Idaho § 20-525A - Expungement of record - Hearing - Findings necessary - Special index - Effect of order

Full text of Idaho Idaho Statutes § 20-525A — Expungement of record - Hearing - Findings necessary - Special index - Effect of order, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 20-525A. Expungement of record - Hearing - Findings necessary - Special index - Effect of order

(1) Any person who has been adjudicated in a case under this act and found to be within the purview of the act for having committed a felony offense or having been committed to the department of juvenile corrections may, after the expiration of three (3) years from the date of termination of the continuing jurisdiction of the court, or if the juvenile offender was committed to the juvenile correctional center then three (3) years from the date of his release from the juvenile correctional center, or after reaching age eighteen (18) years, whichever occurs last, petition the court for the expungement of his record. Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall set a date for a hearing and shall notify the prosecuting attorney of the pendency of the petition and of the date of the hearing. The prosecuting attorney and any other person who may have relevant information about the petitioner may testify at the hearing.

(2) Any person who has been adjudicated in a case under this act and found to be within the purview of the act for having committed misdemeanor or status offenses only and not having been committed to the department of juvenile corrections may, after the expiration of one (1) year from the date of termination of the continuing jurisdiction of the court or after reaching age eighteen (18) years, whichever occurs later, petition the court for the expungement of his record. Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall set a date for a hearing and shall notify the prosecuting attorney of the pendency of the petition and the date of the hearing. The prosecuting attorney and any other person who may have relevant information about the petitioner may testify at the hearing.

(3) In any case where the prosecuting attorney has elected to utilize the diversion process or the court orders an informal adjustment, the person may, after the expiration of one (1) year from the date of termination of the continuing jurisdiction of the court or after reaching age eighteen (18) years, whichever occurs later, petition the court for the expungement of his record. Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall set a date for a hearing and shall notify the prosecuting attorney of the pendency of the petition and the date of the hearing. The prosecuting attorney and any other person who may have relevant information about the petitioner may testify at the hearing.

(4) A parent or guardian of a juvenile for whom a hearing is being held pursuant to this section who is appearing before or testifying at such hearing shall not be required to be represented by an attorney.

(5) The court may not expunge a conviction for any of the following crimes from a juvenile offender’s record:

(a) Administering poison with intent to kill ( 18-4014 , Idaho Code);

(b) Aggravated battery ( 18-907 , Idaho Code);

(c) Armed robbery ( chapter 65, title 18 , Idaho Code);

(d) Arson ( chapter 8, title 18 , Idaho Code);

(e) Assault with intent to commit a serious felony ( 18-909 , Idaho Code);

(f) Assault with intent to murder ( 18-4015 , Idaho Code);

(g) Assault or battery upon certain personnel, felony ( 18-915 , Idaho Code);

(h) Forcible sexual penetration by use of a foreign object ( 18-6604 , Idaho Code);

(i) Injury to child, felony ( 18-1501 , Idaho Code);

(j) Kidnapping ( 18-4501 , Idaho Code);

(k) Murder of any degree ( 18-4001 and 18-4003 , Idaho Code);

(l) Rape, excluding statutory rape ( 18-6101 , Idaho Code);

(m) Ritualized abuse of a child ( 18-1506A , Idaho Code);

(n) Sexual exploitation of a child ( 18-1507 , Idaho Code);

(o) Unlawful use of destructive device or bomb ( 18-3320 , Idaho Code);

(p) Voluntary manslaughter ( 18-4006 1., Idaho Code);

(q) A violation of the provisions of section 37-2732 (a)(1)(A), (B) or (C), Idaho Code, when the violation occurred on or within one thousand (1,000) feet of the property of any public or private primary or secondary school, or in those portions of any building, park, stadium or other structure or grounds that were, at the time of the violation, being used for an activity sponsored by or through such a school; or

(r) A violation of the provisions of section 37-2732B , Idaho Code, related to drug trafficking or manufacturing of illegal drugs.

(6) If the court finds after hearing that the petitioner has not been adjudicated as a juvenile offender for any of the crimes identified in subsection (5) of this section and has not been convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor wherein violence toward another person was attempted or committed since the termination of the court’s jurisdiction or his release from the juvenile correctional center and that no proceeding involving such felony or misdemeanor is pending or being instituted against him, and if the court further finds to its satisfaction that the petitioner has been held accountable, is developing life skills necessary to become a contributing member of the community, and that the expungement of the petitioner’s record will not compromise public safety, it shall order all records in the petitioner’s case in the custody of the court and all such records, including law enforcement investigatory reports and fingerprint records, in the custody of any other agency or official sealed; and the court shall further order all references to said adjudication, diversion or informal adjustment removed from all indices and from all other records available to the public. However, a special index of the expungement proceedings and records shall be kept by the court ordering expungement, which index shall not be available to the public and shall be revealed only upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction. Copies of the order shall be sent to each agency or official named in the order. Upon the entry of the order, the proceedings in the petitioner’s case shall be deemed never to have occurred and the petitioner may properly reply accordingly upon any inquiry in the matter. Inspection of the records may thereafter be permitted only by the court upon petition by the person who is the subject of the records, or by any other court of competent jurisdiction, and only to persons named in the petition.

Source: official Idaho text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Idaho § 20-525A

What does Idaho Statutes § 20-525A cover?

Section 20-525A ("Expungement of record - Hearing - Findings necessary - Special index - Effect of order") is part of the Idaho Statutes, the codified statutory law of Idaho. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Idaho § 20-525A?

A common citation format is "Idaho Statutes § 20-525A" (Idaho). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Idaho law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Idaho official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Idaho attorney.

How does Idaho § 20-525A apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Idaho can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Idaho.