IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF IDAHO
Docket No. 36175
JOHN H. BRADBURY, )
) Boise, July 2009 Term
Petitioner, )
) 2009 Opinion No. 114
v. )
) Filed: September 10, 2009
IDAHO JUDICIAL COUNCIL, )
) Stephen W. Kenyon, Clerk
Respondent. )
)
Petition for review of determination by the Idaho Judicial Council.
Clements, Brown & McNichols, P.A., Lewiston; Runft & Steele Law Offices,
PLLC, Boise; and M. Karl Shurtliff, Boise; for petitioner. Michael E. McNichols
argued.
The Roark Law Firm, Hailey, for respondent. R. Keith Roark argued.
J. JONES, Justice
District Judge John H. Bradbury (Petitioner) asks the Court to review a determination of
the Idaho Judicial Council (Council) that he does not “actually reside” in Idaho County as
required by Idaho Code sections 1-803 and 1-809. The Council recommended that Judge
Bradbury be suspended from serving as a district judge until such time he actually resides in
Idaho County and that he pay the costs incurred by the Council in this proceeding. Based upon
our independent review of the facts in the record, the Court finds that Petitioner is not in
compliance with such residency requirement and orders that he take action to comply with the
law.
I. BACKGROUND SETTING
Petitioner was elected in 2002 for a district judge position with resident chambers in
Idaho County. He took office in January 2003. Idaho Code section 1-809 requires that district
judges actually reside at the place designated as their resident chambers. On December 20, 2002,
Petitioner purchased a house in Grangeville, Idaho County, and on October 16, 2003, he changed
his voter registration to Idaho County.
On May 2, 2006, the Council notified Petitioner that it was conducting an inquiry into
whether he was actually residing in Idaho County. Petitioner responded by letter on May 4,
2006, stating that he owned a fully furnished home in Grangeville, that he had a homeowner‟s
exemption on that home, and that he was registered to vote and did vote in Idaho County. He
also stated that he had a fully furnished home in Lewiston and that the home at which he stayed
depended upon where his work was. By letter dated April 17, 2007, the Council informed
Petitioner that, based upon his response, the Council was closing the file. The Council noted in
its subsequent findings that Petitioner had not informed the Council “that he spent practically
none of his nights in Grangeville, or, that in the prior six (6) months he had spent fewer than ten
(10) evenings in Grangeville.”
On September 12, 2007, the Council sent Petitioner a letter stating that it had received
additional information and was re-opening the inquiry into whether he was actually residing in
Idaho County. On October 31, 2007, Robert G. Hamlin, the Executive Director of the Council,
interviewed Petitioner regarding the issue of whether he actually resided in Idaho County. That
interview was recorded and transcribed by a court reporter. During that interview, Petitioner
stated, “And my Constitutional duty is to do my job, and I think it trumps whatever the statutory
obligation might be.” He continued, “And I want to do my job. And I want to comply with the
law. But I can‟t do both, as much as I want to.” When asked, “So do you―you spend most of
your time in Lewiston?” Petitioner answered, “Yeah, I do.” Hamlin followed up by asking,
“How many days―let me rephrase that, how many evenings a week do you spend in
Grangeville?” Petitioner answered, “Practically none.” He said that he got most of his personal
mail in Lewiston and had registered his vehicles in Nez Perce County. He told Hamlin he spent
most of his weekends at his ranch in Clearwater County where he is building a house. He also
stated, “I can tell you that I would live in Grangeville if I could do my work and live in
Grangeville.”
On January 22, 2008, the Council sent Petitioner a letter stating that it did not appear that
he actually resided in Idaho County. The letter noted Petitioner‟s contention that he could not do
his job efficiently if he lived in Grangeville, but stated that if the statute requires that he actually
reside in Idaho County he must do so. The Council concluded by stating that unless he could
2
show within fourteen days that he actually resided in Idaho County, the Council would proceed
with formal charges. Petitioner did not attempt to do so, and on July 22, 2008, the Council
commenced formal proceedings.
The notice of formal proceedings alleged four counts: Counts One and Three alleged
violations of Canons 1(A) and 2(A) of the Code of Judicial Conduct for failing to actually reside
in Idaho County, and Counts Two and Four alleged violations of the same canons regarding
travel expense vouchers. The Council held an evidentiary hearing on December 17, 2008, at
which Petitioner, the Idaho County Deputy Clerk, and Hamlin testified. Petitioner testified that
he only stays overnight in Grangeville when he has a trial there and absent a trial he spends less
than one night per week in Grangeville.1 He testified that during 2008, he had spent several
nights in Grangeville because his workload there had increased. He also acknowledged his prior
statements, “And my Constitutional duty is to do my job, and I think it trumps whatever the
statutory obligation might be . . . and I want to do my job, and I want to comply with the law,
but I can‟t do both as much as I want to.”
At the conclusion of the hearing, the Council issued written findings of fact, conclusions
of law, and recommendations. It concluded that Petitioner did not actually reside in Idaho
County in violation of Idaho Code sections 1-803 and 1-809, and that his failure to do so was a
willful violation of Canons 1(A) and 2(A) pursuant to Idaho Code section 1-2103. It made no
1
When questioned about the amount of time he actually resides in Idaho County, Bradbury testified as follows:
Q. But as a practical matter, you are spending less than one night per week in
Grangeville unless there‟s a trial?
