Idaho Supreme Court - Civil Decisions
Under the Idaho Constitution of 1890, the Idaho Supreme Court holds appellate jurisdiction over final decisions in district courts. Many of these cases reach the Supreme Court upon an appeal from the Idaho Court of Appeals, but the Supreme Court also may choose to review a case in the Court of Appeals at its discretion. The Supreme Court also may review appeals of orders by the Public Utilities Commission, the Idaho Industrial Commission, and the Industrial Accident Commission. It holds original jurisdiction to issue certain types of writs, such as writs of mandamus and habeas corpus, in addition to original jurisdiction over cases against the state government. The Court rotates among locations in Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Moscow, Lewiston, Pocatello, Rexburg, Idaho Falls, Caldwell, and Twin Falls
To serve on the Idaho Supreme Court, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen, an Idaho resident for at least two years, and at least 30 years old. They also must have practiced law in Idaho for at least 10 years. Five justices serve on the Court. Idaho selects justices by using a non-partisan election. In other words, candidates are listed on the ballot without their party affiliation. However, if a justice needs to be replaced before the end of their term, the assisted appointment method applies. This means that the Idaho Judicial Council sends a list of candidates to the Governor of Idaho, who will choose the interim justice. Each justice generally serves a renewable six-year term, although the Chief Justice serves a four-year term. The Chief Justice receives their appointment from the Governor after being chosen by a majority of the current justices.
A justice may be removed from the Idaho Supreme Court if the Court determines that removal is appropriate upon the recommendation of the Idaho Judicial Council. A justice also may be removed if they are impeached by the Idaho State Legislature in a majority vote and by the Idaho State Senate in a two-thirds vote.
Recent Decisions From the Idaho Supreme Court - Civil
Date: October 18, 2019
Docket Number: 46272
Justia Opinion Summary: Plaintiff Jackie Raymond alleged, among other things, that Idaho State Police (“ISP”), Payette County, and Deputy Sloan (collectively “defendants”) tortiously interfered with a prospective civil action. The defendants mo...
Date: October 7, 2019
Docket Number: 46026
Justia Opinion Summary: At issue before the Idaho Supreme Court in this matter centered on whether a person bringing a tort claim against a governmental entity for alleged child abuse had to comply with the notice requirement of the Idaho Tort...
Date: October 4, 2019
Docket Number: 45205
Justia Opinion Summary: The Idaho Board of Licensure of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors (the Board), through its executive director, Keith Simila, brought disciplinary proceedings against Chad Erickson for allegedly viola...
Date: October 4, 2019
Docket Number: 46696
Justia Opinion Summary: On the evening of June 17, 2018, Appellants Shane Dodge and his wife Christine (“the Dodges”) were returning home with their son after having dinner together, when they turned onto District Two Road and saw a police car...
Date: September 10, 2019
Docket Number: 45499
Justia Opinion Summary: This appeal came from a district court’s decision to bar Steven Picatti’s 42 U.S.C. section 1983 claims against two deputies on the basis of collateral estoppel. In 2014, Picatti struggled to drive home because road acce...
Date: September 10, 2019
Docket Number: 46269
Justia Opinion Summary: Rebecca Parkinson appealed a district court’s dismissal of her claim for breach of fiduciary duty against her attorney, James Bevis. Parkinson filed a complaint alleging Bevis breached his fiduciary duty when he disclose...
Date: September 10, 2019
Docket Number: 46748
Justia Opinion Summary: Brandi and Brandon Kelly were married and had a son. After about two years of marriage Brandon filed for divorce. Once the divorce was final the magistrate court awarded sole legal custody and primary physical custody of...
Date: September 9, 2019
Docket Number: 45896
Justia Opinion Summary: Due to a failed breath alcohol test and multiple convictions for driving under the influence, the Idaho Transportation Department permanently suspended Bruce Edwards’ driving privileges to operate a commercial motor vehi...
Date: September 5, 2019
Docket Number: 45381
Justia Opinion Summary: Four appeals arose from a consolidated subcase that was a part of the broader Coeur d’Alene-Spokane River Basin Adjudication (CSRBA). The United States Department of the Interior (the United States), as trustee for the C...
Date: August 28, 2019
Docket Number: 45202
Justia Opinion Summary: After Ellen Gittel Gordon defaulted on her mortgage, the loan servicer initiated nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings to sell her home at auction. Gordon submitted multiple loan modification applications and appeals in an...
Date: August 27, 2019
Docket Number: 45418
Justia Opinion Summary: This appeal stemmed from a disputed water right relating to the St. Joe River in Benewah County, Idaho, between a landowner and the tenants who put the water to beneficial use. The license at issue described the water ri...
Date: August 27, 2019
Docket Number: 45675
Justia Opinion Summary: Eagle Creek Irrigation Company (“Eagle Creek”) appealed a district court's grant of summary judgment in favor of A.C. & C.E. Investments, Inc. The dispute centered on 15 shares of Eagle Creek stock which authorized the h...
Date: August 26, 2019
Docket Number: 45917
Justia Opinion Summary: Defendant-appellant Tom Katsilometes challenged the Idaho Senate’s order granting over $18,000 in attorney fees to Senator W. Marcus Nye, awarded after Nye prevailed against Katsilometes in a contest over the results of...
Date: August 26, 2019
Docket Number: 46191
Justia Opinion Summary: SSI Food Services Inc. (SSI) appealed the district court’s decision rejecting the Board of Tax Appeal’s (BTA) 2016 assessed value of SSI’s food processing facility in favor of the Canyon County Assessor’s (Canyon County)...
Date: July 25, 2019
Docket Number: 46126
Justia Opinion Summary: This case arose from the division of a three-member accounting firm, Siddoway, Wadsworth & Reese, PLLC. The three members of the firm were the personal professional corporations solely owned by each accountant. In early...
