Criminal records in Bonner County, Idaho, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. BonnerCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The Bonner County Clerk's Office maintains court records for infraction, misdemeanor, and felony cases filed in the county, while the Idaho Supreme Court's iCourt Portal and the Bureau of Criminal Identification at Idaho State Police offer additional statewide search and criminal history resources.
How to Search Criminal Records in Bonner County
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Bonner County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need official or certified documents.
Online Search Options
- BonnerCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases filed in Bonner County.
- Idaho iCourt Portal — The Idaho Supreme Court provides an online court records portal where you can search case information statewide, including Bonner County cases. You can search by party name or case number.
- Idaho Department of Correction — Use the Resident/Client Search tool to look up individuals currently or formerly under state correctional supervision. Partial name searches are accepted with at least two characters.
- Idaho State Police — Criminal History — The BCI criminal history repository maintains fingerprint-based arrest records reported by Idaho criminal justice agencies. Individuals and non-criminal-justice agencies can request records through the fingerprinting and background check process.
In Person
Visit the Bonner County Clerk's Office — Court Operations division in Sandpoint. Public access terminals or staff assistance may be available to help you look up case records. The office can assist with research between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
By Mail or Written Request
- Clerk of Court: Send a written request to the Bonner County Clerk's Office at the address above. Include the full name of the individual, date of birth if known, and the case number if available.
- State Criminal History: For a formal criminal history check, submit a fingerprint-based request to the Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification. Details are available on the BCI website.
- Public Records Request: Bonner County accepts public records requests under Idaho Code § 74-102, which gives the public the right to review or copy public documents.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required)
- Case number (if searching a specific case)
- IDOC number (for Idaho Department of Correction searches)
Search Bonner County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Idaho uses a standardized case number format across its unified court system. A typical case number looks like this:
- CR11-24-01234
Here is what each part means:
| Segment | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CR | Case type — "CR" indicates a criminal case. Other prefixes include "CV" (civil) and "JV" (juvenile). |
| 11 | County code — "11" is the numeric code assigned to Bonner County within Idaho's judicial system. |
| 24 | Year filed — The two-digit year the case was opened (e.g., 2024). |
| 01234 | Sequential case number — Assigned in order as cases are filed during that year. |
Enter the full case number into the iCourt Portal or provide it to the clerk's office to pull up case details directly. Using the case number avoids confusion when multiple individuals share the same name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Bonner County
Charges
- Statute codes: Each charge references an Idaho Code section (e.g., I.C. § 18-8001 for DUI).
- Severity levels: Charges are classified as felony, misdemeanor, or infraction. Felonies carry potential prison time of one year or more; misdemeanors carry up to one year in county jail; infractions are non-jailable offenses.
- Amended charges: Prosecutors may amend charges during the case. Both original and amended charges typically appear in the case record.
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | The case has been filed but not yet resolved. |
| Active | Proceedings are ongoing — hearings, motions, or trial are scheduled. |
| Disposed | The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.). |
| Closed | All obligations (fines, probation, sentencing terms) have been completed. |
Hearings
- Arraignment: The defendant is formally informed of charges and enters an initial plea.
- Preliminary hearing: In felony cases, a magistrate determines whether enough evidence exists to send the case to district court.
- Pre-trial conference: A meeting between the parties and the judge to discuss case status, potential plea agreements, and trial readiness.
- Sentencing: The judge imposes penalties after a guilty plea or conviction at trial.
- Review hearing: A follow-up hearing to check compliance with probation or other court-ordered conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict. |
| Not Guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial. |
| Dismissed | The court or prosecution dropped the charges. |
| Withheld Judgment | The court delays entering a judgment of conviction, often with probation conditions. If conditions are met, the charge may be dismissed. |
| Acquitted | A formal finding of not guilty, typically after trial. |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Bonner County
From the Bonner County Clerk's Office
The Bonner County Clerk serves as the Clerk of the District Court and is responsible for maintaining criminal case files. You can request certified copies of court documents in the following ways:
- In person: Visit the Court Operations office at 215 South First Avenue, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864. Bring a valid photo ID.
- By mail: Send a written request to the same address. Include the case number, the specific documents requested, your contact information, and payment for applicable fees.
- Public records request: Submit a formal request through the county's public records request page, citing Idaho Code § 74-102.
From Idaho State Police (Statewide Criminal History)
For a fingerprint-based criminal history record, submit your request through the Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification. This process requires:
- A completed fingerprint card or electronic fingerprint submission
- A signed release form (for non-criminal-justice requests)
- Valid government-issued photo identification
- Payment of applicable fees
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Bonner County
Fees for criminal record copies and background checks in Bonner County and Idaho are set by statute and local fee schedules. The table below lists commonly applicable fees.
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court record (per page) | $1.00 | Idaho Code § 31-3201 |
| Certification of a document | $1.00 per certificate | Idaho Code § 31-3201 |
| State criminal history check (name-based) | Varies — contact ISP BCI | Idaho State Police BCI |
| State criminal history check (fingerprint-based) | Varies — contact ISP BCI | Idaho State Police BCI |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the clerk's office: Often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on complexity.
- Mail requests to the clerk's office: Typically 5–10 business days after receipt, though times may vary based on volume.
- Idaho State Police criminal history checks: Processing times vary. Fingerprint-based checks generally take longer than name-based inquiries. Contact BCI directly for current turnaround estimates.
- Public records requests: Under Idaho Code § 74-103, agencies must respond within three business days of receiving a request, though the actual production of records may take additional time.
Fees are generally due at the time of the request. The clerk's office can confirm accepted payment methods and any additional costs for mailing or expedited processing.