Ada County Criminal Records
What Is Ada County Criminal Records
Ada County criminal records are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Ada County, Idaho. These records are maintained pursuant to Idaho Code § 9-338, which establishes the public's right to examine and copy public records. Criminal records encompass a wide range of documentation related to criminal activity, investigations, and judicial proceedings.
Criminal records in Ada County are categorized by several important distinctions:
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Arrest vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement but do not necessarily indicate guilt. Conviction records, conversely, indicate that a court has found the individual guilty of a criminal offense.
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Felony vs. Misdemeanor: Felonies represent more serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanors are less severe offenses typically punishable by up to one year in county jail.
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Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Adult criminal records (18 years and older) are generally accessible to the public, whereas juvenile records are typically sealed under Idaho Code § 20-525 to protect minors' privacy and future opportunities.
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Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants indicate current orders for arrest, while historical records document past criminal justice interactions.
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Ada County:
Ada County Sheriff's Office
7200 Barrister Drive
Boise, ID 83704
208-577-3000
Ada County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records.
Fourth Judicial District Court
200 W. Front Street
Boise, ID 83702
208-287-7080
Idaho Courts
The District Court maintains case files, dispositions, and sentencing information.
Idaho State Police, Bureau of Criminal Identification
700 S. Stratford Drive, Suite 120
Meridian, ID 83642
208-884-7130
Idaho State Police
The Bureau of Criminal Identification maintains the state's central repository of criminal history information.
Boise Police Department
333 N. Mark Stall Place
Boise, ID 83704
208-377-6790
Boise Police Department
The Police Department maintains records of local arrests and investigations.
Ada County criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentencing, and probation or parole information. These records serve as the official history of an individual's involvement with the criminal justice system within the county.
Are Criminal Records Public In Ada County
Criminal records in Ada County are generally considered public information under Idaho's Public Records Act, codified in Idaho Code § 74-102. This statute establishes that "every person has a right to examine and take a copy of any public record of this state," with certain exceptions as provided by law.
The Idaho Public Records Act states: "Every person has a right to examine and take a copy of any public record of this state and there is a presumption that all public records in Idaho are open at all reasonable times for inspection except as otherwise expressly provided by statute."
While many criminal records are accessible to the public, important exceptions and restrictions apply:
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Public Records: Adult conviction records, court proceedings, sentencing information, and inmate records are generally available to the public.
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Restricted Records: The following categories have limited accessibility:
- Ongoing criminal investigations (protected under Idaho Code § 74-124)
- Sealed or expunged records
- Juvenile records (generally confidential under Idaho Code § 20-525)
- Records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Records that would endanger the safety of law enforcement personnel
- Pre-sentence investigation reports
The Fourth Judicial District Court, which serves Ada County, maintains court records that are accessible through the Idaho Supreme Court Data Repository. However, certain sensitive information within these records may be redacted to protect privacy interests, including social security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain personal identifying information.
Law enforcement agencies in Ada County, including the Sheriff's Office and local police departments, maintain criminal records related to arrests, bookings, and investigations. While many of these records are public, agencies may withhold information that could compromise ongoing investigations or endanger individuals.
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records in Ada County must follow established procedures for requesting such information, which may include submitting formal requests and paying applicable fees. Government agencies are required to respond to public records requests within three working days, though this period may be extended to ten working days for larger or more complex requests.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Ada County in 2026
Members of the public seeking to look up criminal records in Ada County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county provides multiple avenues for obtaining criminal records, both in person and through electronic means.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
Ada County Clerk's Office
200 W. Front Street, 1st Floor
Boise, ID 83702
208-287-6900
Ada County Clerk
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
To request criminal records in person:
- Complete a public records request form, available at the Clerk's Office
- Provide specific information about the records being sought, including the individual's full name and, if possible, date of birth
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees (currently $1.00 per page for copies)
- For certified copies, an additional fee of $1.00 per document applies
For electronic requests, Ada County offers several options:
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Idaho Supreme Court Data Repository: The Idaho Court Portal provides online access to court records. Users can:
- Create a free account
- Search by name, case number, or citation number
- Access case information, including charges, hearing dates, and dispositions
- View and print documents (fees may apply)
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Ada County Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster: The Ada County Sheriff's Office maintains a searchable database of current inmates and recently released individuals.