A. That‟s true.
....
Q. Which, again, is less than one night per week in Grangeville, Idaho?
A. It‟s less than one night a week up until this year where I‟ve had at least one night a
week and sometimes two, because I‟ve had more trials.
....
Q. In fact, you told Mr. Hamlin that in the six months preceding that interview, that is
the six months prior to the 31st of October, 2007, you had spent less than ten evenings in
Grangeville.
....
A. I don‟t know if that‟s what I said or not. I wouldn‟t say that I didn‟t say it. It‟s
consistent with my experience. I don‟t deny that.
....
Q. And you spend practically none of you nights there [in Idaho County].
A. Not this year. This year I‟ve spent several nights there because I‟ve had more cases
there. The workload has increased.
3
findings regarding Counts Two and Four regarding travel vouchers. It recommended that
Petitioner be immediately suspended until he begins actually residing in Idaho County, that if he
does move to Idaho County he be required to submit monthly affidavits certifying where he
actually resides, and that he pay the costs of counsel hired by the Council. On March 27, 2009,
Petitioner filed a verified petition in this Court seeking review of the Council‟s determination.
II. PROCEDURES AND STANDARD OF REVIEW
The Idaho Supreme Court holds original jurisdiction over claims of judicial misconduct.
Idaho Const. Art. V, § 2; Idaho Judicial Council v. Becker, 122 Idaho 288, 292-93, 834 P.2d
290, 294-95 (1992). The Idaho Judicial Council is charged with investigating such claims. Idaho
Code § 1-2103. Section 1-2103 “provides the means by which the Council may initiate
investigations of judicial conduct and make recommendations to the Court for discipline,
removal, or disability retirement of judges.” Becker, 122 Idaho at 293, 834 P.2d at 295.
Although the Council may initiate such investigations and make recommendations, “this Court
has the ultimate authority and responsibility to decide what should be done in each case based on
our weighing of the evidence presented to the Council and any additional evidence the Court
permits.” Id. This Court does not review the findings or conclusions made by the Council to
determine if they are supported by the evidence and the law. It makes its own findings and
conclusions from the evidence in the record. Id. When doing so, this Court applies a clear and
convincing standard of proof. Id.
III. MOTIONS TO DISQUALIFY
Before turning to the issues presented in the petition, the Court will consider the motions
filed by Petitioner on August 21, 2009, seeking to disqualify Justices Roger S. Burdick, Jim
Jones and Warren E. Jones. It does not appear that Petitioner seeks to disqualify Justice Pro Tem
Wayne L. Kidwell. The briefs filed in support of the motions contend that the three Justices are
biased and not impartial. The motions are not supported by affidavits. Some background is
necessary in order to place the motions in context.
After two continuances―one at the behest of Petitioner and the other at the request of the
Council―this matter was scheduled for oral argument on July 22, 2009. On July 17, 2009,
Petitioner filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho against each of
the Justices then sitting on this case―Chief Justice Daniel T. Eismann, Justices Roger Burdick,
Jim Jones and Warren Jones, and Justice Pro Tem Wayne Kidwell. In his federal suit, Petitioner
4
asserted a variety of claims against the individual Justices and sought, among other things, to
have the federal judge vacate the July 22 argument. The federal judge declined to vacate the
argument and it proceeded as scheduled. Central to the claims in the federal suit were
allegations that Chief Justice Eismann, as Chairman of the Idaho Judicial Council, had
participated in Council proceedings pertaining to this matter and, therefore, could not act
objectively. Petitioner has admitted having no claim that the Chief Justice was actually biased
against him.
On August 5, 2009, Petitioner filed a motion with this Court, seeking to disqualify Chief
Justice Eismann. On August 7, 2009, Chief Justice Eismann filed a recusal based upon the
claims in the federal lawsuit. The Chief Justice cited an affidavit filed by him in the federal
lawsuit showing that he had not participated in the proceedings before the Council relating to
Petitioner, that he had been in the hospital undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma at the time
the Council‟s hearing was conducted, and that he had not discussed the Council‟s findings and
recommendations with other members of the Council.
The timing of the motions to disqualify three of the four remaining Justices presiding on
the case is somewhat troubling. The case was argued on July 22 and fully submitted for
decision. Although the Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure do not apply in appellate proceedings,
Rule 40(d), pertaining to disqualification of trial court judges, is instructive. Where a party seeks
to disqualify a trial judge without cause, the motion must be timely filed before contested matters
are presented for consideration. See Idaho R. Civ. P. 40(d)(1)(B). A motion for disqualification
of a trial judge for cause may be made at any time but must be accompanied with an affidavit
“stating distinctly the grounds upon which disqualification is based and the facts relied upon in
support of the motion.” Idaho R. Civ. P. 40(d)(2)(B). Petitioner‟s motions were unaccompanied
by affidavits spelling out why the three Justices should be disqualified for bias or lack of
impartiality, so the motions are more in the form of motions seeking to disqualify without cause.
