Idaho Code §§ 6-301 to 6-324 § 6-315
AMENDMENT OF COMPLAINT.
Operative Text
When, upon the trial of any proceeding under this chapter, it appears from the evidence that the defendant has been guilty of either a forcible entry or a forcible or unlawful detainer, and other than the offense charged in the complaint, the judge must order that such complaint be forthwith amended to conform to such proofs. Such amendment must be without any imposition of terms. No continuance shall be permitted upon account of such amendment unless the defendant, by affidavit filed, shows to the satisfaction of the court good cause therefor.
Idaho Code Title 6, Chapter 3, § 6-315 addresses what happens when trial evidence reveals a different type of wrongful entry or detainer than what was originally alleged in the complaint. Under this provision, the judge is required to amend the complaint on the spot to match what the evidence actually shows, and that amendment cannot come with any penalty or fee imposed on either party. A continuance (delay in proceedings) is only available to the defendant if they file an affidavit demonstrating good cause to the court's satisfaction.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 6-315, landlords pursuing a forcible entry or unlawful detainer action in Idaho should be aware that the complaint can be amended mid-trial to reflect what the evidence actually proves, even if that differs from the original charge. Compliant operators generally ensure their documentation and evidence are thorough and consistent, since the proceeding can shift to address a different category of wrongful conduct than initially pleaded. Because continuances after such an amendment are limited, property managers typically prepare for trial with complete records to avoid procedural surprises.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 6-315 of the Idaho Code provides defendants in forcible entry and unlawful detainer proceedings with a procedural protection: if the complaint is amended at trial to allege a different offense, no fees or penalties are imposed on the defendant as a result of that amendment. Defendants also retain the right to request a continuance if the amendment catches them off guard, provided they file an affidavit showing good cause to the court. Tenants facing such proceedings may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service to understand how this provision could affect their case.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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