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Idaho Criminal Laws

Learn about your state’s laws by using the links below.

By Susan Buckner, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last updated
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Idaho’s criminal laws detail all felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions within the state. Idaho Code Title 18 (§ 18-100 et seq.) defines crimes and prosecution requirements.

Under Idaho law, a felony is punishable by not more than five years of imprisonment in state prison, a fine of $50,000, or both, unless the statute specifies otherwise (§ 18-112). Misdemeanors are punishable by not more than six months in a county jail, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both (§ 18-113). Infractions and citations are set by city or county ordinance and by statute.

Idaho Criminal Laws

The state of Idaho has not grouped its criminal state laws into categories like "crimes against people" and "crimes against property." Instead, each criminal act has a separate chapter under Title 18. When a law gets updated or changed, amendments or revisions get appended to each law.

The first 70 criminal laws are alphabetical and numerical (Chapter 7, Arrests through Chapter 72, Weights and Measures). The Idaho legislature added new laws, such as airplane hijacking and motor vehicle laws.

Public Health and Safety Crimes

Some types of behaviors that might be infractions or violations in other states are criminal acts in Idaho. These public nuisance crimes are misdemeanors, and include:

  • Abandonment of airtight containers (§ 18-5816)
  • Exposure of animal carcasses (§ 18-5803)
  • Selling or slaughtering a "famished" animal (§ 18-5804)
  • Setting up a lottery (§ 18-4902)

Get Legal Advice From an Experienced Idaho Attorney

Whether you need criminal law advice or help with a civil action, you should not deal with the court alone. Get legal help from an experienced attorney who knows court rules and will protect your civil rights in the legal system.

Learn About Idaho Criminal Laws

  • Idaho Child Abuse Laws

    A look into Idaho’s statute prohibiting the crime of child abuse, including a definition of the offense, the legal basis for reporting suspected child abuse, and mandatory reporters of abuse. Other related laws include the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Sexual Offender Registration Act.

  • Idaho Identity Theft Laws

    Summary of Idaho’s Misappropriation of Personal Identifying Information statute prohibiting identity theft involves the fraudulent use of a person’s personal identifying information. Related laws include false personation, meaning paying bond or surety under false pretenses, or marriage or receipt of money by misrepresentation.

  • Idaho Involuntary Manslaughter Law

    What you need to know about Idaho’s criminal law on involuntary manslaughter, which is the unlawful killing of another person without malice, including information about self-defense.

  • Idaho Marijuana Laws

    A general overview of Idaho’s relatively severe marijuana laws, which make possession of more than three ounces of marijuana a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

  • Idaho Rape and Sexual Assault Laws

    Idaho’s rape and sexual assault laws define the two crimes as separate offenses. Sex crimes are generally misdemeanors, while rape and assault on a child are felonies.

  • Idaho Tax Fraud and Tax Evasion Laws

    Explanation of the related crimes of tax evasion, which is the non-payment of owed taxes, and tax fraud, a more serious crime involving the active cover-up of taxable assets.

Idaho Criminal Law Articles

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