council, ID 83612
208-253-4227
Bannock CountyBannock County Courthouse624 E Center St
Pocatello, ID 83201
208-236-7077Bannock County Sheriff's Office5800 S 5th Ave
Pocatello, ID 83204
208-236-7123
Bear Lake CountyBear Lake County Civil Defense7 E Center St
Paris, ID 83261
208-945-2212Bear Lake County Sheriff30 N Main St
Paris, ID 83261
208-945-2121
Benewah CountyBenewah County Magistrates Court701 College Ave # 203
St Maries, ID 83861
Benewah County Sheriff701 College Ave # 301
St Maries, ID 83861
208-245-2555
Bingham CountyBingham County Courthouse501 N Maple St
Blackfoot, ID 83221
208-785-8040Bingham County Sheriff501 N Maple St # 405
Blackfoot, ID 83221
208-785-4440
Blaine CountyBlaine County District Court206 1st Ave S
Hailey, ID 83333
208-788-5521Blaine County Sheriff Office1650 Aviation Dr
Hailey, ID 83333
208-788-5555
Boise CountyBoise County Courthouse419 Main St
Idaho City, ID 83631
208-392-4452Boise County Sheriff3851 ID-21
Idaho City, ID 83631
208-392-4411
Bonner CountyBonner County Courthouse215 S 1st Ave
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208-265-1432Bonner County Sheriff's Department4001 N Boyer Ave
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208-263-8417
Bonneville CountyBonneville County Civil Court605 N Capital Ave
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
208-529-1350Bonneville County Sheriff's Office605 N Capital Ave
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
208-529-1200
Boundary CountyBoundary County District Court6452 Kootenai St # 22
Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
208-267-5504Boundary County Sheriff Department6438 Kootenai St
Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
208-267-3151
Butte CountyButte County Magistrate Court326 W Grand Ave
Arco, ID 83213
208-527-8259Butte County Sheriff's Office256 W Grand Ave
Arco, ID 83213
208-527-8553
Camas CountyCamas County Courthouse501 Soldier Rd
Fairfield, ID 83327
(208)764.2242Camas County Sheriff's Office119 W Willow St
Fairfield, ID 83327
208-764-2261
Canyon CountyCanyon County Courthouse1115 Albany St
Caldwell, ID 83605
208-454-7300Canyon County Sheriff-Records1115 Albany St
Caldwell, ID 83605
208-454-7488
Caribou CountyCaribou County Courthouse159 S Main St
Soda Springs, ID 83276
208-547-4324Caribou County Sheriff's Office475 E 2nd S
Soda Springs, ID 83276
208-547-2561
Cassia CountyCassia County Courts Judicial Center1559 Overland Ave
Burley, ID 83318
208-878-7351Cassia County Sheriffs Office129 E 14th St
Burley, ID 83318
208-878-2251
Clark CountyClark County District Court224 W Main St
Dubois, ID 83423
208-374-5402Clark County Sheriff224 Main St
Dubois, ID 83423
208-374-5403
Clearwater CountyClearwater County Court Clerk150 Michigan Ave # 2
Orofino, ID 83544
208-476-5596Clearwater County Sheriff's Office150 Michigan Ave
Orofino, ID 83544
208-476-4521
Custer CountyCuster County Courthouse801 Main St
Challis, ID 83226
208-879-2359Custer County Sheriff401 S Main Ave
Mackay, ID 83251
208-879-2232
Elmore CountyElmore County District Judge150 S 4th E St # 5
Mountain Home, ID 83647
208-587-2133Elmore County Sheriff2255 E 8th N
Mountain Home, ID 83647
208-587-2121
Franklin CountyFranklin County Court39 W Oneida St
Preston, ID 83263
208-852-1090Franklin County Civil Defense39 W Oneida St
Preston, ID 83263
208-852-1234
Fremont CountyFremont County Courthouse151 W 1st N
St Anthony, ID 83445
208-624-7401Fremont County Sheriff's Office146 N 2nd W
St Anthony, ID 83445
208-624-4482
Gem CountyGem County District Court415 E Main St #300
Emmett, ID 83617
208-365-4221Gem County Sheriff's Office415 E Main St
Emmett, ID 83617
208-365-3521
Gooding CountytGooding County Magistrate Ct624 Main St
Gooding, ID 83330
208-934-4261Gooding County Sheriff624 Main St
Gooding, ID 83330
208-934-4421
