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Idaho Supreme Court
| Idaho Supreme Court |
|---|
|
| Court Information |
| Justices: 5 |
| Founded: 1890 |
| Location: Boise |
| Salary |
| Associates: $186,508[1] |
| Judicial Selection |
| Method: Nonpartisan election |
| Term: 6 years |
| Active justices |
| G. Richard Bevan, Robyn Brody, Cynthia Meyer, Gregory W. Moeller, Colleen Zahn |
Founded in 1890, the Idaho Supreme Court is the state's court of last resort and has five judgeships. The current chief of the court is G. Richard Bevan.
As of January 2023, four judges on the court were appointed by a Republican governor and one judge was initially selected in an election.
The court meets in the Supreme Court Building in Boise, Idaho.[2]
In Idaho, state supreme court justices are elected in nonpartisan elections. There are 13 states that use this selection method. To read more about the nonpartisan election of judges, click here.
Jurisdiction
The 1890 Idaho Constitution gives the Idaho Supreme Court the authority to hear appeals of the final rulings of the district courts, as well as from orders from the Public Utilities Commission, Industrial Accident Commission and the Idaho Industrial Commission. The court has original jurisdiction to hear cases against the state and to issue writs of review, mandamus, prohibition, and habeas corpus, and all writs necessary for complete exercise of its appellate jurisdiction. Parties may make a further appeal to the supreme court from the Idaho Court of Appeals, or the court may choose to review a decision of the court of appeals.[3]
The supreme court is responsible for the administration and supervision of lower courts, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and the state law library. The supreme court also supervises and regulates the state bar.[4]
The following text from Article V, Section 9 of the Idaho Constitution covers the organization and jurisdiction of the court:
| “ | Original and Appellate Jurisdiction of Supreme Court
The Supreme Court shall have jurisdiction to review, upon appeal, any decision of the district courts, or the judges thereof, any order of the public utilities commission, any order of the industrial accident board, and any plan proposed by the commission for reapportionment created pursuant to section 2, article III; the legislature may provide conditions of appeal, scope of appeal, and procedure on appeal from orders of the public utilities commission, of the industrial accident board. On appeal from orders of the industrial accident board the court shall be limited to a review of questions of law. The Supreme Court shall also have original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, certiorari, prohibition, and habeas corpus, and all writs necessary or proper to the complete exercise of its appellate jurisdiction. [5] |
” |
| —Idaho Constitution, Article V, Section 9 | ||
Justices
The table below lists the current judges of the Idaho Supreme Court, their political party, when they assumed office, and the appointing governor.
| Office | Name | Party | Date assumed office | Appointed by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Supreme Court | G. Richard Bevan | Nonpartisan | 2017 | Butch Otter (R) |
| Idaho Supreme Court | Robyn Brody | Nonpartisan | January 2, 2017 | Elected |
| Idaho Supreme Court | Cynthia Meyer | Nonpartisan | January 5, 2024 | Brad Little (R) |
| Idaho Supreme Court | Gregory W. Moeller | Nonpartisan | 2019 | Butch Otter (R) |
| Idaho Supreme Court | Colleen Zahn | Nonpartisan | July 1, 2021 | Brad Little (R) |
Salary
- See also: Idaho court salaries and budgets
In 2025, the justices of the court received a salary of $186,508, according to the National Center for State Courts.[6]
Judicial selection
- See also: Judicial selection in Idaho
The five justices of the Idaho Supreme Court are elected in nonpartisan elections. They serve six-year terms, after which they must seek re-election if they wish to retain their seat. To learn more about these elections, visit the Idaho judicial elections page.[7]
Qualifications
To serve on the supreme court, a judge must:
- be at least 30 years old;
- be a U.S. citizen;
- be an Idaho resident for at least two years;
- be in good standing as an active or judicial member of the state bar for at least two years; and
- a licensed attorney for at least 10 years.[7]
Chief justice
The chief justice of the supreme court is selected by peer vote to serve a four-year term. [7]
Vacancies
If a midterm vacancy occurs on the court, an interim judge is appointed by the governor from a list of two to four names provided by a nominating commission. This judge will serve out the remainder of the unexpired term, after which he or she must run in a nonpartisan election to remain on the court.[7]
The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.
