Idaho’s trial-level courts are organized into seven judicial districts, each covering a group of counties. District Judges hear felony criminal cases and civil disputes involving more than $10,000, as well as appeals from the Magistrate Division. Magistrate Judges, who sit within each district, handle misdemeanors, small claims, family law, probate, and preliminary felony hearings.
District Judges are elected by voters within their district to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections. Magistrate Judges are appointed by a district magistrates commission and subsequently stand for retention elections. Each district is led by an administrative district judge, chosen by the other judges in that district, who oversees court operations and case assignments.
A full roster of district and magistrate judges for each district is planned for a future update.