Ada County Jail has launched a new education-based initiative aimed at reducing recidivism and improving reentry outcomes for individuals in custody. In partnership with the National Sheriffs’ Association, the jail has adopted the IGNITE program — Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education — becoming the third Idaho facility to implement it, following the Bonneville…
As part of renewed deportation efforts, the Trump administration has pushed states to provide personal data from voter rolls, driver’s license records, Medicaid, and food assistance programs, while also working to consolidate information across federal agencies into a centralized database. For individuals facing criminal charges or immigration concerns, this growing coordination raises serious Fourth Amendment…
Idaho’s mental health court programs have helped hundreds of people rebuild their lives, but new state budget cuts could put those programs at risk. One Twin Falls father credits mental health court with saving his life. After the death of his younger brother, he spiraled into depression and alcoholism. During a crisis, he attempted to…
Across the country, thousands of children are pushed into the adult criminal justice system through a practice known as automatic charging. In 28 states and Washington, D.C., certain charges and age thresholds require prosecutors to file cases against youth directly in adult court—without any meaningful judicial review. This policy ignores decades of research on adolescent…
Idaho’s prisons are beyond capacity, and the consequences are hitting taxpayers, families, and the justice system all at once. New budget figures from the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) show the state is incarcerating more than 10,000 people despite having space for just over 8,200 in its prisons. When beds run out, Idaho sends people…
One of the most basic promises in the Constitution is simple: the government does not get to kick in your door without a judge’s permission. That principle is not symbolic — it is the core protection of the Fourth Amendment. A newly revealed internal ICE directive suggests the federal government may be trying to sidestep…
A federal judge in California ruled that the Trump administration unlawfully terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 60,000 immigrants from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua. In a sharply worded 52-page decision, U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson found that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem failed to follow required federal procedures when ending the…
Idaho lawmakers are considering major changes to the state’s child custody laws that could significantly affect how custody disputes intersect with the criminal justice system. A legislative task force is preparing proposals to completely rewrite Idaho’s child custody statute, including stronger enforcement mechanisms and new criminal penalties tied to custody violations. Among the key proposals…
In a troubling new collaboration between Idaho State Police (ISP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), more than 50 Idaho residents have been transported to ICE detention facilities under Gov. Brad Little’s initiative, “Operation No Return.” The governor’s office claims the effort targets “dangerous illegal alien criminals,” but a review by the Idaho Capital Sun…
For the second year in a row, the nation’s prison population has increased, a notable reversal after more than a decade of steady decline. According to new data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1,254,224 people were incarcerated in state and federal prisons at the end of 2023, marking a 2% increase from the previous…
Marijuana users have come a long way from apple pipes and pop cans. Dab pens emerged in the early 2010s, evolving from e-cigarette and vape pen technology originally designed for nicotine. As cannabis concentrates became more widely used, consumers sought a safer, more convenient alternative to traditional “dabbing,” which required a torch and glass rig.…
A federal judge in Massachusetts has rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to cut Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood-affiliated health clinics, a move seen by critics as a targeted political attack rather than a policy decision. Judge Indira Talwani ruled that the government’s proposed restrictions—set to expire in 2026—likely violate constitutional rights including equal protection and…
Since 2022, Idaho has implemented sweeping reforms to its public defense system, shifting from a fragmented county-based model to a centralized, state-funded Office of the Public Defender. These changes, finalized in October 2024, aimed to address long-standing constitutional concerns about inadequate legal representation for indigent defendants. Now, the Idaho Supreme Court is reviewing whether the…
Recently disclosed documents reveal that, under the directive of President Donald Trump, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi privately assured at least 10 major tech companies — including Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and others — that they would not face legal consequences for continuing to support TikTok, despite a federal law banning the app due to…
For the first time in a decade, Boise’s Basque Block will come alive once again with the sights, sounds, and spirit of Jaialdi — one of the largest Basque cultural festivals in the world. Running from July 29 to August 3, the six-day celebration will welcome tens of thousands of visitors to honor the vibrant…
Idaho is taking a major leap forward in public safety. On July 10, the Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission approved a $15 million grant to upgrade the state’s outdated analog 911 system to Next Generation 911 (NG911)—a secure, digital network that will dramatically improve emergency response capabilities across the state. This new system will enable…
