More than a decade ago, the Idaho Supreme Court reviewed a case that arose as a result of a disagreement between an Administrative Judge and an elected County Clerk. This case looked back in time to the beginnings of statehood in Idaho, the adoption of our state Constitution and the formation of Idaho’s judicial system. It analyzed the Idaho Constitution and the relative powers that our state Constitution gives to the clerks of the district court and to the judges chambered in those courthouses. The resolution of the dispute is not as important as the fact that this case reminded us that the delivery of court services and justice in our state and through our county courthouses is largely a function of a partnership between the Idaho Judicial Branch and county government.

Over one year ago, I took the assignment of Administrative Judge for the Sixth Judicial District. In doing so, I’ve learned and continue to learn how important good relationships with the elected officials are for the efficient and safe operation of the Courts in each of our counties. Our District is comprised of Bannock, Power, Oneida, Caribou, Franklin and Bear Lake counties. The elected County Clerks, Commissioners and Sheriffs in each of these counties have been a pleasure to work with and provide us with among many things, essential personnel, financial support and security for our courts.

Our judicial district has fourteen judges and all are employees of the state of Idaho. As state employees we are chambered in county courthouses. Bannock County has three District Judges and five Magistrate Judges chambered in two courthouses provided and maintained by Bannock County. Caribou County has one District Judge and one Magistrate Judge chambered in its courthouse. The remaining four counties each have one Magistrate Judge chambered in their respective courthouses. Your District Judges and Magistrate Judges receive case assignments in the other counties in which they are not chambered and the counties each open their doors and provide chambers, security, courtrooms and personnel for the visiting judges to do the court’s business.

The Idaho Supreme Court does provide our county courthouses more than the judges. Through the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Idaho Supreme Court collaborates with local counties to guarantee the delivery of court services and justice across all of Idaho’s seven Judicial Districts. Within each district, the Idaho Supreme Court also employs a team of professional state employees who play a pivotal role in supporting the courts’ day-to-day operations. In addition to the judges, this multifaceted team in our district includes four Court Reporters, a Trial Court Administrator, a Deputy Trial Court Administrator, a District Family Court Services Manager, a District Treatment Court Manager, an IT Field Technician, and a Guardian and Conservator Coordinator. But, the rest and remainder of the supporting staff for the courts in each county are all county employees.

The Idaho Supreme Court does allocate funds to enhance other specific positions within the counties. Noteworthy among these positions is that of the Domestic Violence Court Coordinator, the Court Assistance Officer, and the Treatment Court Coordinators. All of these positions are instrumental in addressing the unique needs of local communities

for help with cases involving domestic violence, self-represented litigants, and those probationers and parolees assigned to the treatment courts.

In a continued effort to partner with the counties, the Idaho Supreme Court extends financial support for other crucial services. This financial assistance includes funding for drug testing for treatment court participants, audio-visual facilities for the courtrooms, IT support, and the provision of computer equipment, enabling state and county employees together to efficiently manage daily court-related tasks.

Article 18, Section 6 of the Idaho Constitution provides that the “auditor and recorder and clerk of the district court shall be empowered by the county commissioners to appoint such deputies and clerical assistance as the business of their office may require, said deputies and clerical assistants to receive such compensation as may be fixed by the county commissioners.” The Idaho Constitution expressly adds local justice partners to the mix — our elected Clerk and our elected County Commissioners and those they employ.

The elected Clerk oversees and employs the Deputy Clerks that the public will meet and/or speak to at any county courthouse. These are the people who accept and input court filings and maintain court records. They answer the phones, respond to emails, help you at the front counter, collect and remit money in the form of fines, court costs, restitution payments and filing fees, and help schedule court hearings. In addition, the elected Clerk oversees and employs the Judicial Assistants who are assigned to the judges. These are the people who are at the front desk at the judge’s chambers. Among other things, they handle court scheduling, keep the minutes during court proceedings, keep track of trial exhibits, make sure audio and video equipment is functioning, administer oaths to witnesses and jurors during trial and draft orders and judgments for the judge’s signature. The elected Clerk also oversees and employs the Jury Commissioner who handles the assembly of juries for jury trials. The Deputy Clerks, the Judicial Assistants and the Jury Commissioners are in fact all shared employees more frequently working under the direction of the judges, but are employed by the County and ultimately are the responsibility of the elected Clerk.

The elected County Commissioners not only budget for any pay for the staff the court needs, they also provide the facilities. They provide the funding to maintain the facilities and most of the funding to improve the facilities. For example, Bannock County has in recent years provided two new courtrooms as part of a larger remodeling project to upgrade courtroom facilities. Our Bannock County Commissioners were among the major supporters for the establishment of the Village, our new Juvenile Assessment and support facility. Bear Lake County has built an entirely new courthouse. Franklin County has extensively expanded and remodeled its courthouse. Oneida, Caribou and Power Counties have also upgraded their courthouse facilities to improve accessibility, among other things.

The fact that these shared employees are employed by each county also implicates the involvement of other county officials and departments. County auditing, personnel and payroll departments also support the courts in their respective roles in county government.

Finally, the elected Sheriff in each county provides courthouse security for the benefit of the public, the county employees and the judges. The courtroom and the courthouse is at times a place where emotions can reach a boiling point, particularly in criminal and family law cases. A well trained security staff of Court Marshals and/or Sheriff’s Deputies work daily to keep order in the county courthouses and to make sure that court proceedings are open and accessible to the public. In addition, the Sheriff arranges to transport inmates to and from court and facilitates video hearings for those criminal defendants who are incarcerated.

The courts of this state are overseen by the Idaho Supreme Court. However, the courts do not stand alone in providing justice services. The courts enjoy the benefit of strong partnerships with county elected officials. Shoulder to shoulder, we provide service to our communities by sharing employees and facilities. On behalf of the Idaho Supreme Court and the state employees who work in our county courthouses, I wish to offer thanks to everyone that we have the opportunity to work with the county courthouses in Bannock, Power, Oneida, Caribou, Franklin and Bear Lake Counties.

I admit it. I am biased. I will tell you what every Administrative Judge from the other six districts will probably tell you. I have the unique privilege to be working with the best. I am counting my blessings. May God bless and keep you all. Happy Holidays!