Should a party wish to file such a motion in order to call the attention of a Justice to a potential
concern regarding participation on a particular case, the same should be filed in a timely manner
before argument, not after the litigant has evaluated the tenor of questions asked by the particular
Justice at the argument. It would be a dangerous precedent to allow a litigant to observe the
questioning of the Justices at oral argument and, after the fact, seek to disqualify those Justices
who appear to have reservations about aspects of the litigant‟s case.
5
Furthermore, there is nothing stated in Petitioner‟s motions indicating why an earlier
suggestion of recusal could not have been made. From the commencement of this appeal, it was
known to Petitioner that Idaho Code section 1-2101 provides that the Chief Justice of the Idaho
Supreme Court is to serve as a member of the Council, as well as its chairman, and that Chief
Justice Eismann was fulfilling that capacity when the appeal was filed. The identity of the other
Justices who would preside over the matter was also known and it was known that all four would
participate in all proceedings and deliberations. If any of those facts gave rise to concern on
Petitioner‟s part, they should have been made known early on, at least prior to the argument.
Nothing in Petitioner‟s motions or supporting briefs show any recently discovered facts that
would cast doubt upon the ability of the three challenged Justices to perform their duties in an
unbiased and impartial manner.
Regardless of whether the motions were timely, no grounds exist for any of the three
Justices to recuse themselves under either the Code of Judicial Conduct or Idaho law. The Code
of Judicial Conduct provides that “A judge shall disqualify himself or herself in a proceeding
where the judge‟s impartiality might reasonably be questioned, including but not limited to
instances where . . . the judge has a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party or a party‟s
lawyer, or has personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts that might reasonably affect the
judge‟s impartiality in the proceedings.” This appears to be the ground upon which Petitioner
relies in his motions for disqualification.
Petitioner‟s argument is essentially that Chief Justice Eismann had knowledge of
evidentiary facts outside of the record by virtue of his position on the Council, that the Chief
Justice was biased against Petitioner, and that the bias is likely to have infected the impartiality
of three of the other four Justices deliberating on the case. Petitioner has cited absolutely no
facts that would support the contention that the three Justices targeted by the motions for
disqualification hold any animus toward Petitioner or that any three of the four remaining
Justices somehow obtained knowledge of pertinent facts not contained in the record. It should be
noted that this opinion addresses two primary questions. The first question is the interpretation
of the words “actually reside,” which is a pure question of law. This question is not influenced
in any manner by the facts of the case, whether they are contained in the record or elsewhere.
The second question is a factual one―whether Petitioner actually resides in the county
designated by the Legislature. The three Justices who are the subject of the disqualification
6
motions have no knowledge of facts pertaining to Petitioner‟s actual residency, except as
contained in the record. As will be apparent from the reading of this opinion, almost all of the
pertinent facts relevant to this factual determination are based on statements made by Petitioner
to Hamlin, testimony given by Petitioner at the Council hearing, or documents signed by
Petitioner. The Court specifically advised the parties in several orders issued prior to argument
that the case would be decided only upon facts contained in the record and that is precisely what
the Court has done.
Whether it is necessary for a judicial officer to disqualify himself in a given case is left to
the sound discretion of the judicial officer himself. Sivak v. State, 112 Idaho 197, 206, 731 P.2d
192, 201 (1986). A statement of former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist is
instructive as to how an appellate judge might make a recusal decision. See Microsoft Corp. v.
United States, 530 U.S. 1301 (2000). There, the Chief Justice was considering whether he
should recuse himself in an appeal where his son was a partner in a firm representing a party in
the appeal. Chief Justice Rehnquist considered 28 U.S.C. § 455, a federal statute that sets forth
the legal criteria for the disqualification of federal judicial officers. Although the federal statute
and its interpretation are not binding on this Court, Chief Justice Rehnquist‟s statement is
instructive because of the similar purpose and language in Canon 3 of the Idaho Code of Judicial
Conduct and 28 U.S.C. § 455. Chief Justice Rehnquist stated:
Section 455(a) contains the more general declaration that a Justice “shall
disqualify himself in any proceeding in which his impartiality might reasonably
be questioned.” As this Court has stated, what matters under § 455(a) “is not the
reality of bias or prejudice but its appearance.” Likely v. United States, 510 U.S.
540, 548, 114 S.Ct. 1147, 127 L.Ed.2d 474 (1994). This inquiry is an objective
one, made from the perspective of a reasonable observer who is informed of all
the surrounding facts and circumstances.
Id. at 1302. According to the Chief Justice, the decision whether a judge‟s impartiality can
“reasonably be questioned” is to be made in light of the facts as they existed, and not as they
were surmised or reported. Id. Applying this standard to his situation, the Chief Justice declined
to recuse himself, concluding that his participation in the case did not give rise to an appearance
of partiality. Id.