On Saturday, millions of Americans across all 50 states took to the streets in a sweeping rebuke of Donald Trump’s increasingly authoritarian second term. The “No Kings” protests, organized by a coalition of over 100 groups, drew demonstrators to more than 2,100 locations nationwide, voicing unified opposition to the president’s abuse of power, militarized governance,…
The Idaho State Police have entered a new agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that allows state officers to assist in deporting individuals who have completed criminal sentences and lack legal immigration status. Under the federal 287(g) program, Idaho will bypass the standard release process and instead transport these individuals directly from state…
Are you thinking about buying an electric bicycle or e-bike for yourself or a loved one? Be sure to understand the capabilities of that electric bicycle before buying, so that you are in compliance with Idaho laws and local regulations regarding its use and registration requirements. Electric bicycles are defined in Idaho Code 49-106(1). An…
Earlier in 2025, Idaho legislators passed a bill allowing the death penalty in cases of aggravated lewd conduct involving children under the age of 12, despite a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that such punishments for non-homicide crimes are unconstitutional. The law, set to take effect in July, introduces a new offense—aggravated lewd conduct under…
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is likely to ramp up enforcement of registration requirements for foreign nationals that remain in the United States for more than 30 days. Earlier this month, DHS issued a press release reminding all foreign nationals in the United States longer than 30 days that their deadline to comply with…
In a significant but narrow ruling, an Idaho state judge slightly broadened access to abortion in the state by clarifying that a woman doesn’t have to be on the brink of death to qualify for an abortion under Idaho’s near-total ban. Judge Jason D. Scott ruled that doctors can legally perform an abortion if they…
The use of DNA evidence in criminal investigations has long been considered a hallmark of modern forensics, offering a powerful tool for linking suspects to crime scenes. However, the growing reliance on touch-transfer DNA—genetic material left behind on surfaces and objects through casual contact—has raised significant concerns within the forensic community. While it can help…
The Idaho Senate recently approved a bill that bans sleeping outside or in cars in public areas, such as sidewalks, parks, and other public property, in cities with more than 100,000 residents. The legislation criminalizes camping in these areas 24 hours a day and allows the Idaho Attorney General to take action if cities don’t…
Governor Brad Little of Idaho signed House Bill 37 into law, making Idaho the only state to use a firing squad as its main method of execution. The law, effective July 1, 2026, was passed with broad support in the Idaho Legislature, with the Senate approving it 28-7 and the House 58-11. The bill directs…
Suicides in jails are a growing and deeply concerning issue, with many facilities across the country struggling to prevent these tragic events. Incarcerated individuals, often facing mental health challenges and isolation, are at a higher risk of taking their own lives. Despite efforts to address the problem, too many jails continue to fail in providing…
A new bill introduced by House Speaker Mike Moyle would make it a felony to speak “recklessly” about another person. The bill, which has already been presented to the House State Affairs Committee, would impose extreme penalties, including up to a $100,000 fine, five years in prison, or both for “communicating to a person. .…
Yes, marijuana is still illegal in Idaho with no exceptions. Although most of our surrounding states have legalized marijuana to some extent, it remains a crime to possess any amount of marijuana in Idaho. Law enforcement can and do charge individuals for possession of marijuana, and driving under the influence of marijuana. Many people are caught with marijuana…
A new immigration bill in Idaho, House Bill 83, is set to move to the House floor after approval from the State Affairs Committee. This bill, devised to regulate unauthorized immigration, classifies a first offense as a misdemeanor and a second offense as a felony. Proponents claim law enforcement would only be allowed to enforce…
The ACLU of Idaho is urging the Idaho Supreme Court to step in and address what it calls a public defense crisis, alleging that the State’s recent overhaul of its public defense system is leaving indigent defendants without proper legal representation. After Idaho transitioned to a statewide public defender agency in October, mass resignations due…
In Idaho, harsh drug sentences are a significant driver behind the rising rates of female incarceration. Over the past few decades, the state’s tough-on-crime policies, particularly regarding drug-related offenses, have led to an alarming increase in the number of women behind bars. Many of these women are incarcerated for non-violent offenses, often related to addiction…
Idaho’s public defense system is about to undergo a seismic shift, leaving many attorneys and officials concerned about the future of legal representation in the state. Beginning Oct. 1, a system 10 years in the making will give the newly formed State Public Defender office broad control over county public defense services. The changes, made…
I need to be able to protect my patients’ lives, their health and future fertility without fear of becoming a felon, writes guest columnist Kylie Cooper. Read more here.
