Idaho Supreme Court

From Judgepedia

The Idaho Supreme Court includes five justices. They are elected by voters in non-partisan statewide elections, and serve six-year terms. When a vacancy on the court occurs between elections, it is filled by a gubernatorial appointment based on recommendations from a nominating commission. The court's principal location is in Boise, Idaho, but the justices also hold court in Coeur d'Alene, Moscow, Lewiston, Pocatello, Rexburg, Idaho Falls, Caldwell and Twin Falls.^[1]

The Supreme Court hears appeals from District Courts and from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission and the Industrial Commission.

Jurisdiction

The Supreme Court of Idaho is the State's court of last resort. The Court hears appeals from final decisions of the district courts, as well as from orders of the Public Utilities Commission and the Industrial Accident Commission. It has original jurisdiction to hear claims against the state and to issue writs of review, mandamus, prohibition, and habeas corpus, and all writs necessary for complete exercise of its appellate jurisdiction. The Court may also review decisions of the Court of Appeals upon petition of the parties or its own motion. For the convenience of litigants, the Idaho Supreme Court is one of the few "circuit riding" supreme courts in the country, and holds terms of court in Boise, Coeur d'Alene, Moscow, Lewiston, Pocatello, Rexburg, Idaho Falls, Caldwell and Twin Falls.^[2]

Case load

As of January 1, 2007, the caseload for the Idaho Supreme Court was 1,177.^[3]

The court's justices

Selection of justices

The Justices of the Supreme Court are on a non-partisan ballot, for six year terms. A candidate for Justice must be a "qualified elector and a duly qualified attorney-at-law." The Chief Justice is selected by a majority of the members of the court, and he serves a four year term. The Chief Justice has the responsibility of presiding over the Court activities.^[4] Since 1950, 68% of Idaho Supreme Court justices initially reached the bench through appointment rather than election.^[5]

Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for serving as a justice of the Idaho Supreme Court are that the person is at least 30 years old, must be a United States citizen, must have been a resident of Idaho for no less than two years, and must have practiced law in Idaho for at least 10 years.

Idaho judges may be removed in one of two ways:

• The Idaho Judicial Council investigates complaints against Idaho judges and may recommend to the supreme court the discipline, removal, or retirement of judges. The supreme court may review the recommendation of the judicial council and take additional evidence. The court may then reject the recommendation of the judicial council, or order discipline, removal, or retirement of the judge.
• Judges may be impeached by a majority vote of the house of representatives and convicted by a two-thirds vote of the senate."^[6]

Current justices

Chief justice

Daniel Eismann is the Chief Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court. The chief justice of the court is chosen by a vote of his or her peers, and serves in the role for a four-year term.

History of the court

Idaho was made a territory in 1860. The first justices of the Territorial Supreme Court were appointed by Abraham Lincoln. When Idaho became a state in 1890, the constitution provided for three justices. In 1919, the number was increased to five. That is the present size of the Court.

External links

• Idaho Supreme Court Official Site
• Idaho Judicial Council
• Report of cases argued in the Idaho Supreme Court
• List of all Idaho judges

References

The Idaho Project on Judgepedia

Supreme Court Court of Appeals

Federal district for Idaho Federal court of appeal