Elections
- See also: Idaho Supreme Court elections
See also: Idaho Supreme Court elections, 2030
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
See also: Idaho Supreme Court elections, 2028
Robyn Brody's seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Colleen Zahn's seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
See also: Idaho Supreme Court elections, 2026
Gregory Moeller's seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Cynthia Meyer's seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
See also: Idaho Supreme Court elections, 2024
General election
General election for Idaho Supreme Court
Incumbent G. Richard Bevan (Nonpartisan) won election in the general election for Idaho Supreme Court on May 21, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | G. Richard Bevan (Nonpartisan) | 100.0 | 215,306 |
| Total votes: 215,306 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
See also: Idaho Supreme Court elections, 2022
Brody's seat
General election
General election for Idaho Supreme Court
Incumbent Robyn Brody (Nonpartisan) won election in the general election for Idaho Supreme Court on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Robyn Brody (Nonpartisan) | 100.0 | 221,501 |
| Total votes: 221,501 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Zahn's seat
General election
General election for Idaho Supreme Court
Incumbent Colleen Zahn (Nonpartisan) won election in the general election for Idaho Supreme Court on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Colleen Zahn (Nonpartisan) | 100.0 | 221,658 |
| Total votes: 221,658 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
See also: Idaho Supreme Court elections, 2020
Gregory W. Moeller's seat
General election
General election for Idaho Supreme Court
Incumbent Gregory W. Moeller (Nonpartisan) won election in the general election for Idaho Supreme Court on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Gregory W. Moeller (Nonpartisan) | 100.0 | 265,379 |
| Total votes: 265,379 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
John R. Stegner's seat
General election
General election for Idaho Supreme Court
Incumbent John R. Stegner (Nonpartisan) won election in the general election for Idaho Supreme Court on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | John R. Stegner (Nonpartisan) | 100.0 | 264,495 |
| Total votes: 264,495 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
General election
General election for Idaho Supreme Court
Incumbent G. Richard Bevan (Nonpartisan) won election in the general election for Idaho Supreme Court on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | G. Richard Bevan (Nonpartisan) | 100.0 | 190,316 |
| Total votes: 190,316 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Appointments
2023
Governor Brad Little (R) appointed Cynthia Meyer to serve on the Idaho Supreme Court. Meyer was sworn in on January 5, 2024. Meyer replaces Justice John R. Stegner, who retired on October 31, 2023, citing his desire to return to private practice.[10] Stegner's replacement is Governor Little's second nominee to the five-member supreme court.
In Idaho, state supreme court justices are elected in nonpartisan elections. There are 13 states that use this selection method. To read more about the nonpartisan election of judges, click here.
If a midterm vacancy occurs on the court, an interim judge is appointed by the governor from a list of two to four names provided by a nominating commission. This judge will serve out the remainder of the unexpired term, after which he or she must run in a nonpartisan election to remain on the court.[7]
2021
Idaho Governor Brad Little (R) appointed Colleen Zahn to the Idaho Supreme Court on June 1, 2021. Zahn succeeded Roger Burdick, who retired on June 30, 2021. Zahn was Gov. Little's first nominee to the five-member supreme court.[11][12]
At the time of the vacancy, an interim judge was appointed by the governor from a list of two to four names provided by a nominating commission in the event of a midterm vacancy, under Idaho law. The judge would serve out the remainder of the unexpired term, after which they would have to run in a nonpartisan election to remain on the court.[13]
2018
Idaho Supreme Court Justice Joel Horton retired on December 31, 2018.[14] He joined the court in September 2007.
Under Idaho law, an interim judge is appointed by the governor from a list of two to four names provided by a nominating commission if a midterm vacancy occurs on the court. At the end of the term, the appointed judge must be elected in nonpartisan elections to retain the seat for a six-year term.
Horton's replacement was Gov. Butch Otter's (R) fourth nominee to the five-member supreme court.
Caseloads
The table below details the number of cases filed with the court and the number of dispositions (decisions) the court reached in each year. As of September 2024, data more recent than 2014 was not available online.
| Idaho Supreme Court caseload data | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Filings | Dispositions |
| 2015 | 90 | 139 |
| 2014 | 163 | 126 |
| 2013 | 145 | 120 |
| 2012 | 123 | 104 |
| 2011 | 160 | 169 |
| 2010 | 164 | 356 |
| 2009 | 173 | 217 |
| 2008 | 938 | 350 |
| 2007 | 936 | 365 |
Analysis
Ballotpedia Courts: Determiners and Dissenters (2021)
In 2020, Ballotpedia published Ballotpedia Courts: Determiners and Dissenters, a study on how state supreme court justices decided the cases that came before them. Our goal was to determine which justices ruled together most often, which frequently dissented, and which courts featured the most unanimous or contentious decisions.
