Idaho Court Rules (2026)
Browse all 14 rule sets with 983 rules, each with plain-English summaries and committee notes. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules.
Idaho Court Rules & Rules of Practice
How this jurisdiction's courts and rules are organized, written for lawyers new to it: the court system, every ruleset a litigator touches, and how a case actually moves. Last verified September 24, 2026. For informational purposes only.
- Court System Overview
- The Ruleset Map
- Civil Litigation Mechanics
- Criminal Practice Mechanics
- Evidence
- Appellate Mechanics
- Rules of Professional Conduct
- Attorney Discipline & Enforcement
- Newcomer Orientation Notes
- Sources & Verification
Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure
The Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure govern civil actions in the district courts and the magistrates divisions, covering commencement of an action and service of process, pleadings and motions, parties, discovery and depositions, trial and juries, judgments and summary judgment, provisional and final remedies, and the special proceedings assigned to the district courts.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseIdaho Rules of Family Law Procedure
The Idaho Rules of Family Law Procedure govern divorce, custody, support, paternity and other family law actions, covering commencement and service, mandatory disclosure, temporary orders, alternative dispute resolution and parenting time evaluations, discovery, trial and testimony, judgments and their enforcement, and the modification of decrees.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseIdaho Bar Commission Rules
Everything that governs an Idaho lawyer outside the courtroom, in one hundred and fifty-five rules across thirteen Sections, promulgated by the Board of Commissioners of the Idaho State Bar subject to the approval of the Idaho Supreme Court. Section II is admission — the essential eligibility requirements to practice law, qualifications, the application and its disclosures, admission based on practice experience, foreign legal consultants, the Character and Fitness Committee and the standards for disqualification. Section III covers licensing and Section IV mandatory continuing legal education. Section V, the Rules for Review of Professional Conduct, is the discipline procedure: the Professional Conduct Board, Hearing Committees and Bar Counsel, the grounds for sanctions and the sanctions available, withheld sanctions, interim suspension, formal charge proceedings, lawyers convicted of a serious crime, reciprocal sanctions, disability inactive status, the duties that follow a limitation on the right to practise, reinstatement, the protection of clients, immunity, access to information and subpoena power. Section VI is the Client Assistance Fund and Section VII fee arbitration; Section VIII the unauthorized practice of law, Section X specialization, Section XI practice sections, Section XII the Lawyer Assistance Program, and Section XIII trust accounts and the IOLTA program.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseIdaho Court Administrative Rules
The Idaho Court Administrative Rules govern the administration of the Idaho courts, covering the assignment and duties of magistrate judges and administrative district judges, access to court records and their retention, cameras and electronic devices in the courtroom, court interpreters, jury lists and juror orientation, vexatious litigants, court-annexed mediation and evaluator rosters, and the guardian ad litem programs.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseIdaho Criminal Rules
The Idaho Criminal Rules govern criminal proceedings in the district courts and the magistrates divisions, covering the complaint, arrest warrant and summons, preliminary hearings, indictment and information, arraignment and pleas, discovery, search and seizure, motions, trial and jury instructions, verdict, presentence investigation, judgment and sentencing, and post-conviction relief.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseIdaho Rules of Evidence
The Idaho Rules of Evidence govern the admission of evidence in Idaho courts, covering relevance and its limits, privileges including the Idaho-specific mediation and medical-committee privileges, witnesses and impeachment, opinion and expert testimony, hearsay and its exceptions, authentication and identification, and the contents of writings, recordings and photographs.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseIdaho Appellate Rules
The Idaho Appellate Rules govern appeals and petitions in the Idaho Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, covering appealable judgments and orders, the notice of appeal and cross-appeal, permissive and expedited appeals, stays pending appeal, the clerk's record and the reporter's transcript, briefs, oral argument, opinions and rehearing, costs and attorney fees, and extraordinary writs.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseIdaho Juvenile Rules
The Idaho Juvenile Rules govern proceedings under the Juvenile Corrections Act and the Child Protective Act, covering petitions and summons, detention and shelter care, the right to counsel and guardians ad litem, admit/deny and adjudicatory hearings, disposition and probation, permanency and annual review hearings, termination of the parent-child relationship, and transfer to adult court.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseIdaho Rules of Professional Conduct
The Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct govern the professional obligations of every lawyer licensed in Idaho: competence and diligence, confidentiality of information, conflicts of interest, safekeeping property and client files, the duties of a lawyer as advocate and as counselor, responsibilities within a firm, advertising, and the reporting of professional misconduct. Adopted by the Idaho Supreme Court and based on the ABA Model Rules, each rule is followed by the official Commentary explaining it.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseIdaho Misdemeanor Criminal Rules
The Idaho Misdemeanor Criminal Rules govern the prosecution of misdemeanors, covering the methods of initiating prosecution, jurisdiction and venue, first appearance and plea, trial, judgment of conviction and sentence, failure to appear, bail schedules, alcohol evaluations and driver's license suspensions, and the payment of fines and costs.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseIdaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service
The Idaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service govern the electronic filing system, covering which documents must be filed electronically and the exceptions, the format and size of electronic documents, motions to redact or seal, electronic signatures, payment and fee waivers, the manner and time of filing, and electronic service on the parties.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseIdaho Rules for Treatment Courts
The Idaho Rules for Treatment Courts govern drug, mental health and other problem-solving courts, covering the formation and dissolution of a treatment court, the program file and the criminal case file, application and admission, orientation and notice to participants, participation in a treatment court outside the originating county, and termination and graduation.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseIdaho Rules on Small Claim Actions
The Idaho Rules on Small Claim Actions govern the small claims department of the magistrates division, covering who may be a plaintiff, the forms, service and default proceedings, counterclaims and consolidation, transfer to the district court, appearances and the limits on attorney representation, informal proceedings, judgment and costs, and appeal.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseIdaho Infraction Rules
The Idaho Infraction Rules govern the citation and disposition of infractions, covering citable offenses and the uniform citation, assignment of jurisdiction, appearance and admission by payment, trial procedure and venue, default judgment and relief from it, the fixed penalty schedule, and deferred payment agreements.
Updated 2026 Edition
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