Share

Idaho

Overview

  • Idaho’s trial courts are funded through a mix of state and local funding.  The state general fund pays for judges, trial court administrators, court reporters, and travel expenses.  Dedicated funds support statewide district court programs:  drug courts, mental health courts, family court services, court assistance offices, and automation. 
  • Idaho’s appropriation was increased from $43.2 million in FY11 to $48.3 million in FY12.  Their FY12 budget includes $4.8 million for substance abuse treatment for problem solving courts.  This shift of funding from the executive branch to the Supreme Court accounts for the majority of the budget increase from FY11 to FY12.
  • The Idaho Legislature passed an emergency surcharge bill to increase infractions $10, misdemeanors $50 and felonies $100, effective FY2011 for three years to be used for problem solving courts, technology programs and equipment, and other court services.
  • The Idaho courts will be able to maintain the same number of judges and will be able to increase the number of staff positions and the amount spent on operating costs.
  • To reduce spending, the Idaho courts have delayed filling judicial vacancies and delayed filling vacancies in judicial support positions.  Judge and staff salaries have been frozen and staff have been furloughed.  During FY2012, Idaho will have 4 vacant magistrate judge positions; senior judges are filling in the gaps.  In addition, they have consolidated the State Law Library with the University of Idaho Law School.
  • As a result of these steps, a workforce reduced by 16% is making extraordinary efforts to minimize the impact to the citizens of Idaho. In addition, the Snake River Basin Adjudication budget has been trimmed, Court Assistance Office services have slowed, website enhancements for the public have been delayed, and Guardian ad Litem budgets have been cut.
  • Technology initiatives include e-citations and e-payment of fees and fines.  Videoconferencing of hearings has reduced travel costs.  Idaho is planning an e-filing and electronic document information management system.  Introduction of these technologies in FY2011 and beyond will begin to offset some of the budget and service reductions imposed as a result of these difficult financial times.
  • The Idaho courts implemented a tax intercept process.  In the last two years, they have collected past due court fines and fees on 33,379 cases for more than $5.6 million.        
  • Idaho is in the preliminary development of a court re-engineering project called Advancing Justice, which will include new and enhanced caseflow programs. Idaho continues to move forward with Drug and Mental Health Courts, Family Courts, Domestic Violence Courts, Child Protection Courts, and Misdemeanor Probation, all in an effort of assessing and implementing best practices.
  • As of the beginning of FY2012, Idaho courts are in a better position than a year ago.  The Court has begun the process of hiring for positions that have been vacant for almost three years. The Court will continue to re-institute operational reductions as revenues allow. In addition, a complete computer, server, and printer equipment rollout was completed in FY2011, a huge help in their continued effort to provide access and timely justice to Idaho’s citizens.

Reports and Articles

Gavel to Gavel

  • Database. Search the Gavel to Gavel legislation database based on state, year, legislation category, or any combination.