STORY BY MICHELLE STENNETT

PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Those who run government, more often than not, are not professionally trained to do the job but, rather, they are elected or appointed. Experience comes from time on the job.

But did you realize that, in many states, the coroner, sheriff, and probate judge or justice of the peace are also elected public officials, not requiring medical, full Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) requirements for certification, or judicial experience?

As you read this, keep in mind (and this gets tricky), sheriffs can also serve as a coroner. In Idaho, the coroner has the authority to arrest the sheriff, which is a tradition from English common law, and serve temporarily as sheriff. If a sheriff or coroner fails to comply with a court order, they can be held in contempt of court by a judge. Judges generally have authority over both sheriffs and coroners, as they preside over courts where legal proceedings occur.

Frequently, all over the country, in urban and rural counties, coroners assign cause and manner of death (particularly when sudden, violent, or unusual), takes custody of the body, outside of a hospital, list them on a death certificate with time of death and complete the death certificate, and testify in court cases all without medical training.

To be a sheriff in Idaho, you must be at least 21 years old, a U.S. citizen, reside in the county for at least one year prior to the election, and possess a valid Idaho driver's license. You will also need to pass a background check, physical fitness test, complete a six-month probation period with the department, and complete a basic law enforcement certification through the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) program or its equivalent within a specified time frame after employment.

Note…POST is required after employment, after being elected. Voters should be informed if the head of a sheriff’s department is trained, can manage employees, and understand budgets.

In many states, you don't need to be a lawyer to be a probate judge or justice of the peace. Even though they are generally not required to have a law degree, they are typically required to complete some form of judicial training after being elected or appointed.

In the early 1970s, Idaho placed probate judges and justices of the peace under the jurisdiction of the district judge or the magistrate judge of the district court who must have law degrees.

Voters have the power to choose who is most qualified for these elected positions. The quality of the service to the community by those who we elect depends on their willingness to continually advance their education, their attention to details, and experience. Our lives may depend on it.

Editor’s Note: Michelle Stennett, of Ketchum, is a retired state senator.