A store clerk hands you a ticket, or a police officer gives you a court date for shoplifting. It is easy to assume the situation will stay a minor misdemeanor. However, state law lets prosecutors raise retail theft to a grand theft felony under specific conditions....
In Idaho, drug charges do not all carry the same weight. A simple possession charge means you had a controlled substance on you for personal use. Meanwhile, a trafficking charge constitutes a felony that carries substantially more serious legal consequences. Thus,...
When police pull you over in Idaho, you may wonder if they can search your vehicle. The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures. However, several exceptions allow police to search a vehicle without a warrant. Knowing these exceptions can...
If you face a shoplifting charge, you may worry about what the charge means for your future. Shoplifting generally means taking merchandise from a store without paying for it. In Idaho, the value or type of item involved often determines whether the charge is a...
Most people associate drug trafficking with large operations and organized crime. However, Idaho law sees it differently. What surprises many people is how little it takes to cross the line from possession to trafficking. Understanding this distinction is critical for...
Teens who are arrested are not necessarily bad kids. Often, they are simply young people who made a mistake. It can feel very overwhelming for a parent to get a call saying that their child has been arrested, so it is important to keep this perspective in mind. At the...
Like many states, Idaho is struggling with finding the money needed to keep state programs crucial to residents’ lives and well-being in place. Despite significant budget cuts recently approved, the state legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) has...
Violations of an individual's rights can affect the criminal case against them and the strategy they might opt to use when defending their position in court. Some rights are so important that police officers must advise individuals about these rights during...
If you were riding in a car after drinking alcohol, you may wonder whether police can charge you with driving under the influence (DUI) even though you were not driving. This question comes up during traffic stops, accidents or roadside investigations when officers...
Many people picture one of two types of incidents when they discuss shoplifting. Many people imagine a teenager slipping a few pieces of makeup or some snacks into a coat pocket to leave the store without paying. Other times, they may picture people grabbing...