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Email Requests: Public records requests may be submitted via email to the appropriate agency:
- Court records: adacountyclerk@adacounty.id.gov
- Sheriff's records: adasheriff@adacounty.id.gov
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Mail Requests: Written requests may be sent to the respective agency's physical address. Requests should include:
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Specific description of records sought
- Signature and date
- Check or money order for applicable fees
For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may contact:
Idaho State Police, Bureau of Criminal Identification
700 S. Stratford Drive, Suite 120
Meridian, ID 83642
208-884-7130
Idaho State Police
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The Bureau of Criminal Identification provides statewide criminal history checks for a fee of $20 per name-based search or $25 for fingerprint-based searches.
How To Find Criminal Records in Ada County Online?
Ada County residents and interested parties can access various criminal records through several online portals maintained by state and county agencies. These digital resources provide convenient access to public information without requiring in-person visits to government offices.
The primary online resources for accessing Ada County criminal records include:
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Idaho Supreme Court Data Repository: The Idaho Court Portal serves as the comprehensive database for court records throughout Idaho, including Ada County. Users can:
- Search by name, case number, or citation number
- Access case types including criminal, civil, family, and probate
- View case status, hearing dates, and judgment information
- Access documents filed with the court (some may require fees)
- Registration is required for full access, though basic case information is available without an account
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Ada County Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster: The Sheriff's Office maintains a searchable database of current inmates and recently released individuals. This resource provides:
- Current custody status
- Booking information
- Charges
- Bond amounts
- Scheduled court dates
- No registration is required for this free service
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Idaho Department of Correction Offender Search: The IDOC Resident/Client Search allows users to locate individuals currently under department supervision, including:
- Incarcerated individuals
- Probationers
- Parolees
- Search parameters include name, IDOC number, and other identifiers
- Information provided includes custody status, facility location, and sentence details
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Idaho Sex Offender Registry: Maintained by the Idaho State Police, this database allows searches for registered sex offenders residing in Ada County and throughout Idaho. The registry provides:
- Offender photographs
- Physical descriptions
- Residential addresses
- Conviction information
- Risk level assessments
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Idaho iCourt Portal: The iCourt Portal provides access to:
- Court calendars
- Case information
- Document filing capabilities
- Payment processing for fines and fees
- Registration is required for certain functions
When using these online resources, users should note that:
- Some records may not be available online due to sealing orders, expungements, or statutory restrictions
- Certain sensitive information is redacted from online records
- Historical records may have limited availability in digital format
- Records obtained online may not be certified copies
- For complete criminal history information, a fingerprint-based search through the Idaho State Police is recommended
Can You Search Ada County Criminal Records for Free?
Ada County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records at no cost, as provided under the Idaho Public Records Act § 74-102. This statute establishes that "examining public records" is free, though agencies may charge for copies, specialized searches, or certified documents.
Free inspection of criminal records is available at the following locations:
Ada County Courthouse
200 W. Front Street
Boise, ID 83702
208-287-7080
Fourth Judicial District Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Ada County Sheriff's Office
7200 Barrister Drive
Boise, ID 83704
208-577-3000
Ada County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Several online resources provide free access to criminal record information:
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Idaho Supreme Court Data Repository: Basic case information is available without charge through the Idaho Court Portal. Users can search by name or case number to view:
- Case types and numbers
- Filing dates
- Party names
- Hearing schedules
- Case status
- Judgment information
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Ada County Sheriff's Inmate Roster: The online inmate search provides free access to information about currently incarcerated individuals and those recently released from the Ada County Jail.
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Idaho Department of Correction Offender Search: The IDOC database offers free searches for individuals under state supervision.