Nor is such the case here. Petitioner has failed to present facts that a reasonable observer
could consider in determining that recusal is appropriate. Petitioner merely speculates that Chief
Justice Eismann had knowledge of facts outside of the record, which the Chief Justice denied in
7
his sworn affidavit, and that somehow those facts were imparted to three of the four other
Justices sitting on his case. He fails to disclose why the fourth Justice was not exposed to the
same information. It is interesting to note that Petitioner is suing all four of the remaining
Justices in his federal court action, asserting individual claims against each and every one of the
four.
Even had Petitioner carried his burden of showing bias or lack of impartiality, three-
fourths of the panel need not have recused itself. In Eismann v. Miller, 101 Idaho 692, 619 P.2d
1145 (1980), the Court considered whether recusal was appropriate where the appellant in the
case before the Court had filed a separate legal action against all members of the Court, as well
as a number of trial court judges. The Justices declined to recuse themselves based on the “rule
of necessity.” According to the Court, “Ordinarily, a member or members of this court engaged
in legal action with a party appearing before this court in regard to another matter would
voluntarily disqualify themselves. However, this is far from an ordinary situation.” Id. at 696,
619 P.2d at 1149. The Court continued: “As recognized in Higer v. Hansen, 67 Idaho 45, 170
P.2d 411 (1946), where disqualification results in an absence of judicial machinery capable of
dealing with the matter, disqualification must yield to necessity. 67 Idaho 50-51, 170 P.2d at
413-14.” Id. To grant Petitioner‟s motions for disqualification, even if they had merit, would
place the decision of this Court in the hands of five pro tem justices, would require reargument of
the case, and would likely produce the same result because the determination of this case will be
made strictly on the facts in the record and be based upon the interpretation of the applicable law.
Neither the facts nor the law would change with new judicial officers.
IV. DISCOVERY ISSUES
Petitioner contends that the Council wrongfully failed to respond to his discovery
requests. He sought: (a) the identity of the person(s) who prompted the Council investigations;
(b) the additional information received by the Council that prompted it to re-open the
investigation in 2007; (c) the internal report of the Council‟s preliminary investigation; (d) all
complaints made to the Council against Petitioner; (e) all documents generated and reviewed by
the Council in response to those complaints; and (f) the minutes of all Council meetings in which
Petitioner‟s name appears. The Council refused to provide the requested information on the
ground that it was confidential pursuant to its Rule 24. Petitioner renewed his request for
discovery on a number of occasions before this Court.
8
We need not address the confidentiality issue because it is clear the discovery sought was
not and is not relevant to the residency issue upon which this case turns. Rule 22(b) of the Rules
of Idaho Judicial Council adopts the discovery rules of the Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure,
including Rule 26. Rule 26(b)(1) of those rules limits discovery to “any matter, not privileged,
which is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending action . . .” The discovery sought
by Petitioner simply isn‟t relevant to the legal interpretation of the words “actually reside” nor to
the factual determination regarding the location of Petitioner‟s actual residence. As previously
pointed out, almost all of the factual evidence regarding Petitioner‟s residence was provided in
this matter by Petitioner.
Furthermore, Petitioner did conduct discovery in the proceedings before the Council and
he had full opportunity to cross-examine witnesses in the Council hearing. If Petitioner believed
that he had not been able to obtain and present additional relevant evidence to the Council, he
had the option under Idaho Code section 1-2103 to request this Court to permit him to introduce
additional evidence for our consideration. Petitioner failed to make such a request and,
therefore, the Court‟s review was, pursuant to the statute, confined to the record of proceedings
before the Council.
V. RIGHT TO CONFRONT ACCUSERS
Petitioner contends that he is entitled to know the identity of the person(s) who prompted the
Council investigations because he has a right to confront his accusers. Even though the
Executive Director of the Council testified twice under oath in the Council hearing that there was
no original complaint or verified statement filed with the Council, Petitioner continues to request
discovery of the identity of his accuser. He asserts, “Judge Bradbury has a basic right to know
the identity of his accuser and the accusations made.” Although he does not expressly state the
source of this basic right, we assume that Petitioner is referring to the Sixth Amendment right to
confront one‟s accusers. That Amendment applies to criminal prosecutions, and this is not a
criminal prosecution.
Even if it were applicable and even if there were an “accuser,” it would not give
Petitioner the right to the identity of any such person. No such person testified at the hearing and
no information from an informer was contained in the record before the Court. The witnesses at
the hearing were Petitioner, the Idaho County Clerk, and Hamlin. Petitioner had ample
opportunity to confront those witnesses. He was present when they testified, he questioned
9
them, and he does not contend that he was in any way wrongfully limited in such questioning. If
any person provided information that played a part in the Council‟s investigation, such person
was not an “accuser” as that term is used in connection with the Sixth Amendment right “to be
confronted with the witnesses against him.” No such person was a witness nor was any
information that any such person may have provided included in the record. Our findings are
based upon the evidence in the record.
VI. ALLEGED PREJUDICE OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL
Petitioner contends that the Council was prejudiced against him. He contends that the
alleged prejudice is shown by two facts.
First, the Council‟s notice of formal proceedings alleged two counts of violations of the
Judicial Canons regarding travel expense vouchers when the Council had not previously given
Petitioner notice of those allegations. The Council did not make any findings or
recommendations regarding those counts. Therefore, that conduct does not indicate prejudice. It
may have been different had the Council found violations that were clearly unsupported by the
facts and law.
