Arrest records are public in Post Falls, Idaho, pursuant to the Idaho Public Records Act (Idaho Code § 74-101 et seq.). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within the jurisdiction. The Idaho Public Records Act operates under the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.
The Post Falls Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. These records serve multiple public interest functions, including:
While arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or juvenile records as specified under Idaho Code § 74-105. Members of the public seeking access to arrest records should be aware that the mere presence of an arrest record does not indicate guilt, as all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public to access arrest records in Post Falls. The primary methods for obtaining these records include:
Individuals may submit requests in person at the Post Falls Police Department:
Post Falls Police Department
1717 E Polston Avenue
Post Falls, ID 83854
(208) 773-3517
Official Police Department Website
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Requestors must complete a public records request form and provide proper identification. Pursuant to Idaho Code § 74-102, agencies must respond to requests within three (3) working days.
The Post Falls Police Department's Public Records Request portal allows citizens to submit requests electronically. The online system requires:
For arrest records that have proceeded to court action, the public may access information through:
Kootenai County District Court
324 W Garden Avenue
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
(208) 446-1160
District Court Information
The Idaho Supreme Court also maintains the Idaho Court Case Search system, which provides public access to court records, including those stemming from arrests in Post Falls.
Standard Post Falls arrest records contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. These records typically include the following elements:
Subject identification information:
Arrest details:
Criminal charges:
Post-arrest processing:
Disposition information:
The Post Falls Legal Services Department maintains coordination between law enforcement records and the judicial system for cases proceeding to prosecution. This department is located at:
Post Falls Legal Services Department
408 N Spokane Street, 2nd Floor
Post Falls, ID 83854
(208) 773-0215
Idaho law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed by Idaho Code § 67-3004, which establishes the procedures for expungement petitions.
Individuals may petition for expungement of Post Falls arrest records if they meet one of the following conditions:
Certain serious offenses, including violent felonies and sex crimes, are generally ineligible for expungement under Idaho law.
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
If granted, an expungement order directs all relevant agencies, including the Post Falls Police Department, to seal the records from public view. However, these records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.
The Kootenai County District Court processes expungement petitions for arrests that occurred within Post Falls city limits. Legal assistance is advisable but not required for this process.
Arrest records, while public, carry significant legal implications for the individuals named therein. These implications extend beyond the immediate criminal justice process and may affect various aspects of civic life.
Idaho is an employment-at-will state, and employers may lawfully consider arrest records when making hiring decisions, subject to the following limitations:
Landlords and property management companies in Post Falls frequently conduct background checks that may reveal arrest records. Federal housing regulations (24 CFR § 982.553) permit housing providers to consider arrest records when:
Numerous professional licensing boards in Idaho, including those governing healthcare, education, and financial services, require disclosure of arrest records. The Post Falls City Government coordinates with state licensing authorities regarding arrests that may affect professional credentials.
Non-citizens with arrest records in Post Falls may face additional scrutiny during immigration proceedings. Under federal immigration law (8 U.S.C. § 1227), even arrests that do not result in conviction may trigger removal proceedings under certain circumstances.