Idaho § 34-616 - Election - selection - of district judges - Qualifications

§ 34-616. Election - selection - of district judges - Qualifications

(1) At the primary election, 1974, and every four (4) years thereafter, subject to the provisions of section 34-1217 , Idaho Code, there shall be elected in each judicial district a sufficient number of district judges to fill any vacancy or vacancies occasioned by the expiration of the term or terms of office of any member or members.

(2) To be elected to the office of district judge a person must, at the time of such election, meet all of the following qualifications:

(a) Be at least thirty (30) years of age;

(b) Be a citizen of the United States and an elector in the judicial district in which elected;

(c) Have been a legal resident of the state of Idaho for at least two (2) continuous years immediately preceding such election;

(d) Have been in good standing as an active or judicial member of the Idaho state bar for at least two (2) continuous years immediately preceding such election; and

(e) Have held a license to practice law or held a judicial office in one (1) or more jurisdictions for at least ten (10) continuous years immediately preceding such election.

(3) Each candidate for election shall file a declaration of candidacy with the secretary of state.

(4) Each candidate who files a declaration of candidacy shall at the same time pay a filing fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) which shall be deposited in the general fund.

(5) To be appointed to the office of district judge a person must, at the time of such appointment, meet all of the following qualifications:

(a) Be at least thirty (30) years of age;

(b) Be a citizen of the United States and an elector of the state of Idaho;

(c) Have been a legal resident of the state of Idaho for at least two (2) continuous years immediately preceding such appointment;

(d) Have been in good standing as an active or judicial member of the Idaho state bar for at least two (2) continuous years immediately preceding such appointment; and

(e) Have held a license to practice law or held a judicial office in one (1) or more jurisdictions for at least ten (10) continuous years immediately preceding such appointment.

(6) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

(a) "Active," "judicial" and "good standing" have the same definitions as those terms are given by rule 301 of the Idaho bar commission rules or any successors to those rules;

(b) "Jurisdiction" means a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or any branch of the United States military; and

(c) "Elector" means one who is lawfully registered to vote.

[34-616, added 1970, ch. 140, sec. 96, p. 351; am. 1970, ch. 231, sec. 1, p. 643; am. 1972, ch. 46, sec. 2, p. 84; am. 1985, ch. 29, sec. 7, p. 57; am. 1996, ch. 28, sec. 12, p. 72; am. 2015, ch. 282, sec. 4, p. 1148; am. 2015, ch. 310, sec. 4, p. 1219; am. 2016, ch. 47, sec. 19, p. 112.]