The study tracked the position taken by each state supreme court justice in every case they decided in 2020, then tallied the number of times the justices on the court ruled together. We identified the following types of justices:
- We considered two justices opinion partners if they frequently concurred or dissented together throughout the year.
- We considered justices a dissenting minority if they frequently opposed decisions together as a -1 minority.
- We considered a group of justices a determining majority if they frequently determined cases by a +1 majority throughout the year.
- We considered a justice a lone dissenter if he or she frequently dissented alone in cases throughout the year.
Summary of cases decided in 2020
- Number of justices: 5
- Number of cases: 140
- Percentage of cases with a unanimous ruling: 90.0%% (126)
- Justice most often writing the majority opinion: Justice G. Richard Bevan (29)
- Per curiam decisions: 0
- Concurring opinions: 8
- Justice with most concurring opinions: Justice John Stegner (5)
- Dissenting opinions: 14
- Justice with most dissenting opinions: Justice John Stegner (8)
For the study's full set of findings in Idaho, click here.
Ballotpedia Courts: State Partisanship (2020)
- See also: Ballotpedia Courts: State Partisanship
Last updated: June 15, 2020
In 2020, Ballotpedia published Ballotpedia Courts: State Partisanship, a study examining the partisan affiliation of all state supreme court justices in the country as of June 15, 2020.
The study presented Confidence Scores that represented our confidence in each justice's degree of partisan affiliation, based on a variety of factors. This was not a measure of where a justice fell on the political or ideological spectrum, but rather a measure of how much confidence we had that a justice was or had been affiliated with a political party. To arrive at confidence scores we analyzed each justice's past partisan activity by collecting data on campaign finance, past political positions, party registration history, as well as other factors. The five categories of Confidence Scores were:
- Strong Democrat
- Mild Democrat
- Indeterminate[15]
- Mild Republican
- Strong Republican
We used the Confidence Scores of each justice to develop a Court Balance Score, which attempted to show the balance among justices with Democratic, Republican, and Indeterminate Confidence Scores on a court. Courts with higher positive Court Balance Scores included justices with higher Republican Confidence Scores, while courts with lower negative Court Balance Scores included justices with higher Democratic Confidence Scores. Courts closest to zero either had justices with conflicting partisanship or justices with Indeterminate Confidence Scores.[16]
Idaho had a Court Balance Score of 7, indicating Republican control of the court. In total, the study found that there were 15 states with Democrat-controlled courts, 27 states with Republican-controlled courts, and eight states with Split courts. The map below shows the court balance score of each state.
Bonica and Woodruff campaign finance scores (2012)
In October 2012, political science professors Adam Bonica and Michael Woodruff of Stanford University attempted to determine the partisan outlook of state supreme court justices in their paper, "State Supreme Court Ideology and 'New Style' Judicial Campaigns." A score above 0 indicated a more conservative-leaning ideology while scores below 0 were more liberal. The state Supreme Court of Idaho was given a campaign finance score (CFscore), which was calculated for judges in October 2012. At that time, Idaho received a score of 0.75. Based on the justices selected, Idaho was the 5th most conservative court. The study was based on data from campaign contributions by judges themselves, the partisan leaning of contributors to the judges, or—in the absence of elections—the ideology of the appointing body (governor or legislature). This study was not a definitive label of a justice but rather an academic gauge of various factors.[17]
Noteworthy cases
For a full list of opinions published by the court, click here. Know of a case we should cover here? Let us know by emailing us.
Ethics
The Idaho Code of Judicial Conduct sets forth ethical guidelines and principles for the conduct of judges and judicial candidates in Idaho. It consists of five overarching canons:
| “ |
|
” |
The full text of the Idaho Code of Judicial Conduct can be found here.
Removal of judges
Judges in Idaho may be removed in one of two ways:
- The Idaho Judicial Council may investigate a complaint against an Idaho judge and then recommend to the supreme court that the judge should face discipline, removal, or retirement. The supreme court may then review the recommendation and investigate further before determining whether to reject the recommendation, or order discipline, removal or retirement of the judge.
