Worthington v. Crazy Thunder

Summary

The Idaho Supreme Court affirmed the district court's judgment vacating an unlawful-detainer judgment because the tenant's affirmative defenses presented legal issues and disputed facts requiring a jury trial. The court held that the statute requiring bench trials in certain unlawful-detainer actions is constitutional when the case involves only possession and no factual issues, but it cannot eliminate the jury right when pleadings present legal claims or factual issues. The court also held that the landlords' appellate arguments were not waived and awarded the tenant appellate costs but no attorney fees.