Second, Petitioner contends that the letter dated October 7, 2008, from the Special
Examiner hired by the Council shows that the Council had pre-judged the disciplinary
proceedings. Petitioner‟s counsel had inquired whether the Council would be willing to mediate
the matter. In response, the Special Examiner wrote back:
I have passed your suggestion that we mediate the disciplinary case now
pending against Judge Bradbury on to the Judicial Council for their review. The
Council has authorized me to agree that, if your client admits to having violated
I.C. §§ 1-803 and 809 by not actually residing in Idaho County during the past
two years (Count I) and agrees to immediately take up full-time residence in
Idaho County, we will mediate the question of what sanction should be imposed
and drop all other charges.
The Council feels strongly that Judge Bradbury‟s refusal to obey the
relevant statute, even after having been warned by the Executive Director of the
need to do so, cannot be mediated away as if it had never occurred.
Petitioner argues that the second paragraph of the letter shows that the Council had
already determined that he did not actually reside in Idaho County. When that paragraph is read
in context with the preceding paragraph, it merely states that the Council would not mediate
whether Petitioner was required to comply with Idaho Code §§ 1-803 and 1-809. Any mediation
would be limited to the sanction imposed if Petitioner admitted the violation.
10
VII. THE MEANING OF THE WORDS “ACTUALLY RESIDE”
Idaho Code section 1-803 provides that the resident chambers of one district judge in the
Second Judicial District shall be in Idaho County. Idaho Code section 1-809 provides, “District
judges shall actually reside at the place designated as resident chambers.” Petitioner ran for and
was elected to the district judge position that was required to establish resident chambers in
Idaho County. The primary issue before us is whether Petitioner actually resides in Idaho
County.
Petitioner contends that the term “actually reside” is ambiguous. It is Petitioner‟s
position that he can actually reside in several different locations at the same time. In his
testimony before the Council he indicated he was actually residing in Grangeville even though he
spent six if not seven days per week in another house in another county. During oral argument it
was argued on his behalf that the term only requires physical presence in Idaho County, as
infrequently as once every ten years. He also argued that the word “actually” is mere surplusage
and that he has no idea why the Legislature may have used the word “actually” to modify
“reside.”
In Sweitzer v. Dean, we stated the standard for interpreting the language of a statute as
follows:
When interpreting the meaning of the language contained in a statute, this
Court‟s task is to give effect to the legislature‟s intent and purpose. In construing
a statute, the Supreme Court may examine the language used, reasonableness of
the proposed interpretations, and the policy behind the statutes. It is incumbent
upon this Court to interpret a statute in a manner that will not nullify it, and it is
not to be presumed that the legislature performed an idle act of enacting a
superfluous statute. The Supreme Court will not construe a statute in a way
which makes mere surplusage of provisions included therein.
118 Idaho 568, 571-72, 798 P.2d 27, 30-31 (1990) (citations omitted). In addition, “Statutory
interpretation begins with the „literal words of the statute,‟ and those „words must be given their
plain, usual, and ordinary meaning, and the statute must be construed as a whole.‟” Cordova v.
Bonneville County Joint Sch. Dist. No. 93, 144 Idaho 637, 641, 167 P.3d 774, 778 (2007)
(citations omitted).
The word “reside” means “to dwell for a long time; have one‟s residence; live (in or at).”
Webster‟s New World Dictionary 1142 (3rd College Ed. 1988). “Residence” is defined as the
“place where one actually lives, as distinguished from a domicile.” Black‟s Law Dictionary
1335 (8th Ed. 2004). The word “actually” means “as a matter of actual fact; really.” Webster‟s
11
at 14. Thus, in order to actually reside at his or her resident chambers, a judge is required to
actually live in the designated county. In Intermountain Health Care, Inc. v. Board of
Commissioners of Blaine County, we defined “residence” as “the place where one actually lives
or has his home; a person‟s dwelling place or place of habitation; an abode; the house where
one‟s home is; a dwelling house.” 109 Idaho 412, 414, 707 P.2d 1051, 1053 (1985) (quoting
Perez v. Health & Social Services, 573 P.2d 689, 692 (N.M. 1977) (emphasis added)).
The words “actually reside” or derivatives thereof have long been used in Idaho‟s legal
history. They appear in section 5 of the Organic Act of the Territory of Idaho, 12 Stat. L. 808,
ch. 117(1863), which provided that every “free white male inhabitant” above the age of twenty-
one years who was an “actual resident” of the Territory at the time of passage of the act was
entitled to vote and eligible to hold office in the Territory. Upon statehood, article VI, section 2
of the Idaho Constitution provided the right to vote to twenty-one year old male citizens who had
“actually resided in the state or territory” for six months. Idaho Const., art. VI, § 2 (amended
1962). The words have also been written into a variety of statutes. In order to qualify for
certain scholarship aid, students must “actually reside” in on-campus facilities. Idaho Code §§
33-4302 and 33-4032A. The majority of members of an insurer that operates only in the State of
Idaho must “actually reside” in the state. I.C. § 41-2835(4). Idaho Code section 50-102, which
provides for the manner in which cities may be incorporated, restricts signatures on an initiating
petition to qualified electors who are “actual residents” of the territory proposed to be
incorporated. An earlier version of this statute was interpreted by the Court in Village of Ilo v.
