Jim Jones (judge)

Jim Jones (born May 13, 1942) is a Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court and a former Attorney General of Idaho.

Jones was born in Twin Falls, Idaho. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon and the Northwestern University School of Law. He served as an officer in the United States Army in Vietnam in the late 1960s, where he received several decorations including the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star.

Jones served as a legislative assistant to United States Senator Len Jordan. Afterwards he practiced law in Jerome and Boise.

Jones entered politics in 1978 as a candidate for United States House of Representatives in the Idaho Second Congressional District. He was defeated in the Republican primary by incumbent Congressman George V. Hansen. Jones ran again in 1980 but lost again to Hansen.

In 1982 Jones was elected Attorney General of Idaho as a Republican. He was reelected unopposed in 1986.

In 1990 Jones ran for the United States Senate seat vacated by Jim McClure. He was defeated in the Republican primary by Congressman Larry Craig. Jones returned to his private law practice in 1991.

Jones was elected to the Idaho Supreme Court unopposed in a 2002 nonpartisan election.