STATE OF IDAHO JUDICIAL BRANCH
Supreme Court

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 7, 2019

Fourth Judicial District Trial Court Administrator Appointed

(Boise) – The Idaho Supreme Court has appointed Sandra Barrios, a long-time court professional with a broad court administration background, as the new trial court administrator for the Fourth Judicial District. Barrios will start her new role effective immediately.

The Fourth Judicial District trial court administrator role became vacant with the retirement of long-time incumbent Larry Reiner on June 30, 2019.

By court rule, trial court administrators are selected jointly by both the Administrative District Judge of the respective judicial district and the Administrative Director of the Courts, acting on behalf of the Supreme Court. Administrative District Judge Melissa Moody and Administrative Director of the Courts Sara Thomas held interviews with candidates in Boise earlier this week for the position.

Under the statewide framework of the Idaho courts, the Supreme Court may appoint a trial court administrator in each of Idaho’s seven judicial districts. The Fourth Judicial District—which includes Ada, Boise, Elmore, and Valley counties—has the largest population, highest number of case filings, and most judges among judicial districts statewide. “The Fourth Judicial District is fortunate to have Sandra Barrios as our new Trial Court Administrator. Ms. Barrios has an incredible work ethic and her focus on public access to the justice will benefit our trial courts and Idaho citizens,” said Judge Moody.

Thomas added, “After a nationwide search, we had a strong field of candidates, and although it was a very difficult decision, Sandra’s blend of trial court and statewide administrative experience, not to mention her strong collaborative skills, made her rise to the top. I look forward to working with Sandra in the years to come.”

Trial court administrators work under the Administrative District Judge, and assist the Supreme Court, through the Administrative Director of the Courts, in the Court's constitutional duties to administer and supervise a unified and integrated judicial system. Trial court administrators also implement the Supreme Court’s policy directives and carry out those administrative duties of the district court that may be established by statute or inherent power of the court.

“I'm very honored to have been appointed to serve the Fourth Judicial District as the trial court administrator and look forward to continuing to serve the entire judicial district in the very courthouse I started my career in, although in a different capacity,” stated Barrios.

After graduating from high school in Argentina, Barrios moved to the United States. She earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration with a concentration of management from the University of Phoenix and is pursuing her master’s degree in public administration. Her past career includes serving as a master-level court interpreter in multiple states as well as working in language access services both for Ada County and the Idaho Supreme Court before her most recent role as the assistant trial court administrator.

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Contact:
Sara B. Thomas
Administrative Director of the Courts
Idaho Supreme Court, 451 W. State Street, Boise, Idaho
Phone: 208-334-2246
Email: [email protected]
Judiciary’s Website: http://www.isc.idaho.gov