Former Idaho attorney general to give presentation critical race theory in Twin Falls

By: Audrey Dutton - October 3, 2022 4:05 am

The legal career of Jim Jones spans more than 54 years, including serving as chief justice of the Idaho Supreme Court, a position to which he was elected in 2015. He maintained a private law practice, starting in 1973, until his election as Idaho attorney general in 1982.

Jim Jones, a former Idaho attorney general and former Idaho Supreme Court chief justice, will give a presentation Wednesday in Twin Falls on “Defining and Understanding Critical Race Theory.”

The event runs from 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the First Presbyterian Church, 209 Fifth Ave. N. in Twin Falls. It is hosted by the Magic Valley Knowledge Seekers. It is open to the public. Admission is free.

The Magic Valley Knowledge Seekers described itself in an announcement about the event as “group of concerned citizens” who formed an ad-hoc organization to sponsor Jones’ presentation.

“The group’s intent is to deepen the public’s knowledge by providing a credible, balanced and objective overview of Critical Race Theory in order to allow individuals to form their own opinions regarding the topic,” it said.

Jones is a Vietnam combat veteran and a longtime attorney. Jones served as Idaho’s attorney general from 1983 to 1991 and as a justice of the Idaho Supreme Court from 2005 to 2017, ending his tenure in the role of chief justice.

Jones, who hails from Eden, received a law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago and a political science degree from the University of Oregon.

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Audrey Dutton

Audrey Dutton was a senior investigative reporter with the Idaho Capital Sun after 10 years at the Idaho Statesman. Her favorite topics to cover included health care, business, consumer protection issues and white collar crime. Before coming home to Idaho, Dutton worked as a journalist in Minnesota, New York, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Dutton's work has earned dozens of state, regional and national awards for investigative reporting, health care and business reporting, data visualization and more.