- Impeachment by a majority vote of the Idaho House of Representatives and conviction by a two-thirds vote of the Idaho State Senate.[18]
History of the court
Idaho became a part of the Oregon territory in 1848. The territory encompassed much of present-day Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. A territorial government was put into operation in 1849 that included a supreme court, district courts, probate courts, and justices of the peace, as provided in the Territorial Act. The supreme court consisted of three justices, appointed by the U.S. president with consent of the U.S. senate, for four-year terms. The territory was divided into three circuits and the justices were required to ride circuit as district court judges throughout the year. Appeals of district court decisions were heard by the territorial supreme court. Appeals from the territorial supreme court were taken to the U.S. Supreme Court.[19][20] Idaho became a territory of its own with the Organic Act of March 3, 1863. A territorial supreme court was created in the Organic Act and the territory was divided into three judicial districts. Three judges, nominated by President Abraham Lincoln, served four-year terms in the territory and constituted the territorial supreme court. This meant that appointed judges sat on appeals of their own decisions as the court of last resort. The supreme court was required to hold at least one term each year in the territorial capital. The first court business occurred in January 1866 and this judicial system existed until Idaho achieved statehood. In its existence, the territorial supreme court heard a total of 283 cases.[21]
With the achievement of statehood on July 4, 1890, the supreme court was created through the Idaho Constitution. The constitution called for three justices, elected by state voters at-large, for terms of six years.[22]
In 1920 state voters passed an amendment Idaho Increase Supreme Court Membership, HJR 6 (1920) increasing the number of justices on the supreme court to five. This is the present size of the court. Justices continue to be elected in statewide nonpartisan elections for terms of six years.[23]
It holds terms of court in Boise, Coeur d'Alene, Moscow, Lewiston, Pocatello, Rexburg, Idaho Falls, Caldwell, and Twin Falls. The court's permanent home is in Boise.[24]
Courts in Idaho
- See also: Courts in Idaho
In Idaho, there is one federal district court, a state supreme court, a state court of appeals, and trial courts with both general and limited jurisdiction. These courts serve different purposes.
The image below depicts the flow of cases through Idaho's state court system. Cases typically originate in the trial courts and can be appealed to courts higher up in the system.
Party control of Idaho state government
A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. A state supreme court plays a role in the checks and balances system of a state government.
Idaho has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ The salary of the chief justice may be higher than an associate justice.
- ↑ State of Idaho Judicial Branch, "History & Procedures of the Idaho Supreme Court," accessed September 14, 2021
- ↑ State of Idaho Judicial Branch, "Supreme Court," accessed September 14, 2021
- ↑ Idaho State Bar,"Idaho Bar Commission Rules," accessed June 14, 2024
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ National Center for State Courts, "2025 Salaries and Rankings," accessed October 8, 2025
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection," accessed September 14, 2021
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedidresults - ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Elections, Idaho Election Results, Downloads, Primary, County Level, 1992" accessed October 8, 2013
- ↑ State of Idaho Judicial Branch, "Idaho Supreme Court Justice John Stegner to Retire," accessed December 7, 2023
- ↑ Idaho News 6, "Idaho Supreme Court justice Roger Burdick announces resignation," February 7, 2021
- ↑ Idaho, Office of the Governor, "Gov. Little appoints Colleen Zahn to Idaho Supreme Court," June 1, 2021
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Idaho," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ The Associated Press, "Idaho Supreme Court justice to retire at end of year," June 29, 2018
- ↑ An Indeterminate score indicates that there is either not enough information about the justice’s partisan affiliations or that our research found conflicting partisan affiliations.
- ↑ The Court Balance Score is calculated by finding the average partisan Confidence Score of all justices on a state supreme court. For example, if a state has justices on the state supreme court with Confidence Scores of 4, -2, 2, 14, -2, 3, and 4, the Court Balance is the average of those scores: 3.3. Therefore, the Confidence Score on the court is Mild Republican. The use of positive and negative numbers in presenting both Confidence Scores and Court Balance Scores should not be understood to that either a Republican or Democratic score is positive or negative. The numerical values represent their distance from zero, not whether one score is better or worse than another.
- ↑ Stanford University, "State Supreme Court Ideology and 'New Style' Judicial Campaigns," October 31, 2012
- ↑ National Center For State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Removal of Judges," accessed May 23, 2015
- ↑ State of Oregon Law Library,"Oregon Courts Under the Territorial Government," accessed June 25, 2024
- ↑ State of Oregon Law Library,"Oregon Courts Under the Territorial Government," accessed June 25, 2024
- ↑ Hein Online,"Judicial History of Idaho," accessed June 14, 2024
- ↑ Idaho Legislature,"Idaho Constitution," accessed June 14, 2024
- ↑ Idaho Legislature,"Idaho Constitution," accessed June 14, 2024
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State,"Judicial Branch," accessed June 14, 2024
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Idaho • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Idaho
State courts:
Idaho Supreme Court • Idaho Court of Appeals • Idaho District Courts • Idaho Magistrate Division
State resources:
Courts in Idaho • Idaho judicial elections • Judicial selection in Idaho
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