Iowa official register

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J

UDICIAL

 

B

RANCH

 

 

Chapter 3 

 

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THE JUDICIAL BRANCH 

www.iowacourts.gov 

 

The Judicial Branch of the State of Iowa is composed of the Supreme Court, the Court of Ap-

peals, and the Iowa District Court.  

Supreme Court 

The Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in the state with jurisdiction to review the 

decisions of all inferior courts. In Iowa, all appeals are filed with the Supreme Court.  The Su-

preme Court retains certain cases to decide itself, and transfers other cases to the Court of Appeals 

for a decision.  A litigant who is dissatisfied with a Court of Appeals decision may seek further 

review by the Supreme Court.   The Supreme Court is also responsible for licensing and disciplin-

ing attorneys, promulgating rules of procedure and practice used throughout the state courts, and 

overseeing the operation of the entire state court system. 

Court of Appeals 

The Court of Appeals is the state’s intermediate appellate court with jurisdiction to hear ap-

pealed cases assigned to the Court of Appeals by the Supreme Court. 

Iowa District Court 

The Iowa District Court was established as a unified trial court, effective July 1, 1973, by the 

Unified Trial Court Act of 1972, which also abolished all trial courts below the district court such 

as justice of the peace courts.  The district court has general jurisdiction of all civil, criminal, and 

juvenile cases and probate matters in the state.  The district court sits in all county seats.   

Judicial Districts 

For judicial administration purposes, the 99 counties are organized into eight judicial districts.  

Each judicial district is composed of five to 22 counties with eight to 28 district judges of general 

jurisdiction assigned to each judicial district.  For purposes of nomination and appointment of 

district judges and district associate judges, five of the eight districts are divided into subdistricts 

for a total of 14 judicial election districts as shown on the map below. 

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Judicial Officers 

In 1962, Iowa voters approved a constitutional reform that replaced the process of selecting 

judges by popular vote with a merit selection and retention election process.  This reform pro-

motes selection of the best qualified applicants and ensures that Iowa has fair and impartial judges 

who are accountable to the public. At the same time, it eliminates the need for judges to raise 

money from political parties, special interest groups, and others for an election campaign, an ac-

tivity that may compromise impartial decision making.    

The merit selection system involves a nonpartisan commission that reviews the qualifications 

of applicants for judicial office.  Applicants provide the commission with extensive information 

about their education, professional career, and qualifications.  In addition, the commission con-

ducts interviews of all candidates.  Once the commission screens and interviews applicants, it 

forwards a slate of nominees to the Governor, who makes the final appointment. 

Within the district court are six types of judicial officers:  district judges, district associate 

judges, associate juvenile judges, associate probate judges, senior judges, and magistrates. 

The district court is operated under the direction of the following authorized number of judicial 

officers:  the eight chief judges of the judicial districts, 116 district judges, 61 district associate 

judges, 12 associate juvenile judges, one associate probate judge, and 152 part-time judicial mag-

istrates.  Retired judges called senior judges may also serve temporarily in the district court. 

Associate Juvenile Judges 

Associate juvenile judges preside over juvenile cases and adoptions only. They have authority 

to issue orders, findings, and decisions in juvenile cases, including cases that involve juvenile 

delinquency, children in need of assistance, and termination of parental rights.  Associate juvenile 

judges serve six-year terms.  They are appointed by the district judges of the judicial district from 

a slate of nominees screened and selected by the county magistrate appointing commissions. 

District Associate Judges 

District associate judges have the jurisdiction of judicial magistrates plus authority to hear seri-

ous and aggravated misdemeanor cases, civil suits in which the amount in controversy is $10,000 

or less, and juvenile cases when the judge is sitting as a juvenile judge.  District associate judges 

are appointed by the district judges of the judicial district from a slate of nominees screened and 

selected by the county magistrate appointing commissions.  Their term is six years. 

District Judges 

District judges have the authority to hear any type of case within the district court. District 

judges typically hear a variety of cases including probate, felony criminal cases, dissolution of 

marriage, adoptions, disputes involving actions of state administrative agencies, juvenile cases, 

and other matters.  Many district judges travel extensively to make sure all of Iowa’s counties 

have a regular schedule of judicial service.  District judges are appointed by the Governor from a 

slate of nominees chosen by the judicial election district nominating commission.  Their term of 

office is six years. 

Chief Judges of the Judicial Districts  

In each judicial district, a chief judge is appointed by the Supreme Court to a two-year term to 

supervise the work of all trial judges and magistrates in the judicial district. 

Judicial Magistrates 

Judicial magistrates serve primarily within the county of residence. They may hear cases in 

other counties if assigned by the chief judge of the magistrate’s district.  Magistrates serve four-

year terms and are appointed by county magistrate appointing commissions.  Although magis-

trates are not required by law to be attorneys, most magistrates are attorneys.  Magistrates have 

jurisdiction over simple misdemeanors, including scheduled violations, county and municipal 

infractions, and small claims. Magistrates have authority to issue search warrants, conduct pre-

liminary hearings, and hear certain involuntary hospitalization matters.  

 

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