Ramey, 18 Idaho 642, 648, 112 P. 126, 128 (1910). There, we equated the words “actual
resident” with “inhabitant.” An “inhabitant” is “a person who dwells or resides permanently in a
place as distinguished from a transient lodger or visitor.” Webster‟s, at 1163.
Some legislative history is also pertinent to our inquiry. Prior to 1967, Chapter 8, Title 1,
Idaho Code, divided the state into eleven judicial districts. In 1967, Chapter 8 was repealed and
re-enacted to provide for the seven judicial districts the state now has. 1967 Idaho Sess. Laws,
ch. 51. The legislation established the resident chambers for all district judge positions and
enacted Idaho Code § 1-809 in its present form. The short title of the legislation reads, in
pertinent part, “PROVIDING FOR THE RESIDENT CHAMBERS OF DISTRICT JUDGES;
REQUIRING A DISTRICT JUDGE RESIDE AT RESIDENT CHAMBERS.” Former Idaho
Code section 1-901, which was repealed in 1975 (1975 Sess. Laws, ch. 242), had provided that a
12
district judge “may sit at chambers anywhere within his district.” However, the new section 1-
809 required district judges to “actually reside” at their resident chambers. It is rather clear the
Legislature wanted district judges to live in the county where their resident chambers were
located and to be a part of that community.
Virtually every district judge who has been appointed or elected since 1967 has
understood that section 1-901 requires that him or her to really live in the county designated as
resident chambers. Indeed, there is strong evidence in the record that Petitioner understood this
to be the case when he ran for the Idaho County position. Petitioner testified that he bought a
house in Grangeville, that he took out a homestead exemption on that house and still maintained
the exemption as of the time of the Council hearing on December 17, 2008, and that he
registered to vote in Idaho County. Petitioner would not have taken a homestead exemption and
registered to vote in Idaho County unless he clearly understood that this county was to be his
primary residence.
A district judge is “presumed to know the law.” State v. Leavitt, 121 Idaho 4, 6, 822 P.2d
523, 525 (1991); City of Lewiston v. Frary, 91 Idaho 322, 327, 420 P.2d 805, 810 (1966). It
necessarily follows that district judges must also comply with the law. Thus, we must assume
that Petitioner understood the significance of obtaining and maintaining a homeowner‟s
exemption and of voting in Idaho County.
Idaho Code section 63-602G(1) allows for the exemption of a person‟s homestead as that
term is defined in Idaho Code section 63-701(2). A homestead is “the dwelling, owner-occupied
by the claimant . . . . and used as the primary dwelling place of the claimant.” I.C. § 63-701(2).
Idaho Code section 63-602G(2)(a) specifies that the exemption may be granted only if the
homestead is owner-occupied and used as the primary dwelling place of the owner. Subsection
2(c)(ii) requires the owner to certify to the county assessor that the homestead is his “primary
dwelling place.” Subsection 2(f) states that the definition of “primary dwelling place” is the
same as that in Idaho Code section 63-701(8). The latter provision says the primary dwelling
place is:
the claimant‟s dwelling place on January 1 or before April 15 of the year for
which the claim is made. The primary dwelling place is the single place where a
claimant has his true, fixed and permanent home and principal establishment, and
to which whenever the individual is absent he has the intention of returning. A
claimant must establish the dwelling to which the claim relates to be his primary
13
dwelling place by clear and convincing evidence or by establishing that the
dwelling is where the claimant resided on January 1 or before April 15 and:
(i) At least six (6) months during the prior year; or
(ii) The majority of the time the claimant owned the dwelling if owned by the
claimant less than one (1) year; or
(iii) The majority of the time after the claimant first occupied the dwelling if
occupied by the claimant for less than one (1) year.
Idaho Code section 63-701(6) defines “occupied” as meaning “actual use and
possession.” An owner need only apply once for homeowner‟s exemption, but must maintain
eligibility on a yearly basis. I.C. § 63-602G(3). The current version of the homeowner‟s
exemption was enacted in 2006. The earlier versions of the statute did not use the word
homestead, but did require that the property be the primary dwelling place of the owner. Being a
judicial officer, with full knowledge of the law, Petitioner would certainly not have applied for a
homeowner‟s exemption on the Idaho County house unless he clearly understood that it was to
be his primary dwelling place and that he was to maintain it as such for each subsequent year.
Although one could certainly question his subsequent compliance with the foregoing statutes,
that is a matter for pursuit, if any, by county officials (see Idaho Code section 63-602G(5), which
empowers county officials to seek recovery of tax revenues lost to improperly claimed
homeowner‟s exemptions) and not the subject of our present inquiry.
Unless Petitioner understood that Idaho County was to be and remain the location of his
primary residence, he would not have registered to vote and continued to vote in that county.
