Idaho Courts

The Kootenai County Veterans Treatment Court is looking for mentors. Idaho’s treatment courts help individuals with substance use or mental health issues achieve stability and find recovery while preserving accountability through the justice system. A key component of a successful veterans court involves pairing each treatment court participant with a trained veteran mentor with similar experience in military service. Mentors are veterans of the U.S. armed forces who volunteer their time to assist the court. Mentors provide advice, personal experiences, recommendations, and guidance to veteran participants. The mentor is present as an ally and friend and is there to assist the veteran through successful completion of the treatment court program. Anyone interested in learning more should contact the treatment court coordinator: https://lnkd.in/eEMaxwEq

The Idaho Supreme Court today announced it is seeking information on options for electronic case management systems for courts. The Court’s formal Request for Information (RFI) is available to read at https://lnkd.in/gTk8E862 The case management system is the electronic repository of all case information and filings in Idaho’s state courts. Idaho’s Judicial Branch began using its current case management system nearly 10 years ago, adopting it as part of a transition from paper court records to a digital system. Today’s RFI will help the Court understand how the market has changed in those 10 years. There are no plans right now to replace Idaho’s case management system, but this process will allow the Court to study what options have developed should it wish to consider a change. The potential of that market is currently unclear. “No options or alternative systems of case management have been formally researched in at least 10 years,” the RFI states. “… What other solutions exist, and where have they been successfully implemented?” The RFI seeks details of other case management systems besides the one Idaho currently relies on – how those systems handle new case filings, assign and track cases, and many other questions. This research will help the Court ensure it is making the best and most efficient use of public funds in its role overseeing Idaho’s statewide court system.

The Idaho Supreme Court will hold its annual Memorial Service at 10 a.m. MT on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the Supreme Court building in Boise. The Memorial Service honors judges and members of the Idaho State Bar who recently passed away. Remarks will be delivered in memory of those honored and several memorial resolutions will be read. The service will take place in the Idaho Supreme Court courtroom and will be streamed online through Idaho In Session.? Information about this year’s service — including the names of those who will be honored, and?the memorial program and book once they are available — can be found at https://lnkd.in/evgN6Uvs. A recording will be published on that same page after the service concludes. Forty judges and attorneys will be remembered at this year's ceremony. The Court invites their family and friends to view the memorial service over the livestream: https://lnkd.in/gFvrq3R (Photo: A school choir performs at a previous memorial service.)

Judge Barry McHugh was recently selected as administrative district judge for Idaho’s First Judicial District. Judge McHugh’s leadership role became effective on Jan. 1. He succeeds Judge Lamont Berecz, who is now deputy administrative district judge. Both jobs involve additional duties for the judge beyond the hearing of cases. An administrative district judge manages court operations, assigns judges to cases and sets local processes through administrative orders. Aided by a trial court administrator and other staff, they ensure courts are running smoothly across their district. Per Idaho law and court rule, the administrative judge is selected from among the district judges currently serving in a judicial district, picked by a vote of those judges. Judge McHugh has spent a long career in north Idaho, primarily as a prosecutor at the county, state and federal levels. He also spent time in private practice focused on civil litigation and criminal defense. In 2022, voters elected him as a district judge with chambers in Kootenai County, and he was sworn in as a judge in January 2023. The First Judicial District includes Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties. Judge McHugh’s term as administrative district judge will last through the end of 2028.

Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan urged lawmakers on Wednesday to help stem challenges in recruiting and keeping judges in Idaho’s state courts, by changing how those judges are compensated for their work. “Experienced judges are leaving office early. Experienced attorneys are less interested in replacing them,” Chief Justice Bevan said during his annual State of the Judiciary address. The full speech is available to read here: https://lnkd.in/gGeKBwNi Video of the speech will be posted with the Judicial Branch's annual report: https://lnkd.in/gzRfq6rN The chief justice used this year’s speech to continue his call for more fair pay for judges and an independent committee to advise on future salary increases. The Idaho Supreme Court proposes increasing judicial salaries to around $200,000 annually for trial court judges. “To be clear, this will not place Idaho at the top of the pay scale, but it will make judicial service more attractive to qualified candidates and encourage current judges to stay on the bench,” he said. And that, Chief Justice Bevan said, will ensure Idahoans continue to be served by a high-quality judiciary. “We understand the importance of being good stewards,” he told legislators. “… When we bring you matters involving funding, we make sure they are meaningful — things we simply cannot do otherwise. Fair and competitive compensation is one of those matters.”

