Clear steps. Real deadlines. Better decisions—early.
If you’re facing an arrest or criminal charge in or near Eagle, Idaho, the most stressful part is often the uncertainty: What happens next? How quickly do deadlines hit? What should you say (and not say)? A good defense plan replaces guesswork with a timeline and strategy—so you can protect your license, your record, and your future.
At Davis & Hoskisson Law Office, we regularly help clients who have overlapping pressures—family issues, business risks, employment concerns, and the fear that one allegation could snowball. When you’re looking for a criminal defense lawyer, it helps to understand the process in plain English so you can take the right actions at the right time.
Important: Criminal cases move fast, and some consequences happen outside the courthouse. For example, DUI arrests can trigger a separate administrative driver’s license suspension process through the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) with short deadlines. (itd.idaho.gov)
1) The first 48 hours: what your lawyer focuses on first
The earliest phase is about control—of information, deadlines, and the narrative. Even before your first court appearance, a defense attorney typically works on:
Release conditions / bail: Making sure you can return to work, remain in your home when appropriate, and avoid unnecessary restrictions.
No-contact and protection order issues: These can affect parenting time, housing, and employment quickly—especially during a separation or divorce.
Evidence preservation: 911 calls, body-worn camera footage, surveillance video, witness info, and medical records can disappear unless requested promptly.
If your situation involves a family conflict that turned into criminal allegations, it’s also smart to think holistically. A criminal defense decision can ripple into custody, divorce strategy, business ownership issues, or licensing concerns.
2) Understanding “two tracks” in many Idaho cases (especially DUI)
People are often surprised to learn there may be two separate timelines:
| Track | Who runs it | What’s at stake | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative | Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) | Driver’s license seizure/suspension (DUI-related) | Short deadlines; can move even while the criminal case is pending. (itd.idaho.gov) |
| Criminal | Court (prosecutor/judge) | Conviction risk, probation/jail, fines, record, conditions | This is where your constitutional defenses and negotiated outcomes are litigated. |
DUI example: If an officer serves a notice of suspension after a failed evidentiary test, you typically have 7 days to request an administrative hearing to contest the seizure/suspension. (itd.idaho.gov)
3) From arraignment to resolution: the core steps most people see
Every case is unique, but many Eagle-area criminal cases follow this general arc:
Arraignment
The court confirms charges and rights, and a plea is entered (often “not guilty” early on while evidence is reviewed). Future dates are set. A lawyer’s job is to prevent avoidable missteps and start steering conditions and scheduling in your favor.
Discovery & investigation
Your attorney reviews police reports, bodycam footage, lab results, witness statements, and any prior history that may affect charging or sentencing exposure.
Motions & hearings
This is where legal issues can reshape the case—unlawful stops, unreliable testing, improper searches, or constitutional violations.
Negotiation, diversion (when available), trial, or sentencing
Many cases resolve without trial, but a negotiation has leverage only when it’s supported by facts, legal defenses, and readiness to litigate.
Idaho courts also have rules that allow dismissal in certain situations (for example, if there’s unnecessary delay in bringing a defendant to trial). Whether and how these rules apply depends on the case facts and procedural posture. (isc.idaho.gov)
4) Step-by-step: how to help your defense (without hurting your case)
Step 1: Stop talking about the facts of the case
Avoid discussing details with friends, coworkers, or on social media. Save the narrative for protected attorney-client conversations.
Step 2: Gather your documents
Citations, release paperwork, bond paperwork, tow/impound documents, and any “notice” forms you were handed matter. In DUI cases, the notice of suspension is especially time-sensitive. (itd.idaho.gov)
Step 3: Write down your timeline (privately)
Note locations, times, who was present, and what you remember—then share it with your attorney, not the public. Memory fades fast.
Step 4: Follow release conditions perfectly
Missed check-ins, missed tests, or accidental contact can create new charges or complicate negotiations.
