---
title: "Matthew Rakes | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-rakes-id-trial"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Matthew Rakes

Idaho Magistrate Division, Judicial District 1 · Magistrate Judge

## Profile

- Court: Idaho Magistrate Division, Judicial District 1
- State: Idaho
- Role: Magistrate Judge
- Service status: active

## Summary

Matthew Rakes — Idaho Magistrate Division, Judicial District 1

## Biography

### Professional career

- Magistrate judge, First Judicial District, Kootenai County; investiture July 1, 2026; succeeds James Combo, who retired June 30, 2026
- Selected as a magistrate judge for Kootenai County, Idaho, and his investiture ceremony took place on July 1, 2026, with his official start date set for July 6, 2026
- Matthew A. Rakes is a longtime Coeur d’Alene resident and attorney now serving as a magistrate judge in Idaho’s First Judicial District, appointed in July 2026 to fill the vacancy left by Judge James Combo
- In addition to his magistrate role, a September 2026 court order appointed him pro tem district judge for the Kootenai County DUI Court, presiding over related cases during his tenure
- Appointed pro tem district judge for Kootenai County DUI Court by administrative order B26-KOO.4, Sept

### Education

- in Psychology — University of Idaho — B.S. (2006)
- Gonzaga University School of Law — J.D.

### Additional information

- 11, 2026, nunc pro tunc to July 6, 2026
- Matthew Rakes was selected for the First Judicial District vacancy left by James Combo; his investiture was scheduled for July 1, 2026.
- He opened a Spokane Valley practice in 2014 handling family law, landlord-tenant matters, and estate planning, then moved his practice to Idaho in 2016, with a focus on family law and mediation.
- Commission notice gives the name Matthew Aaron Rakes.
- Opened his own law office in Spokane Valley
- Rakes’ appointment was announced in multiple local and legal news outlets, highlighting his long-standing community ties and legal expertise.
- As a magistrate judge, Rakes presides over cases in the First Judicial District, including family law, civil matters, and other cases within his jurisdiction.
- He graduated from the University of Idaho in psychology and attended Gonzaga University School of Law.
- He succeeds the Honorable James Combo, who retired.
- His DUI Court appointment ensures he also handles certain traffic and administrative cases

## Sources

- [biography](https://www.kcgov.us/DocumentCenter/View/33503/B26-KOO4)
- [biography](https://bonnercountydailybee.com/news/2026/jun/23/new-magistrate-judges-named-bonner-county-daily-be/)
- [current_membership](https://isc.idaho.gov/about-the-courts/judicial-directory)
- [cdapress.com](https://cdapress.com/news/2026/jun/21/new-magistrate-judges-named/)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Idaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service, Rule 6](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-0c38e11cda2478da65cd7ff5) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://isc.idaho.gov/rules-procedure/irefs). Collected 2026-07-27.