Supreme Court History

Idaho Territory was created on March 4, 1863, and President Abraham Lincoln appointed the first justices of the Territorial Supreme Court. The territorial court system served as the foundation for Idaho's judiciary until statehood in 1890, when the Idaho Constitution established a three-justice Supreme Court.

Upon statehood, the Supreme Court became the final authority on questions of Idaho law. As the state's population and caseload grew, the Legislature expanded the Court from three to five justices through a constitutional amendment in 1919. This expansion enabled the Court to handle a larger volume of appeals, share the burden of opinion-writing, and maintain consistency as justices changed over time.

The Supreme Court reviews final decisions of the district courts, orders of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, and orders of the Industrial Commission. It also has original jurisdiction over claims against the State and authority to issue writs of review, mandamus, prohibition, and habeas corpus. The Court provides appellate review of Idaho Court of Appeals decisions.

The Supreme Court oversees trial courts statewide, the Idaho Court of Appeals, the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Clerk's Office, and the State Law Library. All chambers, the courtroom, and the library are located in Boise.