Step 5: Tell your lawyer the “hard parts” early
Prior convictions, pending family court issues, professional licenses, immigration concerns, or firearm ownership goals can change strategy. Your attorney can’t protect what they don’t know.
Did you know? Quick facts that catch people off guard
A DUI can trigger an ITD administrative suspension even if the criminal case is still pending. That’s why the administrative hearing deadline is so important. (itd.idaho.gov)
Idaho’s criminal rules allow dismissal in certain situations, including for unnecessary delay in bringing a case to trial. How that applies depends on timing and facts. (isc.idaho.gov)
Some firearm rights restoration pathways require an application to the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole, with eligibility requirements and documentation rules. (parole.idaho.gov)
Local angle: Eagle, Idaho realities that affect criminal cases
Eagle is part of the Treasure Valley legal ecosystem. Even when an incident happens in Eagle, your case may involve agencies, prosecutors, and courts that operate on fast calendars. Add in the practical side—commuting for work, parenting schedules, and business obligations—and “wait and see” becomes expensive quickly.
If you’re a business owner, a criminal charge can also affect contracts, professional reputation, and employee relationships. If you’re in the middle of a family transition, it can shape custody negotiations and court orders. Coordinated legal planning matters.
Learn more about our team here: Meet the attorneys at Davis & Hoskisson.
Related services (when your case overlaps)
DUI defense & license consequences: If alcohol-related driving is involved, learn how we approach DUI cases and related license issues. Boise-area DUI representation
Criminal defense beyond DUI: For theft, assault, drug possession, reckless driving, and other charges, our criminal law page gives a broader overview. Criminal law defense
Firearm rights restoration: If a past case affected your ability to possess firearms, there may be legal pathways to explore. Restoration of firearm rights
Talk with a criminal defense lawyer before deadlines close
If you were arrested, cited, or contacted by law enforcement in Eagle or the surrounding Treasure Valley, getting legal guidance early can help protect your license, your record, and your options for resolution.
If your matter involves a DUI arrest, remember: the ITD administrative hearing request window can be as short as 7 days after service of the notice. (itd.idaho.gov)
FAQ: Hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Eagle, Idaho
Should I talk to the police to “clear things up”?
It’s usually safer to speak with counsel first. Many damaging statements are made with good intentions. Your attorney can help coordinate any communication in a controlled way.
How fast do DUI license deadlines move in Idaho?
An evidentiary breath/blood test failure can trigger an administrative license seizure and suspension process. You typically have 7 days to request an ITD administrative hearing to challenge it. (itd.idaho.gov)
What does my lawyer actually do between court dates?
Review discovery, investigate facts, identify constitutional and evidentiary issues, file motions when appropriate, negotiate from an informed position, and advise you on the real-world impacts (work, family, licensing, firearms).
Can my case be dismissed for delay?
Idaho Criminal Rule 48 authorizes dismissal in certain circumstances, including unnecessary delay in bringing a defendant to trial. Whether it applies depends on the facts, the reason for delay, and the procedural history. (isc.idaho.gov)
If I lost firearm rights after a felony, is restoration possible?
In some situations, restoration may require an application through the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole, with eligibility requirements (including timing after discharge) and strict documentation rules. (parole.idaho.gov)
Glossary (plain-English terms you’ll hear)
Arraignment: The court hearing where charges are read/confirmed, rights are explained, and a plea is entered.
Discovery: The evidence exchange process (police reports, videos, lab results, witness statements) that shapes defenses and negotiations.
ALS (Administrative License Suspension): A civil/administrative driver’s license suspension process tied to DUI testing outcomes, handled by the ITD and separate from the criminal case. (itd.idaho.gov)
Motion: A formal request asking the court to do something (for example, suppress evidence or dismiss a charge).
I.C.R. 48: Idaho Criminal Rule 48, which allows dismissal in specific situations, including unnecessary delay in bringing a defendant to trial (among other grounds). (isc.idaho.gov)
