If you have court business in Idaho Falls, you are dealing with one of two places: the Bonneville County Courthouse at 605 N. Capital Ave. for state cases, or the Idaho Falls Municipal Court at 308 Constitution Way for city citations. Which Idaho Falls court handles your matter depends on who charged you or who you are suing. A speeding ticket written under state law, a misdemeanor, a divorce, a small claims suit, or a felony all go to the county courthouse. A parking ticket, animal control citation, or other city ordinance violation goes to Municipal Court.
Bonneville County Courthouse
The courthouse is at 605 N. Capital Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83402.1Idaho Court Assistance Office. Bonneville County The clerk’s office answers at (208) 529-1350.2Bonneville County, Idaho. Clerk, Auditor, and Recorder It is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours and closed on state holidays.
This is where the District Court and the Magistrate Division sit. The District Court handles felony trials and civil lawsuits over $10,000. The Magistrate Division handles the rest of what most people encounter: misdemeanors, traffic infractions, probate, juvenile matters, small civil disputes, and (when the magistrate is a licensed attorney) divorce, custody, and paternity cases.3Idaho State Legislature. Idaho Code Section 1-2208 – Assignment of Cases to Magistrates
Expect security screening at the entrance. Weapons and pocket knives will not be allowed through. Leave anything questionable in your car so you are not turned away.
If you are representing yourself, the Idaho Court Assistance Office covers Bonneville County at (208) 589-9872.1Idaho Court Assistance Office. Bonneville County The staff cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the correct forms and explain the steps.
Idaho Falls Municipal Court
Municipal Court is at 308 Constitution Way, Idaho Falls, ID 83405, inside the city’s Municipal Services building. The phone number for Municipal Services is (208) 612-8249.4City of Idaho Falls. Municipal Services This court handles city ordinance violations only. It does not hear felonies, state-level misdemeanors, or civil suits.
Your citation itself lists your court date, the fine amount, and the payment deadline. Many parking and non-moving violations can be paid online or in person at the Constitution Way office without a court appearance. Miss the deadline and you may be hit with late fees or a bench warrant.
One practical note: Municipal Court records are not part of the statewide iCourt system. To check on a city case, call the Municipal Court or stop by in person.
Looking Up a Case or Hearing Date
For anything filed at the Bonneville County Courthouse, use the statewide iCourt Portal at icourt.idaho.gov.5Idaho Supreme Court. Court Records Search You can search by name or case number. The portal shows case information, hearing schedules, filed documents, and options to pay fines and fees online.
Searching by case number is the fastest and most accurate route when you have the number on your paperwork. Name searches work, but common names return multiple matches across different counties.
Some records will not show up in a public search. Sealed cases, juvenile proceedings, and certain domestic relations filings are restricted. If you expect a record to exist and cannot find it, call the clerk’s office at (208) 529-1350.2Bonneville County, Idaho. Clerk, Auditor, and Recorder
Filing a Small Claims Case
Small claims are heard in the Magistrate Division at the Bonneville County Courthouse. The limit is $5,000, and the case must be about money.3Idaho State Legislature. Idaho Code Section 1-2208 – Assignment of Cases to Magistrates The process is faster and less formal than a standard civil suit, and there is no jury.
Idaho’s small claims rule most people are surprised by: lawyers cannot appear in the courtroom with you at the hearing. You can hire one for advice beforehand, but you argue the case yourself. If the losing side appeals, the case moves to a regular magistrate proceeding where attorneys are allowed.
To start, you file a small claims complaint at the courthouse and pay the filing fee. The court schedules a hearing. Bring every piece of evidence you want the judge to see — contracts, receipts, photos, text messages — because the decision is based on what you present that day.
Filing for a Protection Order
Petitions for domestic violence and other civil protection orders are filed in the Magistrate Division. You can file at any courthouse in Idaho, though the county where you live is preferred. There is no filing fee. The forms are also free.1Idaho Court Assistance Office. Bonneville County
A judge reviews the petition after you file and may issue a temporary order the same day if the situation calls for immediate protection. A hearing is then set, usually within about two weeks, where both sides can be heard before the judge decides on a longer-term order. The Court Assistance Office at (208) 589-9872 can help you find the correct forms.
If You Got a Jury Summons
Jury summons for Bonneville County are mailed from the District Court. Do not ignore one. Under Idaho Code Section 2-217, failing to appear after being summoned can be treated as criminal contempt, punishable by a fine of up to $300, up to three days in jail, or both.6Idaho State Legislature. Idaho Code Section 2-217 – Penalty for Evasion of Jury Service
If you have a real conflict — a medical issue, a caretaking obligation, work travel — call the clerk’s office at (208) 529-1350 as soon as you get the summons. Deferrals are routinely granted when you ask ahead of time. The court treats someone who requests to be rescheduled very differently from someone who simply does not show up.