Boise Arrest Records

Boise arrest records contain information about individuals detained by law enforcement agencies due to criminal activity. Arrests can occur to execute a warrant or upon probable cause that an individual has committed a crime.

The Boise Police Department (BPD) is the primary agency responsible for initiating and handling arrests and other enforcement actions within city limits. Arrested individuals are held in the correctional facility/jail managed by the Ada County Sheriff's Office.

During booking, offenders' mugshots, fingerprints, and other personal details are entered into the Ada County inmate management system. These feed into wider criminal justice records, including the Ada County arrest records and statewide criminal history files.

Are Boise Arrests Public Records?

In Boise, Idaho, arrest records are accessible to the public under the Idaho Public Records Act Code § 74-101 et seq. This law grants citizens the right to inspect and copy such records unless specifically exempted by statute.

Information withheld from public access includes juvenile reports, medical history, details that would jeopardize an ongoing investigation, information that might compromise a person's right to a fair trial, sealed or expunged records, and details about law enforcement investigative techniques.

Public arrest records in Boise typically contain the offender's full name, arrest date, charges, mugshots, custody status, and, if applicable, bail or bond amount.

Boise Crime Rate

Boise experienced a 7.1% reduction in crime in 2024, totaling 9,650 incidents. This continues a downward trend observed over the past five years (2020–2024), with the only exception being a slight 0.7% increase in 2023.

The city's crime rate for Group A offenses in 2024 was 4,102.49 per 100,000 residents, with property crimes constituting the majority of incidents. Larceny was the most frequent offense, with 2,108 reported incidents, at a rate of 898.2 per 100,000 residents. Assault, categorized as a crime against persons, was the second most common offense, peaking at 2,045 reported incidents, at a rate of 869.4 per 100,000 population.

(Source: Crime In Idaho 2024, Jurisdictional Crime Reports, Ada County)

Find Boise Arrest Records

Interested individuals can obtain Boise arrest records through the following official channels:

• Boise Police Department Records Division: Submit a Public Record Request Form to the BPD's Records Unit in person or online. One can also call or visit the BPD to make arrest inquiries.
• Ada County Sheriff: Persons arrested in Boise may be taken to the Ada County Jail to be booked and held until they bail out or see a judge. Individuals can search the sheriff's Inmate Roster or check the Current Arrests list (which displays bookings from the last 24 hours to the last 5 days).

Free Arrest Record Search In Boise

To conduct a free search for Boise arrest records, individuals can access information from two primary official sources: the Boise Police Department and the Ada County Sheriff's Office. Both provide arrest details, including booking numbers and offenders' custody status, without hidden charges. For example, the sheriff's Inmate Roster and Current Arrests list are free. At the same time, individuals can access the Boise PD's press releases to find arrest news. For more detailed records, such as arrest narratives, observations, and witness statements not available online, requests can be submitted via a public records request to the BPD's Records Division.

Several third-party aggregators also offer free access to arrest information, but comprehensive access is often paywalled. However, these websites are not substitutes for official sources, as data presented may be inaccurate/outdated.

Criminal Background Check In Idaho

In Boise, the Idaho State Police (ISP) processes criminal background checks through its Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI), the central hub for the state's criminal history records. The BCI conducts fingerprint- and name-based checks for government agencies, landlords, employers, and private individuals, provided the subject gives written consent.

Name-based background checks: These require an individual's full name and date of birth, which are submitted along with the Name-Based Criminal Background Form. There is a fee of $20 per request. While effective, these checks can be less accurate due to potential duplication of names among arrestees. Note that Idaho law does not require the subject of the record to give consent. However, without the signed release from the subject, any arrest older than 12 months and without a disposition cannot be released to a non-criminal justice agency.

Fingerprint-based background checks: This method yields more accurate results and is usually mandated for public employment, professional licenses, and roles involving vulnerable populations such as children and older adults. Applicants are required to complete and submit the Fingerprint-Based Criminal Background Form, including the Payment Authorization Form, to the ISP. The form should also be accompanied by a complete set of inked and rolled fingerprints on an Applicant Fingerprint Card, as well as the required payment. Each application costs $20.

For more information about Idaho background checks, one can review the ISP's Fingerprinting & Background Checks page.

Boise Inmate Search

To find persons arrested in Boise but sentenced for serious offenses, one can query the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC). IDOC manages all state-run prisons and maintains a centralized search system, which can be utilized by the public to conduct inmate searches. A search can be performed by name or IDOC number. For more information, interested persons may contact the IDOC via the address listed below:

Idaho Department of Correction
1299 North Orchard Street
Suite 110
Boise, ID 83706
Phone: (208) 658-2000

The Ada County Sheriff supervises locally sentenced persons (usually those serving a year or less). The Sheriff can be contacted for inmate information, or one can search the office's online Inmate Roster.

Boise Police Records Lookup

The Boise Police Department maintains computer-aided dispatch (CAD) call logs, criminal and non-criminal incident reports, arrest documents, and affidavits. These records can be accessed via a public records request to the agency's records division.

Although police records are widely accessible, certain documents bearing sensitive information, such as witness statements or juvenile information, may be redacted or withdrawn from public access in compliance with the law.

How Long Do Arrest Records Stay on Your Record In Boise?

Indefinitely. Boise arrest records stay on an individual's criminal history perpetually and may appear on background checks unless expunged/sealed by a court order. Idaho state laws do not allow for automatic expungement of arrests.

How Can I Get My Record Expunged for Free In Boise?

While Idaho does not have true expungement, it is possible under specific circumstances, including:

• Withheld judgment
• Arrests without conviction
• Cases with dropped or dismissed charges
• Juvenile offenses—once the offender turns 18, fulfills all rehabilitative requirements, and has no pending charges.

In Boise, individuals may have their arrest records expunged at no cost if they qualify for a fee waiver and obtain free legal aid from Idaho Legal Aid Services (ILAS). To apply for a fee waiver, requesters can submit an Affidavit of Inability to Pay and the expungement petition, detailing the reasons for expungement, arrest details, and supporting documents (e.g., police reports, court dismissals). Expungement requests for all arrest incidents that occurred in Boise are filed with the Ada County Court Clerk.

The time required for the expungement process is generally thus:

• Petition filing stage: 1 to 2 weeks
• Scheduled court hearing: 30 to 60 days
• Prosecutor's response/feedback: 14 to 30 days
• Final court decision: 2 to 4 months

Once a petition is approved, the court will issue an expungement order instructing law enforcement agencies, both locally and at the state level, to restrict public access to such records.

Boise Warrants Search

Both Boise arrest and bench warrants are issued by judges, authorizing the immediate arrest of the bearer if found by law enforcement agencies. A bench warrant is issued if an individual fails to appear in court, while an arrest warrant is released when there is probable cause that an individual has committed a crime.

To determine if a warrant has been issued, individuals can contact local law enforcement for active warrant information or access court case records through the Ada County Court Clerk's Office. An in-person visit typically requires a photo ID. Individuals seeking an active warrant in person risk apprehension and may need to consider alternative options, such as contacting a lawyer or a bail bonds company.

Do Boise Warrants Expire?

No. Generally, Boise arrest warrants do not automatically expire. Unless such warrants are recalled or executed, they remain active and valid.