ISA

The Idaho Constitution (Article 18, Section 6) and state law (31-2001 and 31-2003) establish the office of sheriff, authorize sheriffs to appoint deputies and clerical assistants.  Sheriffs are elected to serve four-year terms.  The structure of the office of county sheriff could change if a county chooses to adopt an optional form of county government.  The powers and duties of the sheriff may be organized into the following categories:

1. Police powers
2. Jail-keeping powers
3. Powers as officer of the court and process server
4. Drivers’ licensing
5. Other miscellaneous powers such as the duty to return to the state fugitives from justice through extradition proceedings