According to Idaho Code section 34-107:
(1) Residence,” for voting purposes, shall be the principal or primary home or
place of abode of a person. Principal or primary home or place of abode is that
home or place in which his habitation is fixed and to which a person, whenever he
is absent has the present intention of returning after a departure or absence
therefrom, regardless of the duration of absence.
***
(4) A qualified elector shall not be considered to have gained a residence in any
county or city of this state into which he comes for temporary purposes only,
without the intention of making it his home but with the intention of leaving it
when he has accomplished the purpose that brought him there.
Indeed, the registration form signed by Petitioner on October 16, 2003, states:
14
UNDER PENALTY OF LAW: By signing this card, I certify that I am a citizen
of the United States and that I shall have been a resident of Idaho and the county
for 30 days before the next election at which I vote . . .
It is obvious that Petitioner would not have signed a false certificate and equally obvious that he
understood Idaho County was to be his primary home and fixed habitation. Although the
evidence indicates that his subsequent compliance with the voting requirements is less than ideal,
that is a matter for other authorities.
One further fact demonstrates that Petitioner understood he was required to actually
reside or really live in Idaho County. During his testimony at the Council hearing, he
acknowledged having asked the Legislature to amend Idaho Code section 1-803 so he could
reside in Clearwater County. If, as Petitioner has contended, he can actually reside in several
different counties at the same time, there would be no need to obtain such a change in the law.
While it is clear that Petitioner initially understood he was required to live in Idaho
County, the record reflects that he was not doing so during the period preceding the time he was
interviewed by Hamlin. It is not clear from the record when Petitioner began using his Lewiston
house as his primary residence. What is clear is that he was not complying with the residence
requirements of Idaho Code sections 1-803 and 1-809 when these proceedings were initiated
because he was living in Nez Perce County.
At some point Petitioner actually claimed Nez Perce County as his principal residence.
This occurred when he registered his vehicles in Nez Perce County. The record does not clearly
reflect when this occurred. Petitioner testified that as of December 17, 2008, his vehicles were
registered in Nez Perce County. Idaho Code section 49-401B(5) provides in pertinent part:
Every owner of a vehicle registered by a county assessor shall give his principal
residence or domicile address to the assessor so that the proper county can be
entered upon the registration. Failure to do so shall be unlawful....For the purpose
of vehicle registration, a person is an actual and permanent resident of the county
in which he has his principal residence or domicile. A principal residence or
domicile shall not be a person‟s workplace, vacation, or part-time residence.
It is not entirely clear how one might reconcile this inconsistent certification but, again, this is a
matter for consideration by other authorities and not particularly pertinent to the present inquiry.
In sum, Petitioner is required pursuant to Idaho Code sections 1-803 and 1-809 to
actually reside in Idaho County. That means he must maintain his primary residence in Idaho
County, that he must be an inhabitant of Idaho County, and that he must really live in Idaho
15
County. The evidence in the record indicates that he has not been actually residing in Idaho
County for some time and this must change.
VIII. CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY
A number of times during these proceedings, commencing with his interview by Hamlin,
Petitioner has contended that living in Idaho County interferes with his ability to carry out his
constitutional duty. He does not identify the constitutional provision that would trump the
statutory requirement that he reside in Idaho County. The argument displays a fundamental
misunderstanding of the pertinent constitutional provisions.
While Idaho‟s judicial system is a separate branch of government, it depends upon the
Legislature for funding. Article V, section 11 of the Idaho Constitution divides the state into five
judicial districts but provides that “the legislature may reduce or increase the number of districts,
district judges and district attorneys.” The Legislature may use its power over the purse strings
to fund a particular district judge position in a particular locale. It has chosen to do so by virtue
of Idaho Code sections 1-803 and 1-809. For better or for worse, this is a political decision that
is within the legislative prerogative. Those who are familiar with the political situation in the
less populated counties of Idaho are aware of the jockeying that goes on when the Supreme
Court notifies the Legislature of the need for an additional judge in a particular district and
suggests where the same might be chambered. The Court certainly has the ability to suggest the
proposed location where the district judge is most needed, but the Legislature takes the matter
from there and the counties often enter into fierce competition to have the judge housed in their
county, rather than the adjoining county. County residents have a strong interest in having a
judge live and work in their community and the exact location where that will occur is a political
decision conferred by the Constitution upon the Legislature. While the Legislature‟s decision as
to which district judge position will be funded and where it will be located may not always
coincide with what is ideal from an administrative standpoint, it is not for the courts to second
guess or circumvent such decisions.
Once a district judge is appointed to live in a particular county, the Idaho Supreme Court
exercises its constitutional responsibility to administer and supervise the work of the district
judge. Art. V, § 2 of the Idaho Constitution provides that, “The courts shall constitute a unified
and integrated judicial system for administration and supervision by the Supreme Court.” As we
stated in Eismann v. Miller, this provision “places the obligation and power to administer and
16
supervise the judicial system of this state squarely upon the shoulders of this court.” 101 Idaho
at 697, 619 P.2d at 1150. The Idaho Supreme Court, being vested with power to administer and
supervise the entire court system, is responsible for delineating the duties of district judges and
specifying how those duties will be performed. Nothing in our constitutional system allows an
individual district judge to determine, on his own, what his duties are and how they will be
performed. Our constitutional system does not allow any district judge of this State to ignore
specific statutory provisions by claiming them to be trumped by some undefined constitutional
duty. No judge is above the law.
IX. VIOLATION OF CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT AS GROUNDS FOR
DISCIPLINE
The Council concluded:
That District Judge John H. Bradbury‟s failure to actually reside in Idaho
County, is wilful and is a violation of Idaho Code of Judicial Conduct Canon 1(A)
and 2(A) and pursuant to Idaho Code § 1-2103, is wilful misconduct in office and
conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office
into dispute.
Petitioner contends that a violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct cannot be a basis for
discipline. He argues that grounds for discipline are limited to a violation of Idaho Code section
1-2103. That statute provides, in part, that a justice or judge may be disciplined or removed “for
wilful misconduct in office . . . or conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings
judicial office into disrepute.” This Court adopted the Code of Judicial Conduct to establish
standards for ethical conduct by Idaho judges. A violation of the Code may constitute wilful
misconduct in office or conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings judicial
office into disrepute. Becker, 122 Idaho at 293-94, 834 P.2d at 295-96. We point out, however,
that when a petition has been filed in this Court to review the Council‟s determination, this Court
decides whether the judge‟s conduct constitutes grounds for discipline.
While the Council determined that Petitioner‟s actions were in violation of the Code of
Judicial Conduct, it recommended little in the way of disciplinary action. It did not censure the
Petitioner or recommend that he be unconditionally deprived of his office. Rather, the Council
adopted a no harm, no foul approach, recommending that he be suspended from acting as a
district judge until he changed his place of actual residency to Idaho County. The Council
recognized that no such suspension would take place unless ordered by the Court. The Council
17
also recommended that Petitioner be required to pay the costs incurred by the Council in
investigating and litigating the proceeding.
We find that it is appropriate to adopt a no harm, no foul approach in order to accomplish
the objective of enforcing the legislative decision to locate Petitioner‟s position in Idaho County.
Having determined that a common sense interpretation of “actually reside” requires that
Petitioner establish and maintain his primary residence in Idaho County, we need not take the
additional step of determining whether Petitioner violated the Code of Judicial Conduct. It
would serve no purpose. Petitioner stated in the Council hearing and his attorney reiterated in
his presentation to this Court that Petitioner would comply with this Court‟s determination as to
where the Legislature required that he live. So long as Petitioner carries through with these
representations, the matter will be satisfactorily resolved.
X. THE APPROPRIATE RESOLUTION
We hereby order that within twenty-one (21) days of the release of this opinion,
Petitioner must (1) establish his primary residence in Idaho County and (2) submit to the Court
an affidavit stating that he is actually residing in Idaho County and will continue to actually
reside in Idaho County so long as he is required to do so by law. Upon Petitioner‟s compliance
with this Order, we will not require that he reimburse the Council for its costs incurred in this
matter. A final Order will issue upon fulfillment of these compliance terms. If compliance is not
forthcoming within said 21-day period, we will revisit this Order.
Justices BURDICK and W. JONES, CONCUR
KIDWELL, J. Pro Tem, dissenting in part:
Respectfully, I disagree with the majority Opinion‟s resolution (section X) of this matter
and the analysis of the words actual residence (section VII).
Actual residence when required by a statute is more readily subjectively discussed, than
objectively defined. Whether utilizing “common sense” or “clear meaning of the statute” or
“intent of the drafters,” it seems apparent that there must be some period of physical presence at
a specific physical location. Further narrowing of the definition or historical analogies includes
subjective determinations not in the record before us.
Judge Bradbury has two residences or homes in Idaho; one in Idaho County (Grangeville)
and one in Nez Perce County (Lewiston). The relevant statute requires actual residence in Idaho
County. However, having two or more homes in Idaho is not precluded.
18
It is important to note before addressing the residence issue, that neither the record
presented or the majority opinion suggests any shirking of his job. On the contrary it appears
that Judge Bradbury is dutifully carrying out the responsibilities to which he has been
constitutionally elected.
The controversy arises here because the Judicial Council raised the question of whether
the judge actually resides in Grangeville because he spends approximately one or two days a
week at his home there. Judge Bradbury testified in deposition that he spends more time on the
road or at his home in Lewiston than at his home in Grangeville, because of the duties and
demands of traveling throughout his judicial district.
The record indicates that Judge Bradbury, upon being elected as District Judge,
purchased a home in Grangeville (he had owned a ranch in the county in previous years).
Subsequently he took out a homeowner‟s exemption and signed the requisite forms indicating his
intent to make that his primary home. He also began voting from Grangeville, and he pays taxes
and gets his judicial mail in Grangeville.
Based on the conflicting and limited information presented, I am unable to conclude that
Judge Bradbury is in violation of Idaho‟s residency requirement statute. This matter should be
dismissed at this time, but without prejudice to the Judicial Council„s right to proceed with
additional information if it decides to do so.
19