Idaho Court System and Court Rules
What the exam tests
Idaho court structure, the rules that govern proceedings, and the reporter's role in the appellate record.
Structure
- Idaho Supreme Court: five justices; final appellate authority; administers the courts.
- Idaho Court of Appeals: sits in three-judge panels; hears many appeals; the Supreme Court may review its decisions.
- District courts: trial courts of record in seven judicial districts; the magistrate division handles misdemeanors, infractions, small civil claims, and preliminary matters.
- Appeals from magistrate decisions are heard by the district court; further review may reach the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court.
Rules and practice
- The Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure govern depositions, discovery, and trial practice; the Idaho Rules of Evidence govern admissibility; the Idaho Criminal Rules govern criminal cases; the Idaho Appellate Rules govern the record on appeal.
- Court reporters are officers of the court. Official reporters are appointed to serve the district; transcripts must be certified and filed within the time set by rule or order.
- The transcript on appeal must include the proceedings designated by the parties and the reporter's certificate. Sealed material is transmitted under seal.
- Magistrate division proceedings may be recorded electronically or by a reporter; the availability and format of the record affect the appeal.
Worked example
A party appeals a magistrate's civil judgment to the district court. You are asked for the transcript. First confirm the notice of appeal and the designation of record; then prepare only the designated proceedings, certify the transcript, and file it with the district court clerk by the deadline. If the record is sealed, transmit it under seal and do not send a copy to the opposing party outside the rules.
Traps
Assuming all magistrate appeals are trial de novo; missing the transcript deadline; failing to include the certification; and filing with the wrong clerk.