The purpose of this guide is to inform journalists about resources available through the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. The Ada County Prosecutor’s Office philosophy is to be as transparent about matters as we can be. That said, prosecutors must also follow all laws, court orders, and the Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct related to the release of information in civil and criminal cases. These rules and laws often limit the amount, type, and timing of information we can release to the public. As one example, prosecutors cannot make extrajudicial statements about a case that will be shared to the public, and will have a prejudicial impact on the case or heighten condemnation of the accused.
To receive Ada County Prosecutor’s Press Releases:
Ada County Prosecutor’s press releases are posted online at the office’s blog and shared to social media.
Who to call?
The Ada County Prosecutor’s Office Public Information Officer manages media inquiries, public outreach and assists in community relations for the office.
To contact the office’s PIO call 208-287-7700 or email [email protected] and ask for Emily Lowe.
Media requests are answered as quickly as possible during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday.
The Ada County Prosecutor’s Office is on Facebook. Follow for case updates and other relevant information.
What information is available after first criminal court appearance?
- date of incident
- defendant’s name and age
- charge(s) against defendant
- next scheduled court appearances
- amount bond is set at
What information may be available?
- What happened in a particular court hearing if the hearing was not sealed by the court.
- You can request or listen to audio of a hearing on the 4th floor of the Courthouse in the Transcriptions Department.
- Booking photos are available on the Ada County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report.
What information is not available?
- Identity or address of victims
- Identity or address of witnesses
- Medical conditions of defendants or victims
- Information held in sealed court documents
- Information not permitted to be released by the law or rules
- Information that may interfere with an ongoing investigation or apprehension of suspect
- Evidence that may adversely affect a court proceeding
- Status of persons turned over to the custody of Health and Welfare, such as mental holds or child protection cases.
JUVENILE CRIMINAL CASE INFORMATION
Under Idaho Administrative Rule 32 (g)(9)(C) juvenile court records of proceedings after 2017 are sealed from the public.
Idaho code 20-509 lists offenses a juvenile above the age of 14 could be charged with that automatically waive the juvenile to district court to be tried as an adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are bound by the rules and laws which apply to all attorneys, and we also have heightened expectations due to our role as prosecutors. Idaho Rules of Professional Responsibility 3.6 limits the amount, type, and timing of information we can release to the public, and is often why we will not be able to comment on pending litigation. You can find Rule 3.6 as well as Rule 3.8, regarding the special responsibilities of a prosecutor in the Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct handbook.
Next court appearances and court dates can be searched on Idaho’s online court repository.
The criminal and civil court calendars are shared online daily at Court Calendar on the Fourth District Court’s webpage.
Contacting the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office public information officer is the best way to request and schedule interviews with prosecutor staff.
To make a record request for court documents, please submit your request to the Ada County Clerk’s Office online form.
Our office handles all felony cases in Ada County and all misdemeanor cases except for misdemeanors that occur in Boise or Meridian Cities. The Boise City Attorney’s Office handles misdemeanors from Boise and Meridian Cities.
Boise City Attorney’s Office contact information 208-608-7950 or by email.
Felony Case Flowchart
