Ada County DV Charges
If you are investigated or charged in Ada County for a domestic violence related offense, the charging decision often happens fast, and the consequences can start immediately. Bond conditions, no contact orders, firearm restrictions, and employment impacts can hit before you ever get your day in court.
This page is a parent overview of common Ada County charges we see. Each section below is a starting point, with a link to a deeper page on that charge.
Quick Penalties and Statutes
| Charge | Level | Primary Statute | Maximum Jail or Prison | Maximum Fine | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Misdemeanor |
Idaho Code § 18-918(3) |
Up to 1 year county jail |
Up to $1,000 for first conviction |
Battery between household members without traumatic injury. |
|
|
Felony |
Idaho Code § 18-918(2) |
Up to 10 years prison |
Up to $10,000 |
Battery between household members with traumatic injury. |
|
|
Felony |
Idaho Code § 18-923 |
Up to 15 years prison |
Not specified in statute |
No injury required. Repeat felony exposure and child presence enhancements exist. |
|
|
Misdemeanor, can become felony |
Idaho Code § 18-920 |
Up to 1 year county jail, felony up to 5 years prison for repeat violations |
Up to $1,000, felony up to $5,000 for repeat violations |
Applies to criminal case no contact orders. |
|
|
Misdemeanor |
Idaho Code § 39-6312 |
Up to 1 year county jail |
Up to $5,000 |
Applies to protection orders issued under Title 39 domestic violence provisions. |
|
|
Misdemeanor |
Idaho Code § 18-7906 |
Up to 1 year county jail |
Up to $1,000 |
Course of conduct that alarms, annoys, harasses, or causes fear. |
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|
Felony |
Idaho Code § 18-7905 |
1 to 5 years prison |
Up to $10,000 |
Stalking second degree plus an aggravating factor such as violating a protection order or no contact order. |
|
|
Misdemeanor |
Idaho Code § 18-6710 |
Up to 1 year county jail |
Not specified in statute |
Covers threats, repeated calls or messages, obscene or lewd communications. |
|
|
Felony |
Idaho Code § 18-6605 |
Not specified in statute, default felony up to 5 years |
Default felony fine up to $50,000 |
Statute labels it a felony without a stated penalty, so general felony penalties apply. |
|
|
Felony |
Idaho Code § 18-2604(3) and (4) |
Not specified in statute, default felony up to 5 years |
Default felony fine up to $50,000 |
Statute labels it a felony without a stated penalty, so general felony penalties apply. |
|
|
Misdemeanor |
Idaho Code § 18-2604(1) and (2) |
Default misdemeanor up to 6 months |
Up to $1,000 |
Civil proceeding intimidation is a misdemeanor, with default misdemeanor penalties. |
Misdemeanor Domestic Battery
What it generally means: A battery between household members that does not involve traumatic injury. Idaho's domestic violence statute incorporates the general definition of battery and then applies it to qualifying relationships.
What matters early in the case:
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Whether the allegation is framed as traumatic injury or not
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Whether there is an alleged child presence enhancement exposure
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Whether the court issues a no contact order immediately
Learn more: Misdemeanor Domestic Battery
Felony Domestic Battery
What generally makes it felony: The allegation includes a traumatic injury, or the case is charged as felony based on qualifying prior domestic violence convictions.
Why it gets serious fast: Felony filing changes bond leverage, discovery posture, and sentencing exposure.
Learn more: Felony Domestic Battery
Attempted Strangulation
What it is in Idaho: Willfully and unlawfully choking or attempting to strangle a household member or a person in a dating relationship. Idaho law states no injury is required to prove the charge.
Key point: These cases are often driven by statements, medical notes, and photos rather than obvious injury.
Learn more: Attempted Strangulation
Violation of a No Contact Order or Civil Protection Order
These are two different orders that get confused constantly in Ada County.
No Contact Order
Where it comes from: A criminal case. Courts commonly issue it at or near arraignment, and it can also be imposed by Idaho criminal rule.
Penalty basics: Typically a misdemeanor for a violation, with a felony exposure after repeated convictions within the statute's time window.
Learn more: Violation of a No Contact Order
Civil Protection Order
Where it comes from: A separate civil process under Title 39.
Penalty basics: Violation is a misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and up to a $5,000 fine.
Learn more: Violation of a Civil Protection Order
Misdemeanor and Felony Stalking
Stalking in the Second Degree
General idea: A knowing and malicious course of conduct that seriously alarms, annoys, harasses, or causes fear, judged under a reasonable person standard.
Learn more: Stalking in the Second Degree
Stalking in the First Degree
What elevates it: Stalking second degree plus an aggravating factor, commonly an existing protection order or no contact order, weapon possession during the course of conduct, or certain prior convictions.
Learn more: Stalking in the First Degree
Telephonic Harassment
What it covers: Idaho's statute is broad and includes threats of injury, repeated communications that disturb the peace, and obscene or lewd communications by phone, text, email, or other electronic communication.
Practical risk: A telephonic harassment allegation often becomes a quick pathway to a no contact order in the underlying case.
Learn more: Telephonic Harassment
Video Voyeurism
What it generally means: Using or installing an imaging device where someone has a reasonable expectation of privacy without their knowledge or consent, or unlawfully disseminating certain intimate images under the statute's terms. Idaho labels the offense a felony.
Learn more: Video Voyeurism
Witness Intimidation
What it generally means: Attempts to influence, threaten, harass, deter, or prevent a witness from testifying freely, fully, and truthfully. Idaho distinguishes between intimidation tied to civil proceedings and intimidation tied to criminal proceedings.
Learn more: Witness Intimidation
Talk to a Boise DV Defense Lawyer
If you are facing any of the charges above in Ada County, get counsel involved early, before you make statements, agree to “informal” interviews, or accidentally violate an order. Give Boise DV Defense a call to see how we can help defend you against your charges.
