Idaho Code

Idaho Code § 6-311A (2026)

Judgment on trial by court. 

✓ current as of May 2026
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Judgment on trial by court. 

In an action exclusively for possession of a tract of land of five (5) acres or less for the nonpayment of rent or on the grounds that the landlord has reasonable grounds to believe that a person is, or has been, engaged in the unlawful delivery, production, or use of a controlled substance on the leased premises during the term for which the premises are let to the tenant, or for forcible detainer, or if the tenant is a tenant at sufferance pursuant to subsection (11) of section 45-1506, Idaho Code, the action shall be tried by the court without a jury. If, after hearing the evidence the court concludes that the complaint is not true, it shall enter judgment against the plaintiff for costs and disbursements. If the court finds the complaint true or if judgment is rendered by default, it shall render a general judgment against the defendant and in favor of the plaintiff, for restitution of the premises and the costs and disbursements of the action. If the court finds the complaint true in part, it shall render judgment for the restitution of such part only, and the costs and disbursements shall be taxed as the court deems just and equitable. No provision of this law shall be construed to prevent the bringing of an action for damages.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1997–2024 · leading case: Worthington v. Crazy Thunder, 541 P.3d 694 (Idaho 2024).
Worthington v. Crazy Thunder, 541 P.3d 694 (Idaho 2024). · cites it 44× “In such cases, when there are no disputed claims for relief like Crazy Thunder asserted here, the magistrate court appropriately may act as a court in equity and resolve such cases via a bench trial as authorized in Idaho Code 6-311A. However, in cases like the one here, the…”
State v. Myers, 942 P.2d 564 (Idaho Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 2× “Neither party disputes that proper procedures were used to obtain the writ. The unlawful detainer statutes require that once a complaint has been filed, a summons must be issued, served and returned.”
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