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Your Ada County Prosecutor Jan M. Bennetts
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Criminal Division

Ada County Prosecutors in the Criminal Division work diligently in the pursuit of justice while protecting the community we serve. The Criminal Division prosecutes all felony cases that happen within Ada County and misdemeanor cases that occur within Ada County but outside the City of Boise or the City of Meridian, including violent and non-violent offenses. To accomplish this important work, the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office has organized the Criminal Division into focused divisions and specialized units.

The Magistrate Division prosecutes misdemeanor and infraction cases that occur within Ada County but outside the City of Boise or the City of Meridian.  Prosecutors work closely with law enforcement agencies such as the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the Idaho State Police, the Idaho Humane Society and Idaho Fish and Game in prosecuting offense that include alcohol/drug related driving offenses, battery/assault, possession of drugs and traffic violations.

In addition, the Magistrate Division has a specially trained domestic violence prosecutor to litigate and monitor cases assigned to the Ada County Domestic Violence Court.

Our Felony Criminal Division is a team of experienced deputy prosecutors who handle complex criminal cases and are also called upon to train law enforcement and other prosecutors throughout the state. Our felony deputy prosecutors are organized into teams and assigned the caseloads of two district court judges. Below is more information about our deputy prosecutors who focus on the prosecution of specific crimes.

The Felony Criminal Division works closely with all local law enforcement agencies, including the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the Boise Police Department, the Garden City Police Department, the Meridian City Police Department and the Idaho State Police, to prosecute felonies that occur within Ada County. Once law enforcement investigates a crime, the reports are sent to our office to review for charging decisions.

Child Abuse and Sexual Assault – The Ada County Prosecutor’s Office recognizes how devastating crimes against children can be  – both for the child and the community. To that end, the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office has dedicated deputy prosecutors who specialize in child abuse prosecution and sexual assault. In an effort to protect victims from further discomfort, these cases are handled by the same deputy prosecutor from a case’s inception to its conclusion.

Domestic Violence – The Ada County Prosecutor’s Office views domestic violence as a serious threat to the safety and welfare of our citizens. This office is committed not only to holding offenders accountable for their actions, but to providing victims with the services they need to begin the healing process. These deputy prosecutors are committed to addressing the problem of domestic violence in our community.

Narcotics – The Narcotics Supervisor is responsible for facilitating consistent handling of the prosecution of narcotics cases and is the point of contact for law enforcement agencies regarding narcotics investigations.

Child Protection – The Ada County Prosecutor’s Office facilitates all of the child protection cases wherein children are removed from their home by State authority because of ongoing abuse or neglect. This unit works with the Department of Health and Welfare, the medical community, CASA volunteers, and the Courts to protect children from further abuse or neglect whenever possible. Because of the sensitivity of these cases involving minors, hearings are closed to the public.

Investigators at the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office fulfill a unique roll within our local law enforcement community. As sworn law enforcement officers, they act as a second tier in the investigative process.

Upon the filing of a case, the assigned deputy prosecutor will work with investigators to conduct any further investigation needed such as locating and interviewing witnesses, serving subpoenas, preparing trial exhibits, crime scene photography, security, handling and packaging evidence, testifying.

The Ada County Prosecutor’s Office is staffed with victim-witness coordinators who are dedicated to assisting those affected by crime. Victim-witness coordinators provide services, support and education to victims of crime.

Victim services may include accompanying crime victims to court; notification of significant court events; referral to appropriate support services; help determining and requesting restitution and the return of property; providing information about the conviction, sentencing, imprisonment and release of an offender. The Victim-Witness Coordinator works closely with the assigned deputy prosecutor to ensure that a crime victim is kept apprised about any developments in the criminal case.

Specialty Courts

The Ada County Drug Court Program was established in February of 1999, funded in part by a two-year federal grant from the Office of Justice Programs. The Drug Court is a completely voluntary diversion program designed to emphasize treatment instead of incarceration. The program provides an opportunity for certain felony offenders to choose closely court monitored rehabilitation instead of penal disposition of their case.

Learn more at Ada County Drug Court.

The Ada County Veterans Treatment Court provides an opportunity for certain criminally involved veterans to receive treatment and support in the community rather than in a correctional facility.

Veterans Treatment Court is structured after the treatment court model and is a partnership between Ada County, the Court, the Prosecuting Attorney, the Public Defender, Treatment Professionals, the Veterans Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Corrections and Law Enforcement representatives.

Learn more at Ada County Veterans Treatment Court.

The Ada County Felony Mental Health Court strives to reduce recidivism of some severely and persistent mentally ill offenders in the criminal justice system and provide the community protection with a cost-effective, integrated continuum of care through the development and utilization of community resources.

To learn more about the program, who is eligible and how the court works, visit Ada County Mental Health Court.