[A]n estimated 5,127 women in Idaho won’t have the option to seek abortion care out of state because of parole or probation, according to a report by the Prison Policy Initiative…
Gerald B. Cummings Jr. was pronounced dead at 3:38a.m. Saturday, December 11. His cellmate, Colton J. Reagan was charged with first degree murder. Cumming was found unresponsive with injuries that appeared to be consistent with a beating. After Ada County Sheriff’s Office conducted interviews, they concluded Reagan, a 25-year-old and Cummings Jr., a 57-year-old, were…
Julius Jones was sentenced to death after the July 28, 1999, murder of Paul Howell. He is scheduled to die November 18 for a murder that he, for decades, maintained he did not commit. A Pardon and Parole Board has recommended twice that Jones’ death sentence be commuted to life with possibility of parole. However,…
It is usually standard procedure to include a suspect’s mugshot in any crime story. However, multiple discussions have led KTVB to change their mugshot policy. KTVB will no longer include suspect’s mugshots in certain online and on-air news coverage due to media ethics and journalism best practice. Discussion amongst journalist have come to realize that…
Richard Bronson is the founder and CEO of 70 Million Jobs, which focuses on helping anyone with a criminal record to secure a job. Mr. Bronson was sentenced to 2 years in prison after he was part of the infamous Wolf of Wall Street firm, Stratton Oakmont. He knew what he was doing was crooked…
When you think about prison, do you think about tenderness, caring and connection? They’re not common, but they’re here, in the Washington State Reformatory. While Christopher Blackwell, a fellow inmate, went on a run he began spotting bunnies at every turn. Bunnies from different colors and sizes, some spotted, others fully white, black, or light…
In the wake of three police shootings this summer, Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee explains how the Critical Incident Task Force operates. Five agencies – Boise, Meridian, and Garden City Police, Ada County Sheriff’s Office and the Idaho State Police – joined forces to investigate critical incidents, such as police shootings, death in custody or…
For police and prosecutors, often perceived as the engines of public safety, human caging is the primary tool in their tool kit. People who have served time in prison are less likely to succeed than people who have never been in the system; that is because confinement is seemingly designed to destroy mental health. In…
Idaho prisons are working at 76% capacity, with over 180 positions vacant within the nine prisons in Idaho. Correctional officers are burned out, overworked, under paid and dropping like flies. Workers usually work 12-hour shifts and are now being subjected to mandatory overtime with 16-hour work shifts; leaving workers with 8-hours to eat, sleep, take…
Strong track records practicing law in Idaho and contributing to our communities are few of the reasons why Governor Little decided to appoint Matthew Roker and Derrick O’Neill as district judges for the Third Judicial District and the Fourth Judicial District, respectively. Read More
A long history of using racial, ethnic, and national origin as a proxy for national security threats, leads the FBI to charge scientist, Anming Hu, from the University of Tennessee, with 6 counts of wire fraud and making false statements in connection with a NASA grant. Juror 33, Wendy Chandler, expressed her discontent with how…
“If you can’t process instructions, sometimes you are physically forced to comply.” People in jail experience mental disabilities at a high rate and most go without reporting them. This makes people vulnerable in prison. Inmates with mental disabilities are subject to mistreatment by other inmates and even jail staff. Solitary confinement is being used on…
Society fears the risks facial recognition is posing around New York. NYPD is using more 15,000 public and private cameras around the city to track people in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Technology has been known to be biased against women and people of color. This type of bias threatens the right to peaceful protest,…
Fear of overwhelming the courts with resentencing cases compels prosecutors and judges to rethink the DVSJA. Creating a multi-step application process to resentence incarcerated survivors of domestic violence found to be more complicated to prove. The application process requires survivors to demonstrate official documents, such as medical records, police reports, or domestic violence shelter intakes,…
PEN America probably had no idea of the intimacy it kindled when it introduced a star children’s author with an incarcerated Black Panther. Click article to learn more.
Idaho’s former United States Attorney Bart Davis has thrown his hat into the ring for Idaho’s soon-to-be open position on the Supreme Court of Idaho. Read more
As the state attempts to address a backlog of more than 40,000 cases, Covid numbers are making it difficult to resume jury trials: Read more
The criminal system can seem procedurally complex with many moving players and parts. While defense attorneys can lead someone through this system, it often takes all of a persons’ health providers, clinicians, and family or other support networks to keep a defendant’s life on track. Criminal cases can sometimes require months or even years of…
The Supreme Court of Idaho has paused jury trials indefinitely and issued an Order that a trial delay due to the current global pandemic should not be counted as violating a person’s right to a speedy trial. Jury trials in Idaho delayed until 2021 amid rising COVID-19 cases | ktvb.com Idaho courts operating at reduced…
Mental health providers often have ideas and solutions for how to keep someone struggling with a mental illness out of the justice system. It can be an attorney’s job to translate a proper plan of treatment to a court so the judge may have hope that it is safe to commit someone accused of or…
We are seeing and hearing that most people confined to an institution at the moment have been exposed to the novel coronavirus or have or are recovered from Covid-19. Idaho’s institutions are unable to provide social distancing, placing both incarcerated people and the community-at-large at risk. Limiting the spread of COVID-19 in justice institutions –…