Official Government Website

Institutional Offices

When Governor Brad Little and the Idaho Legislature created the State Public Defender (SPD) office in 2023, 14 counties had established public defender offices. Those offices were staffed and paid for by the boards of county commissioners and have established personnel and infrastructure.

The counties of Ada, Bannock, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Canyon, Gooding, Jefferson, Kootenai, and Twin Falls have established public defender offices. The counties of Minidoka and Cassia – and Power and Oneida – have combined offices.

Those offices are run by established public defenders and are staffed with attorneys, investigators, and support staff. They will report to and work with the District Public Defenders in each of Idaho’s seven judicial districts and executive staff at the State Public Defender office.

Here is the contact information for the institutional county offices. Updated contact information will be added when counties are assigned new phone and fax numbers during the month of September.

Ada County Main Office: 200 W. Front St., Boise, ID, 83702. Phone # (208) 605-4800. Fax # (208) 917-4879.

Ada County Secondary Office: 6300 Denton St., Boise, ID 83704. Phone # (208) 605-4910. Fax # (208) 917-4881.

Canyon County Main Office: 111 Albany St., Caldwell, ID 83605. Phone # (208) 605-4920. Fax # (208) 795-1371.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will county employees in the 12 institutional offices take a pay cut when they transition to the State Public Defender Office?

The Idaho Legislature appropriated $49 million to the SPD for fiscal year 2025. The SPD and Idaho’s Division of Human Resources (DHR) have created a state-wide salary matrix. About 77% of oncoming SPD employees will receive a salary increase, 7% of employees’ salaries will remain the same, and 15% of employees will have a salary decrease from their current county pay rate.
What we found over the last few months were significant discrepancies in some rates across the state. The salary matrix levels those out.

What will happen to the vacation and sick time county employees have accumulated?

By statute, county employees can bring up to 40 hours each of vacation and sick time with them when they join the State Public Defender Office.  Counties’ policies govern whether county employees are compensated for their remaining county vacation and sick time.

Will institutional offices use the new LegalServer Case Management System (CMS)?

Yes.  Beginning in July, all lawyers and staff working on public defense in Idaho will need to enter their cases into LegalServer. It is essential for every public defender in the State to use the same CMS.

How does the LegalServer CMS work?

The CMS is where the case file lives and will be a complete electronic file/record. Case notes, filings, discovery, etc., must be entered in the CMS contemporaneously.

Who will migrate case data into the new LegalServer CMS?

Institutional offices will have to migrate new and active cases but not historical cases. Both institutional offices and contractors must maintain their closed case files as required ethically and for liability purposes. 

Is the SPD taking over current vendor contracts for institutional offices?

No. The SPD will negotiate new contracts with vendors.

What about computers and other office equipment needs?

The SPD will provide new computers and other office equipment to the institutional offices. Office equipment and other technology owned by the counties will be returned unless it’s necessary and donated by the counties. If an institutional office has received equipment paid for by State funds, it will stay in the office.

Who will troubleshoot IT problems with the new SPD computers and equipment?

The Idaho Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) will provide IT support for SPD equipment. ITS estimates that about 90% of all IT issues can be handled remotely. If in-person support is needed, ITS has employees throughout the state who can do in-person work.

What about hiring? Should institutional offices fill open jobs?

Yes. We know how important it is to continue to bring in new talent.  If institutional offices have open jobs, we want them to hire the best candidates and we encourage the offices to consult with the SPD for hiring during the transition.

Will institutional employees work in the same office space they are in now?

For the next five years, the 12 institutional public defense offices will likely remain in the same locations. Idaho statute requires that the counties provide office space until 2029 – which includes building maintenance and utilities. The SPD will contract for janitorial services.

How does public defense for indigent people work in Idaho?

Find the answer to this and all of your other questions on our FAQ page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the new Idaho Public Defenders' Office Website!

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