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Idaho Sex Offender Registry: The public registry maintained by Idaho State Police provides free access to information about registered sex offenders.
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Ada County Arrest Logs: Daily arrest information is available through the Sheriff's Office website at no cost.
While inspection of records is free, fees may apply for:
- Copies of documents ($1.00 per page for standard copies)
- Certified copies ($1.00 additional per document)
- Records requiring extensive staff time to locate or redact
- Specialized searches or compilations
- Electronic document downloads from certain systems
- Comprehensive criminal history reports from the Idaho State Police
Agencies may waive fees when the request is deemed primarily beneficial to the general public rather than the requestor. Fee waiver requests must be submitted in writing with the initial records request.
What's Included in a Ada County Criminal Record?
Ada County criminal records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information that collectively provide a detailed account of criminal proceedings.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at arrest
- Probable cause statement
- Bail or bond amount
- Detention facility information
- Release date and conditions (if applicable)
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date and prosecutor information
- Formal charges filed and corresponding Idaho statutes
- Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
- Plea entered
- Attorney information (public defender or private counsel)
- Hearing dates and proceedings
- Motion filings and judicial rulings
Disposition Information:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details, including:
- Incarceration terms and location
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines, fees, and restitution ordered
- Court-ordered programs or treatment
- Community service requirements
- Appeals filed and outcomes
- Probation or parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants or pending charges
- Protective or no-contact orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history and license suspensions
- Traffic violations related to criminal matters
- Probation or parole conditions
- Completion of court-ordered programs
- Modification of sentences or conditions
Criminal records in Ada County are maintained in compliance with Idaho Code § 67-3004, which establishes standards for criminal history record information. This statute ensures that records are complete, accurate, and properly maintained by authorized agencies.
It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from publicly accessible records to protect privacy interests, including social security numbers, financial account information, medical information, and certain personal identifiers. Additionally, sealed or expunged records are not included in standard criminal record searches.
How Long Does Ada County Keep Criminal Records?
Ada County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Idaho State Historical Society's Records Management Program and the Idaho Code § 67-4126. These schedules dictate how long various types of criminal records must be preserved before they may be destroyed or archived.
The retention periods for criminal records in Ada County vary based on document type and case disposition:
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Felony Case Files: Felony records are permanently retained by the Fourth Judicial District Court. These records include all documentation related to felony prosecutions, regardless of outcome.
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Misdemeanor Case Files: Records for misdemeanor cases are retained for a minimum of 10 years after case closure. However, certain categories of misdemeanors have extended retention periods:
- DUI/DWI cases: 10 years from date of judgment
- Domestic violence cases: 20 years from date of judgment
- Sex crimes: Permanently retained
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Arrest Records: The Ada County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for a minimum of 10 years from the date of arrest. Records involving felony arrests are kept for 20 years or longer.
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Booking Information and Mugshots: These records are typically retained for 10 years from the date of booking.
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Court Dockets and Indexes: These finding aids are permanently retained as they provide essential access points to case files.
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Probation Records: Maintained for 10 years after the termination of probation.
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Warrants: Active warrants remain in effect until served or recalled by the court. Records of executed or recalled warrants are retained for 10 years.
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Juvenile Records: Generally maintained until the individual reaches 18 years of age, unless ordered sealed earlier by the court. Some serious juvenile offenses may have longer retention periods.
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Traffic Violations: Records of traffic infractions are typically retained for 5 years from the date of disposition.
The Idaho Court Administrative Rule 37 governs the retention of court records specifically and may establish different retention periods for certain document types within case files.
It is important to note that even after the official retention period has expired, information about criminal cases may persist in various databases, private background check services, and news archives. Additionally, the Idaho State Police maintains a central repository of criminal history information that may retain records beyond the county's retention schedule.
Records that have met their retention requirements may be destroyed in accordance with proper procedures, though records of historical significance may be transferred to the Idaho State Archives for permanent preservation rather than being destroyed.