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.