CANDIDATE PROFILE – Benjamin Allen, Shoshone County Prosecuting Attorney (R)

- Full name and age

Benjamin Allen, 33

- Level of education

High School Graduate, Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Boise State University before obtaining his law degree from Gonzaga University. 

- Background and/or relevant experience

Worked for the United States Attorney’s Office, the Lemhi County Prosecutor’s Office and clerking for 7th District Judge Stephen Clark.

Shoshone County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for 10 years, starting first by completing internship projects to assist the County, coming on full-time as a deputy after graduating from law school, and eventually being promoted to chief deputy prior to receiving the appointment for the vacancy created by the departure of now magistrate judge Keisha Oxendine.

- Family

Wife, Brooke; Two children 

- Main priority if you are elected?

While some counties in Idaho separate out criminal and civil legal responsibilities, under the current structure within Shoshone County, our Prosecuting Attorney’s Office provides both services in an attempt to keep total costs down for our taxpayers. That is, our attorneys serve as both the criminal prosecutor and perform civil legal functions for the county, which includes drafting ordinances, developing policy, representing the various county departments, and defending the county and its decision-making in civil lawsuits. With this growth comes a need to ensure sufficient staffing exists within the office to reduce burnout, retain employees, and provide competent services for our taxpayers. As such, our office will continue prioritizing what is necessary to fill our current vacancies within the office. 

- Notable/relevant achievements you have earned or received

Former President of both the local chapter of the Kiwanis organization and the Rotary club. President of the Idaho Officials Association. 

Named as one of the top attorneys in Idaho Business Review (2021)

Coeur d’Alene’s Press’ 40 under 40.

- Key issues associated with the position

The caseload within the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office continues to see unprecedented increases. For the first time since our office has begun tracking total case filings, Shoshone County’s criminal case filings eclipsed the two-thousand case mark, a byproduct of a three-year escalating case increase of over 20%.