Arrest records are public documents in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, pursuant to the Idaho Public Records Act (Idaho Code § 74-101 et seq.). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Idaho Public Records Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability within law enforcement agencies throughout the state.
The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office and the Coeur d'Alene Police Department maintain arrest records as part of their official duties. These records document interactions between law enforcement and individuals suspected of criminal activity within the jurisdiction. While most arrest information is publicly available, certain records may be restricted if they contain sensitive information related to ongoing investigations, juvenile matters, or other statutorily protected categories as outlined in Idaho Code § 74-105.
Members of the public seeking arrest records must submit their requests in accordance with established procedures. Government agencies are required to respond to such requests within three working days, though this period may be extended to ten working days for larger or more complex requests as permitted under Idaho Code § 74-103(1).
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Coeur d'Alene, each with specific protocols established by the relevant authorities. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following options:
• In-person requests at the Coeur d'Alene Police Department or the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, where requestors must complete standardized forms and may be required to present identification.
• Online access through official government portals maintained by local law enforcement agencies, which typically require user registration and acceptance of terms of service.
• Written requests submitted via postal mail to the records division of the appropriate agency, accompanied by required documentation and applicable fees.
• Third-party aggregator websites that compile public records from multiple sources, though users should note that such services may charge fees and the information provided may not be as current as official sources.
Coeur d'Alene Police Department
3818 N. Schreiber Way
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815
(208) 769-2320
City of Coeur d'Alene Police Department
Kootenai County Sheriff's Office
5500 N. Government Way
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815
(208) 446-1300
Kootenai County Sheriff's Office
Fees for record retrieval are established pursuant to Idaho Code § 74-102(10), which permits agencies to charge for the direct labor costs associated with locating and copying records when the request exceeds 100 pages or requires more than two hours of labor. Current fee schedules are available at the respective agency offices or on their official websites.
Standard arrest records maintained by Coeur d'Alene law enforcement agencies contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. These documents typically include:
• Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, and physical descriptors such as height, weight, eye color, and hair color.
• Temporal and geographical information pertaining to the arrest, including the date, time, and specific location where the apprehension occurred.
• Detailed enumeration of all criminal charges filed against the individual, with reference to the applicable Idaho Code sections allegedly violated.
• Identity of the arresting agency and the name or badge number of the arresting officer(s).
• Booking information, including the facility where the individual was processed and any assigned identification numbers.
• Photographic documentation (commonly referred to as a "mugshot") taken during the booking process.
• Biometric data, primarily fingerprints, collected at the time of booking.
• Demographic classifications including gender, race, and ethnicity as recorded by law enforcement personnel.
• Custody status information, indicating whether the individual was released on bail, held in detention, or released on their own recognizance.
It should be noted that pursuant to Idaho Code § 67-3004, certain information within arrest records may be redacted prior to public disclosure, particularly when such information might compromise ongoing investigations or infringe upon protected privacy interests.
The State of Idaho provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Idaho Code § 67-3004. Individuals seeking expungement in Coeur d'Alene must navigate a structured legal process administered by the First Judicial District Court of Idaho.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
• Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of all charges.
• Arrests that did not lead to the filing of formal charges within the statutory timeframe.
• Successful completion of diversion programs or deferred prosecution agreements.
• Certain non-violent offenses after specified waiting periods, contingent upon the absence of subsequent criminal activity.
The expungement procedure requires petitioners to:
• File a formal petition with the First Judicial District Court located at 324 W. Garden Avenue, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.
• Provide certified copies of relevant court documents demonstrating eligibility.
• Submit to fingerprinting for verification purposes.
• Pay applicable filing fees, currently set at $159.00 for most petitions.
• Attend a scheduled court hearing where a judge will evaluate the merits of the petition.
Upon judicial approval, an order of expungement will be issued directing all relevant agencies, including the Coeur d'Alene Police Department, Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, and Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification, to seal the specified records from public view. It should be noted that pursuant to Idaho Code § 67-3004(10), certain governmental entities may retain access to expunged records for specific administrative purposes.
Individuals with complex expungement cases are advised that the Idaho State Bar Association maintains a referral service for qualified attorneys specializing in record clearance matters.