Criminal Justice

in committee · Idaho · Senate Feb 17, 2026

S 1298: SELF-DEFENSE – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding immunity and reimbursement for justifiable homicide and defense of self, others, and certain places.

S 1298 establishes legal immunity from criminal prosecution for individuals who use force (including deadly force) in self-defense, defense of others, or defense of certain places when justified under Idaho law. It requires courts to dismiss criminal charges if the use of force is shown to be justified, and mandates counties to reimburse individuals for legal fees, lost wages, and other expenses if the case is dismissed or they are found not guilty. The bill also requires automatic expungement of criminal records related to the case, treating the person as if the arrest and prosecution never occurred. These provisions apply to any person, including businesses, who lawfully defend themselves, others, or specific locations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides immunity for justified self-defense, requiring charge dismissal and reimbursing defendants, protecting civil rights in criminal procedure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

Track

signed · Idaho · House Mar 20, 2026

H 698: VOTING – Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding voting by persons convicted of felonies in other states.

Idaho's H 698 amends Section 18-310 of the Idaho Code to allow individuals convicted of felonies in other states (excluding treason) to register and vote in Idaho upon completing their sentence (final discharge). This directly affects out-of-state felons who have served their full sentence, granting them voting rights they previously lacked under Idaho law. The bill explicitly states these individuals "shall not have the right restored to ship, transport, possess or receive a firearm" in the same manner as Idaho felons, but does not alter firearm restrictions. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for out-of-state felons post-sentence, aligning with civil rights and correctional reform indicators under criminal justice policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Firearms

signed · Idaho · Senate Mar 26, 2026

S 1311: IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEMS – Amends existing law to establish provisions regarding ignition interlock systems.

This bill requires courts to mandate ignition interlock devices for certain DUI offenders in Idaho. Specifically, it orders convicted drivers (who had suspended sentences) to install state-approved devices on all their vehicles at their own expense, preventing cars from starting if alcohol is detected above a .025 BAC level. The device must be certified by the transportation department, and courts may help cover costs for those demonstrating financial hardship. The restriction lasts one year from when the device is proven installed, and fees collected fund a dedicated court device account.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates ignition interlocks for DUI offenders to prevent repeat offenses, reducing recidivism - a key criminal justice reform goal.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 575: STATE CONTROLLER – Amends existing law to provide that the State Controller shall publish a list of asset forfeitures and to provide that law enforcement shall report asset forfeiture information to the State Controller.

H 575 requires Idaho's State Controller to publish a public list of property seized through asset forfeiture cases. It mandates that state, county, and local law enforcement agencies report asset forfeiture details to the State Controller. The law applies specifically to property seized under Idaho's controlled substances laws (as defined in Section 37-2744). This creates a centralized, transparent record of these seizures for public access.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates public transparency in asset forfeiture, enhancing law enforcement accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

signed · Idaho · House Mar 25, 2026

H 727: SEX CRIMES – Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding video voyeurism and to revise a penalty for disclosing explicit synthetic media.

H 727 updates Idaho's laws on video voyeurism and the disclosure of realistic computer-generated media (like deepfakes). It revises definitions to better protect privacy, clarifying what constitutes "intimate areas" and places where people reasonably expect privacy, such as changing rooms or bedrooms. The bill creates a new offense for knowingly sharing synthetic media depicting an identifiable person in sexual acts or intimate areas without consent - this is a misdemeanor, but becomes a felony (up to 10 years in prison or $25,000 fine) if the victim is under 18 or the person has a prior conviction. This directly affects individuals who create or share such media without consent and law enforcement handling related cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new offense for non-consensual deepfakes and clarifies privacy protections, strengthening victim safeguards under sex offenses law.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill criminalizes non-consensual deepfake sharing to protect privacy, directly addressing synthetic media misuse under tech regulation for consumer safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

passed · Idaho · House Feb 13, 2026

H 579: JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE – Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding justifiable homicide.

This bill amends Idaho's justifiable homicide law (Section 18-4009) to clarify when force is justified in defense of property or persons. It directly affects individuals claiming self-defense during unlawful entries into homes, businesses, or vehicles. The key change adds a presumption: if someone unlawfully enters a habitation, business, or vehicle by force or stealth, they are presumed to intend to commit a felony. This shifts the burden of proof in such cases, making it easier to establish self-defense under specific entry scenarios. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill shifts burden of proof to prosecution in self-defense claims, strengthening defendant rights under criminal justice procedures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

Track

signed · Idaho · Senate Mar 30, 2026

S 1260: IMMIGRATION COOPERATION AND ENFORCEMENT ACT – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding illegal entry, to remove provisions regarding illegal entry, and to provide for certain affirmative defenses.

This Idaho bill (S 1260) revises state laws governing immigration enforcement. It removes outdated provisions about illegal entry, clarifies definitions (like "illegal alien" and "dangerous crime"), and changes penalties: first illegal entry becomes a misdemeanor, repeat offenses a felony. The law requires police to enforce these rules only when someone is detained for unrelated crimes, and adds specific defenses (e.g., having federal permission to stay, asylum status, or DACA approval between 2012-2021). It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces first illegal entry to misdemeanor, adds asylum/DACA defenses, aligns with reform by limiting criminalization and protecting rights.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAdds affirmative defenses for DACA/asylum holders, shielding them from state prosecution under immigration enforcement, aligning with 'protect DACA recipients' indicator.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

signed · Idaho · House Apr 1, 2026

H 522: UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding unmanned aircraft systems near Department of Correction facilities.

H 522 establishes a "drone no-fly zone" around Idaho's correctional facilities, creating a 400-foot restricted airspace above prison grounds. It prohibits drones from operating in this zone for any illegal or dangerous purpose (like spying or smuggling), making violations a misdemeanor punishable by fines of $2,000-$5,000 or up to one year in jail. Correctional facilities and law enforcement may use legal methods - such as jamming or physical capture - to disrupt drones operating "in a nefarious manner" within this zone. The law requires drone operators to know these restrictions, with ignorance not excused as a defense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens prison security by prohibiting drones near facilities to prevent smuggling/spying, directly supporting correctional safety within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

in committee · Idaho · House Jan 21, 2026

H 499: UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding unmanned aircraft systems near Department of Correction facilities.

Idaho's H 499 prohibits drones within two nautical miles of correctional facility boundaries, defining this area as "restricted airspace." The law allows correctional facilities and law enforcement to use countermeasures like jamming or physical capture to disable drones operating illegally near prisons, and requires drone operators to know these restrictions. Violators face fines of $2,000-$5,000 or up to one year in jail, plus forfeiture of the drone. The bill directly affects drone operators near prisons and grants authorities clear legal tools to address security threats.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirectly enhances prison security by restricting drone access near correctional facilities, strengthening operational safety within the corrections system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

Track

signed · Idaho · Senate Mar 18, 2026

S 1232: CRIME VICTIMS – Repeals and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding proceeds derived from criminal notoriety.

This bill repeals Idaho Code section 19-5301 and establishes Chapter 63, the "Idaho Son of Sam Law," requiring payments to offenders from crime-related publicity (e.g., book deals, interviews, or paid appearances) to be placed into a state escrow account for five years. Victims of crimes can claim these funds through court orders during the escrow period, while offenders receive any remaining money after five years if no valid claims are filed. The law explicitly excludes regular wages, unrelated income, works that only briefly mention the crime, and news/documented works with standard interview fees. It clarifies the law regulates only money earned from crime publicity, not free speech, and imposes civil penalties for noncompliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates victim compensation from offender proceeds via escrow, aligning with victim protection in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights