Sexual Assault Attorneys in Idaho: Your Complete Legal Guide

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A survivor of childhood sexual abuse in Idaho has until five years after turning 18, or five years after discovering both the abuse and its connection to an injury, whichever is later. The second branch has no outer age limit written into the statute, which can make the discovery date the deciding fact in an Idaho case. A person assaulted as an adult has two years. Below are the civil and criminal rules as Idaho Code states them, questions to raise with a lawyer, and five firms that represent survivors in Idaho.

If anyone is in immediate danger, 911 is the first call. The National Sexual Assault Hotline, 1-800-656-4673, can point Idaho callers to local help.

The Idaho Code text quoted below was reviewed in October 2026. The explanation is general and leaves the analysis of any specific claim to a lawyer.

Childhood Abuse: Age 23 or Five Years From Discovery, Whichever Is Later

Idaho places childhood abuse claims in a dedicated chapter, Title 6, Chapter 17, “Tort Actions in Child Abuse Cases.” Its limitation section, Idaho Code § 6-1704(1), reads: “Notwithstanding any limitation contained in chapter 2, title 5, Idaho Code, an action under the provisions of this chapter must be commenced within five (5) years from the date that an aggrieved child reaches the age of eighteen (18) years or, after the child reaches the age of eighteen (18) years, within five (5) years of the time the child discovers or reasonably should have discovered the act, abuse or exploitation and its causal relationship to an injury or condition suffered by the child, whichever occurs later.”

The first branch closes on the 23rd birthday. The second runs five years from discovery of two things together: the act, and its causal link to an injury or condition. A survivor who always remembered the abuse but connected it to an injury only later may therefore be within the second branch long after age 23.

Two more subsections help survivors build the discovery date:

  • A series of acts (§ 6-1704(2)). “The child need not establish which act in a series of continuing acts, abuse or exploitation caused the injury complained of but may compute the date of discovery from the date of discovery of the last act by the same perpetrator which is part of a common scheme or plan.”
  • A parent’s knowledge does not count (§ 6-1704(3)). “The knowledge of a custodial parent or guardian shall not be imputed to a child under the age of eighteen (18) years.” A defendant cannot argue that the clock started because a parent knew.

Idaho has never opened a revival window. CHILD USA reports that neither § 6-1704 nor the chapter around it contains any provision reviving claims barred under earlier law.

Assaults on Adults and Claims Against Public Bodies

Section 6-1704 covers actions under the child abuse chapter. An assault on an adult falls under § 5-219, which sets a two-year period for “an injury to the person” in subsection 4 and for “libel, slander, assault, battery, false imprisonment or seduction” in subsection 5. The text quoted here is the FindLaw version dated January 1, 2024. A claim against a public school, county, or state agency also carries notice requirements under Idaho’s tort claims law, which this page does not set out. Both questions turn on exact statutory text and on when the claim arose, so they belong at the top of a first meeting with a lawyer, especially where the defendant is a public body.

Criminal Deadlines Under §§ 19-401 to 19-403

A prosecution is the state’s case, and its time limits are separate. Idaho Code § 19-401, amended in 2026, provides that “there is no limitation of time within which a prosecution for the following crimes must be commenced,” including “Rape pursuant to section 18-6101(3) through (10), Idaho Code,” and “Sexual abuse of a child, lewd conduct with a child, or aggravated lewd conduct with a child as set forth in sections 18-1506, 18-1508, 18-1508B, and 18-1508C, Idaho Code,” along with producing sexually exploitative material under § 18-1507(2)(b).

Other offenses keep a deadline:

  • Other felonies (§ 19-402): five years after commission. Prosecutions under §§ 18-1506A and 18-1506B must begin “within three (3) years after the date of initial disclosure by the victim to law enforcement.”
  • Misdemeanors (§ 19-403(1)): one year after commission.
  • Failure to report child abuse (§ 19-403(2)): four years after commission.

CHILD USA points out the consequence of the five-year felony rule: because it runs from commission rather than from the victim’s 18th birthday, a sexual felony outside the § 19-401 list committed against a young child can expire while the child is still a minor.

The civil period in § 6-1704 does not depend on any of these. A civil claim can proceed whether or not anyone was charged.

Information an Idaho Lawyer Will Ask For

Bring the survivor’s date of birth, the dates of the abuse, the name of each person or organization involved, and the date the survivor connected the abuse to an injury or condition. Expect the discussion to cover:

  1. Does the age-23 branch or the discovery branch of § 6-1704(1) give the later deadline, and what evidence fixes the discovery date?
  2. If the abuse was a series of acts, does § 6-1704(2) move the discovery date to the last act?
  3. If a parent knew at the time, how does § 6-1704(3) answer that defense?
  4. For an assault as an adult, which Title 5 statute governs, and when did it start?
  5. Is any defendant a public school, county, or state agency, and what notice must be given, by when?
  6. Did an organization conceal what it knew, and does that open any claim beyond the ordinary deadline?
  7. How is the contingency fee calculated, who pays case costs if there is no recovery, and does the firm represent any likely defendant or insurer in other matters?

Top 5 Sexual Assault Attorneys in Idaho

1. Chasan & Walton LLC

Chasan & Walton is Boise’s most established firm for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and one of the most experienced sexual abuse plaintiff practices in Idaho. Founded in 1981, Andrew Chasan and Timothy Walton have represented survivors in landmark cases including lawsuits against the Society of Jesus Oregon Province, the LDS Church, and the Boy Scouts of America involving abuse in Idaho Scout troops. They helped establish new Idaho law enlarging the civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse and the law defining punitive damages for reckless misconduct. Andrew Chasan argued key sexual abuse cases before the Idaho Supreme Court, creating a fraud-based pathway for survivors whose regular statute of limitations may be expired but who can show institutional concealment of known abuse. Both attorneys are Super Lawyers selectees. Andrew Chasan has been recognized by Super Lawyers continuously from 2008 to 2023. Contingency fee basis.

2. Dumas & Vaughn, LLC

Dumas & Vaughn is a Portland-based sexual abuse litigation firm that actively represents Idaho survivors and frequently co-counsels with Chasan & Walton on Idaho cases. The firm represented 28 men sexually abused as children by Boy Scout leaders in Idaho in claims against the Boy Scouts of America and the LDS Church. Gilion Dumas was co-counsel on the Kerry Lewis case against the Boy Scouts that resulted in a nearly $20 million verdict. The firm handles cases involving child sexual abuse, organizational abuse (Boy Scouts, Catholic Church, Assemblies of God, LDS Church), adult sexual assault, therapist and counselor abuse, and massage therapist sexual assault. They have represented survivors in Oregon, Idaho, California, Montana, Washington, Iowa, and Texas. Confidential intake with their intake specialist. Contingency fee basis.

3. Perez & Perez Law PLLC

Perez & Perez Law is a Washington/Idaho firm with decades of experience litigating sexual assault victim cases in both states. The firm handles sexual assault civil claims against perpetrators, as well as against employers, institutions, and organizations whose negligence contributed to the assault. They represent clients throughout the state of Idaho and understand the complex factual scenarios that make sexual assault civil claims successful even when the criminal may have no assets. Services include obtaining civil no contact orders, representing the survivor throughout the criminal case, and filing civil lawsuits for damages. Free one-hour consultation. Contingency fee basis. Bilingual: habla español.

4. Attorneys of Idaho

Attorneys of Idaho is a Boise personal injury and criminal defense firm that handles sexual abuse and assault civil claims for survivors. The firm advises survivors on the civil lawsuit process including the duty of care framework required to establish institutional liability, evidence gathering (medical records, mental health assessments, communications), and third-party claims against organizations whose negligence enabled the abuse. Cases against employers, religious institutions, supervisors, and organizations are handled alongside direct claims against perpetrators. Free complimentary consultation at (208) 314-8888. Contingency fee basis.

5. Monteleone Law Offices, P.L.L.C.

Monteleone Law Offices is a Boise plaintiff’s firm with more than 25 years of practice in personal injury and employment law, serving the Treasure Valley, all of Idaho, and the Pacific Northwest. Jason Monteleone is a Mountain States Super Lawyer in plaintiff personal injury law, an AV-rated attorney with Martindale-Hubbell, and a former president of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association. The firm is listed by Super Lawyers in the sexual abuse plaintiff category. Practice covers personal injury, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and wrongful death. Jason is admitted to all Idaho state and federal courts and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. No fees unless they win. Free consultations.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am 30 and was abused as a child. Is it too late?

Not necessarily. The age-23 branch of § 6-1704(1) has passed, but the discovery branch runs five years from when you discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, both the abuse and its causal relationship to an injury or condition. The later of the two dates controls.

My mother knew about the abuse when I was 12. Did my deadline start then?

No. Section 6-1704(3) provides that the knowledge of a custodial parent or guardian is not imputed to a child under 18.

Has Idaho ever reopened expired childhood claims?

No. CHILD USA reports no revival provision in § 6-1704 or the chapter that contains it.

Can the abuser still be prosecuted years later?

For the offenses listed in § 19-401, including sexual abuse of a child, lewd conduct with a child, and rape under § 18-6101(3) through (10), there is no time limit. Other felonies carry five years from commission and misdemeanors one year.

Support and Reporting Lines

  • Emergency: 911
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
  • Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (office): 208-384-0419

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