What is a infraction?

Minor traffic offenses in Idaho are called infractions. Common infractions are speeding, not wearing a seat belt, failure to yield, and failure to signal. An infraction is not a crime but is a civil public offense for which there is a maximum penalty and for which there can be no jail time imposed.


The Supreme Court has established by court rule a fixed penalty schedule for infraction violations. The fixed penalties cannot be increased, decreased, suspended, or withheld by any court. The penalty is more in the nature of a fee, and the fixed penalty is not a criminal fine. Because an infraction is not a crime, a defendant may never be arrested for an infraction and may never be required to post bail.


Because an infraction is civil in nature, if a defendant does not appear on an infraction citation, the driver cannot be prosecuted for a misdemeanor for failure to appear. Instead, if the defendant fails to appear on an infraction citation, default judgment can be entered against the driver in the same manner as in any other civil action. Also because the infractions are civil in nature, the defendant is not entitled to a trial by jury.

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1. Where do I pay my citation?
2. Where do I pay parking tickets?
3. What is the non-emergency telephone number?
4. How can I file a police report?
5. What is the procedure for a misdemeanor traffic offense?
6. What is a infraction?