Idaho Arrest Records and Warrant Search

Please fill in the form below to begin your Idaho criminal records search

By searching you certify that you are above 18 years of age

Idaho Arrest Records and Warrant Search

What is an arrest record?

The Bureau of Criminal Identification of Idaho offers information and identification services to the law enforcement and justice community of the state. These services are crucial in the identification of criminal elements and in apprehending them. Furthermore, the information kept by the agency is also used in criminal justice processes including adjudication, prosecution and supervision at the correctional level.

Pursuant to state crime history laws, the BCI has been designated as the authorized collector of crime history data. This is the agency that maintains the central database of arrest records, case dispositions, crime statistics and fingerprints linked to criminal occurrences. In keeping with its role in the justice network of the state, it also coordinates with the State Public Safety and Security System. The Bureau also works as a link between local law enforcement agencies and the National Crime Information Center.

Criminal history records maintained by the BCI are sourced from all law enforcement and judicial agencies in the state. The Automated Fingerprint Identification System that is operated by the agency is fed information by various sheriffs’ departments that collect fingerprints at the time of booking.This is considered as the start of the criminal information recording process.

Arrests that are not backed by fingerprints or such cases, whether criminal or otherwise, where the fingerprints of the accused were not captured are not included in the central crime history database. Hence, there are times when arrest records can be found with the local law enforcement department but not with the statewide agency as they only work on the basis of fingerprints.

The BCI not only interacts with criminal justice agencies at the state and federal level but also it serves the general public through some of its facilities. Since Idaho is a member of the Western Identification Unit, any warrant search launched through the BCI will get you crime results that will encompass 7 other states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. It is also possible to look for crime history records from California through this network. However, applicants are not allowed access to federal data.

Idaho Law section 67-3008 states that private persons and agencies can seek information on crime history from the BCI ad this can be used to conduct background checks for employment, licensing and even personal inquiries. However, the information collected from the agency cannot be disseminated among third parties without signed consent from the subject of the inquiry. Currently, the BCI offers both fingerprint and name based searches for arrest records.

In response to the query, you will be told about the active warrants in the name of the subject, arrest records against him, convictions, sentencing and incarceration. Although such investigations can be conducted without a signed waiver from the subject; without a consent form, you will only be told about arrests that have occurred within one year of the inquiry, unless there is a conviction involved in the matter. Fingerprint searches are undoubtedly more reliable; however, you will need a signed waiver from the subject along with his fingerprints that have been attested by the official who has taken the prints.

What is an arrest warrant?

Title 19 of the Criminal Procedure of Idaho deals with the process of arrest warrant issue. Pursuant to section 19-501, a complaint submitted for the release of an arrest warrant is essentially an allegation made in writing against the accused. This complaint is filed with the office of the magistrate and it is an endeavor to show the judiciary that there is probable cause to suspect the involvement of a person in an act that can be deemed a public offense under the laws of the state.

Any complaint filed to this effect must set forth the case facts as stated by the complaining witness or victim. This information should be aimed at showing probable cause that would justify the accusations being made against the suspect. Section 19-506 explicitly states that an active warrant from ID can only be issued if the magistrate can make a positive determination on the reasonable cause available against the accused.

Outstanding warrants from Idaho are directed at all law enforcement agents whether they are commissioned by the state of ID or any other geographical division of the country. This explains the boundary free reach of arrest warrants which can be served in any part of the nation. However, the magistrate is free to impose geographic restrictions on such orders.

Once issued, arrest warrants stay in effect perpetually hence they can be served at any time after their release. These directives give cops the authority to pursue criminals outside the issuing county. Arrests can be made at any place under such a decree including in the home of the accused or any property owned by him. In fact, not just public properties but also private premises are accessible to cops who are trying to serve these orders.

How to search for an inmate in the Idaho Prison System?

The Idaho Department of Corrections handles the processing of juvenile as well as adult convicts. They run the correctional facilities across the state that house criminals of various risk levels. Their website can be used to launch an inquiry on prisoners who are serving time in the correctional system of ID and even those who have been released recently whether on a conditional basis or after completing their sentence.

To initiate an inquiry of this nature, you will need the name of the inmate or his DOC offender number. As a result of the search, you will be able to find out about the penitentiary in which a particular prisoner is being held and his status in the correctional system including anticipated release or parole dates. Apart from this, you will also be able to find out about the charges that were framed and proved against this person.

For availing this facility, you can visit the website of the agency at https://www.accessidaho.org/public/corr/offender/search.html/. Now, simply insert the appropriate information and click on search to access the results of your inquiry. You can also conduct the investigation in person or through mail. For this, you will have to write to or drive down to the Records Bureau of the Idaho Department of Correction, 1299 N. Orchard Street, Suite 110, Boise, ID 83706.

Who can search for arrest records and warrants in ID?

Idaho is an open records state and as such, within reason, criminal history information is accessible to all. However, it should be noted that inquiries are entertained both with and without subject consent. In case of the latter, the details offered will be limited to arrests from cases that are no more than one year old and matters that have resulted in a conviction.

In contrast, complete criminal history will include details on detentions from cases that ended in acquittal or dismissal and arrest records that are more than one year old but the case has not been disposed. These inquiries can be initiated on the basis of the subject’s name or fingerprints.

How to Request Records Under the Idaho Public Records Act?

For running a name based search through the Idaho Bureau of Criminal Identification, you will need the subject’s name, any aliases, place and date of birth and contact details. Although a name based warrant search can be done without seeking consent from the subject, this will put a limitation on the results you receive, as stated above. In this case, you will only be told about arrests that are no more than one year old unless the matter in which the detention occurred ended in a conviction.

You will be charged $20 for the inquiry. If you can procure a signed waiver from the subject remember that the signature on the document will only remain accurate for a period of 180 days after which you will have to get a new consent form signed. You will need to fill the form given at http://www.isp.idaho.gov/BCI/documents/NameCheck.pdf with information about the subject and about yourself. This should be sent to the agency with a check or money order for $20 plus $1 for processing charge and 3% of the total transaction if the fees are being paid by credit or debit card.

For a fingerprint inquiry, you will need to avail the fingerprinting services of the local sheriff’s office or get in touch with the Idaho State Police at 700 S. Stratford Dr., Suite 120, in Meridian on weekdays from 8 am to 4 pm. They will charge you $10 for the first card and $5 subsequently for every card. The prints will need to bear the signature of the authority/officer who has taken them.

Apart from this, the subject will have to furnish the reason for being fingerprinted. If the applicant is not the subject, you will also need to offer the reasons for the inquiry. The form that can be used for fingerprint searches is available at http://www.isp.idaho.gov/BCI/documents/FP%20Request.pdf. You will be charged $25 for these investigations and a $1 processing fee. For both name based and fingerprint inquiries, you will need to send the duly filled forms with the applicable fees to:

BCI’s Applicant Unit700 S. Stratford Dr. Ste 120Meridian, ID 83642

How Long Does An Arrest Record or Warrant Stay On File In Idaho?

Arrest warrants from ID are not bound by limitations of time; this not only applies to the time at which the order can be served but also to its validity. A detention directive of this nature will not lapse regardless of how much time has passed since its issuance. The release of an active warrant is considered to be the start of criminal proceedings against an offender and once a case is registered with the judiciary, it will have to run its proper course. So, active warrants can stay valid for as long as it takes to bring the accused to books.