The Idaho Supreme Court is making its way across the state this week, holding public oral arguments in both Rexburg and Twin Falls as part of a constitutional obligation to bring the state’s highest court to communities outside the capital.
The Idaho Judicial Branch announced Monday that justices will convene Wednesday morning in Rexburg and Thursday morning in Twin Falls, giving residents in eastern and south-central Idaho a rare opportunity to observe the court in person.
Where and When
Wednesday’s session begins at 8:45 a.m. in the Special Events Room MC387 at the Manwaring Student Center on the BYU-Idaho campus. Following the morning hearings, the court will hold a public question-and-answer session beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m., allowing attendees to engage directly with the justices.
Thursday’s session also opens at 8:45 a.m. and will be held at the Twin Falls County Court Facility, located at 427 Shoshone St. N. in Twin Falls.
Both sessions are open to the public at no charge.
What to Know Before You Go
Attendees should plan ahead. Backpacks, food, and beverages are not permitted inside the courtroom. Cell phones must be silenced, and any cameras or recording devices require advance permission from the court before they may be used.
A Constitutional Mandate
The traveling sessions are not optional — the Idaho Constitution requires the state Supreme Court to periodically hear cases in regions beyond Boise. The practice is designed to ensure the court remains accessible to all Idahoans, not merely those within reach of the capital.
State supreme courts that travel to hold hearings in local communities are relatively uncommon nationally, though several states maintain similar provisions aimed at promoting civic engagement with the judiciary. As federal court access and voting rights jurisprudence continue to shift, state-level courts have drawn increased public attention as forums where consequential legal questions are decided closer to home.
For those interested in the broader landscape of state high courts, Idaho’s circuit-style sessions offer a contrast to states like Georgia, where the state Supreme Court recently cleared procedural ground for resuming executions — a reminder of the wide-ranging authority wielded by state judiciaries across the country.
Residents in the Rexburg and Twin Falls areas who wish to attend either session are encouraged to arrive early, as seating in courtroom facilities is typically limited during traveling sessions.