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Post Falls Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Post Falls, Idaho?

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:

Promoting transparency in law enforcement operations
Enabling public oversight of governmental functions
Providing necessary information for background checks
Supporting journalistic reporting on matters of public concern
Facilitating research on criminal justice trends and patterns

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.

How to Look Up Post Falls Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for members of the public to access arrest records in Post Falls. The primary methods for obtaining these records include:

In-Person Requests

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.

Online Requests

The Post Falls Police Department's Public Records Request portal allows citizens to submit requests electronically. The online system requires:

Full name of the requestor
Contact information
Specific details about the record being requested
Purpose of the request (though this is not legally required)

Court Records

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.

Contents of a Post Falls Arrest Record

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:
- Full legal name
- Known aliases or nicknames
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Geographic location where the arrest occurred
- Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
- Agency case number
Criminal charges:
- Idaho Code sections allegedly violated
- Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor)
- Brief narrative of the alleged criminal activity
- Presence of weapons or contraband
Post-arrest processing:
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Detention facility information
- Bail or bond amount set
- Initial court appearance date
Disposition information:
- Current status of the case
- Court of jurisdiction
- Case number in judicial system

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

Expungement of Arrest Records in Post Falls

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.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals may petition for expungement of Post Falls arrest records if they meet one of the following conditions:

The arrest did not lead to formal charges being filed within one year
The case was dismissed by the prosecutor or the court
The individual was acquitted of all charges at trial
The conviction was vacated or reversed on appeal
The individual received a withheld judgment and successfully completed all terms
The individual was pardoned for the offense

Certain serious offenses, including violent felonies and sex crimes, are generally ineligible for expungement under Idaho law.

Petition Process

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

File a petition with the district court in Kootenai County where the arrest occurred
Provide fingerprints for verification purposes
Pay applicable filing fees (approximately $20-$50)
Attend a hearing before a district judge
Demonstrate that expungement serves the public interest

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.

Legal Implications of Post Falls Arrest Records

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.

Employment Consequences

Idaho is an employment-at-will state, and employers may lawfully consider arrest records when making hiring decisions, subject to the following limitations:

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) requires employer disclosure when background checks are conducted
Idaho Code § 67-9403 prohibits public employers from asking about criminal history on initial job applications
Employers must demonstrate job-relatedness when using arrest records in employment decisions

Housing Access

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:

The alleged conduct is relevant to tenant suitability
The housing provider conducts an individualized assessment
The consideration complies with Fair Housing Act requirements

Professional Licensing

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.

Immigration Consequences

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.