Idaho CountyIdaho County District Court320 W Main St #23
Grangeville, ID 83530
208-983-2776Idaho County Sheriff320 W Main St
Grangeville, ID 83530
208-983-1100
Jefferson CountyMagistrate and District Court210 Courthouse Way, Suite 120
Rigby, ID 83442
(208) 745-7736 or (208) 745-7737Jefferson County Sheriff200 Courthouse Way
Rigby, ID 83442
208-745-9210
Jerome CountyJerome County Courthouse300 N Lincoln Ave
Jerome, ID 83338
208-644-2600Jerome County Sheriff’s Office2151 S Tiger Dr
Jerome, ID 83338
208-595-3300
Kootenai CountyKootenai County District Court324 W Garden Ave
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
208-446-1170Kootenai County Sheriff's Office5500 N Government Way
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815
208-446-1300
Latah CountyLatah County Courthouse522 S Adams St
Moscow, ID 83843
Latah County Jail522 S Adams St
Moscow, ID 83843
208-882-2216
Lemhi CountyLemhi County Courthouse206 Courthouse Dr
Salmon, ID 83467
208-756-2815The Lemhi County Sheriff's Office206 Courthouse Dr
Salmon, ID 83467
208-756-8980
Lewis CountyLewis County District Court510 Oak St # 1
Nezperce, ID 83543
208-937-2251Lewis County Sheriff510 Oak St # 5
Nezperce, ID 83543
208-937-2447
Lincoln CountyLincoln County Magistrate111 W B St C
Shoshone, ID 83352
208-886-2173Lincoln County Sheriff111 W B St S
Shoshone, ID 83352
208-886-2250
Madison CountyMadison County Courthouse (Idaho)E Main St
Rexburg, ID 83440
(208) 359-6200Madison County Sheriff145 E Main St
Rexburg, ID 83440
208-356-5426
Minidoka CountyMinidoka County District Court711 G St
Rupert, ID 83350
208-436-7186Minidoka County Sheriff724 H St
Rupert, ID 83350
208-434-2320
Nez Perce CountyNez Perce County Courthouse1230 Main St
Lewiston, ID 83501
208-799-3040Nez Perce County Sheriff1150 Wall St
Lewiston, ID 83501
208-799-3130
Oneida CountyOneida County Courthouse10 E Court St
Malad City, ID 83252
208-766-4116Oneida County Sheriff10 E Court St
Malad City, ID 83252
208-766-2251
Owyhee CountyOwyhee County Court20381 ID-78
Murphy, ID 83650
208-495-2806Owyhee County Sheriff's Office20381 ID-78
Murphy, ID 83650
208-495-1154
Payette CountyPayette County Courthouse1130 3rd Ave. N.
Payette, ID. 83661
Payette County Sheriff1130 3rd Ave N #104
Payette, ID 83661
208-642-6000
Power CountyPower County Courthouse543 Bannock Ave
American Falls, ID 83211
(208) 226-7610Power County Sheriff550 Gifford Ave
American Falls, ID 83211
208-226-2319
Shoshone CountyShoshone County Courthouse700 Bank St
Wallace, ID 83873
208-752-1264Shoshone County Sheriff's Office717 Bank St
Wallace, ID 83873
208-556-1114
Teton CountyTeton County Magistrate Court150 Courthouse Dr
Driggs, ID 83422
208-354-2239Teton County Sheriff230 N Main St
Driggs, ID 83422
208-354-2323
Twin Falls CountyTwin Falls Court House427 Shoshone St N
Twin Falls, ID 83301
208-736-4000Twin Falls Sheriff's Office425 Shoshone St N
Twin Falls, ID 83301
208-736-4040
Valley CountyValley County Courthouse219 N Main St
Cascade, ID 83611
208-382-7100Valley County Sheriff107 W Spring St
Cascade, ID 83611
208-382-5160
Washington CountyWashington County District Crt256 E Court St
Weiser, ID 83672
208-414-1700Washington County Sheriff262 E Court St, Weiser, ID 83672208-414-2121

 

If you’re worried that someone you know or love has a criminal record and maybe hiding it from you, run a quick background check online with ArrestRecords.com. Thanks to public records laws, almost all Idaho arrests, criminal and civil records are available online, as well as comprehensive background checks and secret data. You can even find Idaho marriage records, secret divorce records as well as birth and death records.

Violent Crime rate 

Property Crime rate 

Murder Crime rate 

Forcible Rape rate 

Robbery rate 

Assault rate 

Burglary rate 

Theft rate 

Motor Vehicle Theft rate