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Teton County judge asks commissioners not to use the bench as a political foil, urges clearer misdemeanor probation policy
Summary
At a special meeting, Judge Walker told the Teton County Board of Commissioners his role is judicial, not political, and said Idaho Code 31 8 78 and an Administrative District judges' order govern misdemeanor probation; he also said he was not aware of a working misdemeanor probation policy in Teton County.
Judge Walker appeared before the Teton County Board of Commissioners during a special meeting to correct what he said was a misreading of his earlier comments and to urge the county to clarify its misdemeanor probation policy.
"My job is not political," Judge Walker told the commissioners, saying he had taken an oath to uphold the constitutions and laws of Idaho and the United States and that it was inappropriate for him to be drawn into policy debates. He asked that his role not be used as "anyone's political foil."
The judge referenced a recent article in the Jackson Hole Daily that he said misinterpreted his remarks and restated that he does not comment on immigration policy from the bench. He told the board he is aware that Idaho Code 31 8 78 governs misdemeanor probation in counties and that duties are further described in an Administrative District judges' order.
Walker said he was not aware of a working misdemeanor probation policy in Teton County and suggested that having a written policy and a policy manual for staff would help clarify responsibilities and address concerns raised at prior meetings.
Commissioners amended the meeting agenda to allow the judge's public appearance and then moved into executive session to discuss personnel matters under the cited Idaho code provision. County legal counsel Josh said afterward that the county would prepare any written decision or follow-up documentation for the board's review.
Why it matters: The county's statements about probation affect how misdemeanor supervision and accountability are carried out locally. A written county policy, if adopted, would clarify staff duties and the limits of local authority in collaboration with state judicial orders.
What happened next: After Walker's remarks the board recessed into executive session; commissioners returned and continued with the meeting's other agenda items.
