Stephen Paul Carpenter

Steve Carpenter

Since a very young age, my life has been influenced by our legal system. I watched my family’s anguish as the court system failed to bring justice in a close-to-home wrongful death. After the trial, I—an impassioned seven year old—was active in exercising my rights under the Victim’s Assistance program. In the state of New York, crime survivors are allowed to write to the parole board when the convict comes up for parole. Every letter I wrote requesting parole be denied proved worthy of being read in court.  As I got older, I found more ways to make myself heard. In the sixth grade, I wrote a letter to then President Clinton asserting that the country was in need of judicial reform, namely in the area of criminal law. I received a response from the President and was interviewed on the local news about what I had said to him. This and other life experiences have lead me to the field of law. I am passionate about helping others navigate the mysteries of our judicial system so that they may be freed up to pursue their passions.

While studying Literature at Montana State University in Bozeman, I was fortunate enough to be able to pursue a great education and enjoy the many amenities of living in the mountains of Montana. After acquiring my undergraduate degree and a few years of work experience, I enrolled in law school at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho.

During my time in Moscow I volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and a Guardian ad Litem (GAL). CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives.

During the later years of my law school career I took a special interest in Elder Law and participated in the Bankruptcy clinic offered by the school. Since being admitted to the Idaho Bar, I have become a volunteer attorney for the CASA program and continue to volunteer as a Guardian ad Litem.

As someone who has seen loved ones face great financial hardship and witnessed the young and elderly being taken advantage of, I have chosen to dedicate my career to providing legal services in these fields of law. My experience as a corrections officer in a juvenile detention facility have given me a greater understanding of the myriad problems facing the youth in our community.  This is an understanding deeper than any formal education could provide. I have been a part of my own family’s struggles with the aftermath of poor estate planning, institutional care of aging relatives, misappropriation of assets by unscrupulous family members as well as the rigors and tragedy of criminal, divorce, and custody cases.

My promise to my clients is to represent you with vigor, integrity, and honesty.