Lisa Chesebro, a longtime attorney with experience across north Idaho, will become the next trial court administrator for the First Judicial District starting Friday, Jan. 24. A trial court administrator keeps local courts running smoothly. They help manage court operations and implement court programs across each of Idaho’s seven judicial districts. The First Judicial District includes Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties. A resident of Shoshone County, Chesebro said she now wants to help improve the court experience in the Panhandle. “Practicing in places as different as Coeur d’Alene and Wallace, I see the needs and strengths across our courts,” Chesebro said. “The public relies on the Judicial Branch for so many important matters. I am excited for the chance to help them better understand and better access our services.” Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g3A_KJQy

Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan will deliver his annual State of the Judiciary address on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at the Idaho Capitol. The yearly speech to both chambers of the Idaho Legislature discusses the work of the courts and matters important to maintaining this state’s fair, timely and impartial court system. Chief Justice Bevan will first address the Idaho Senate around 10:40 a.m. MT or shortly after. He will then give the same speech to the Idaho House. The address will be streamed live through Idaho In Session and broadcast on Idaho Public Television’s over-the-air channels for legislative coverage. A copy of the speech will be posted later at isc.idaho.gov.

Idaho's Judicial Branch is remembering retired Sixth District Judge Peter D. McDermott, who passed away Thursday morning, Jan. 9, at home with his partner Diane Bilyeu by his side. He was 85. Judge McDermott spent his career serving eastern Idaho in the law. He graduated from Pocatello High School, received a bachelor's degree from Idaho State University and a law degree from the University of Idaho. He spent more than four decades as a district judge in Idaho's state courts, serving the Sixth District until his retirement in 2009. After retirement, he continued to serve as an appellate judge for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Court. "Judge McDermott had an impact not only on the many people who came through his courtroom, but on the judges and attorneys he mentored over his decades in Idaho's judiciary," said Judge Rick Carnaroli, administrative district judge for the Sixth Judicial District. "What set him apart is that he genuinely cared about all of the people in this community. He will be greatly missed." Funeral services will be handled by Wilks Colonial Chapel in Pocatello.

The Idaho Supreme Court has released its annual update on projects, programs and priorities of the Judicial Branch – a resource for anyone looking to learn more about Idaho’s state courts. The Court’s annual report at https://lnkd.in/gzRfq6rN provides information on how Idaho’s courts operate and on programs such as treatment courts and family court services. The website also describes the Court’s 2025 requests to the Idaho Legislature, which this year include significant changes to judicial compensation and separately, funding for new judges in three counties. The website also provides links to extensive data about the state courts. This includes a broad view of finances for local trial courts and a link to https://lnkd.in/gDbPzrYD, a site with statistics about cases filed in Idaho courts and fines and fees processed through the courts. The website will include a recording of Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan’s yearly address to the Legislature after that speech takes place later this month.

The Idaho Supreme Court will ask legislators this month for significant changes to how judges are compensated in this state. The proposals are intended to address challenges affecting the recruitment and retention of judges. The Supreme Court proposes creating an independent committee to advise on judicial salaries, patterned after the committee that decides salaries for the Idaho Legislature. While that committee takes shape, the Supreme Court proposes a set of salary increases - including to $201,000 annually for district judges and $193,000 annually for magistrate judges - that would make judicial service a more realistic option for experienced attorneys. Current judicial salaries in Idaho generally rank among the lowest in the nation. The map attached to this post shows current salaries for district judges in the states around Idaho. These proposals are the Supreme Court’s main request to the Idaho Legislature when it convenes this month. The Court will also ask for four new judgeships to address caseloads and relieve traveling judges in north, south-central and eastern Idaho. “The Supreme Court does not make these requests lightly,” said Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan. “Idaho’s courts use just a small slice of public spending and we find thoughtful ways to stretch public dollars. But to maintain our strong, independent judiciary, we must keep salaries competitive with what experienced attorneys and judges can earn elsewhere.” Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gnUXJbM9