Judicial
magistrates primarily serve their home
county and have
jurisdiction over simple
misdemeanors, local infractions, and small claims. They have authority to order
warrants, conduct preliminary hearings, and hear other simple issues. Most magistrates are
attorneys, though it is not mandated by law. They serve four-year
terms and are appointed by county commissions.
Associate juvenile judges only have
jurisdiction over juvenile court matters. They are able to issue orders, make findings, and official decisions in juvenile cases,
juvenile delinquency cases,
adoption, and
parental rights issues. They serve six-year
terms, and are appointed by district
judges for the judicial district after being selected by a county commission.
Associate
probate judges have
limited jurisdiction to
probate cases. They are able to
audit accounts, and perform other duties as ordered by the chief
judge over the course of their six-year
terms. They are appointed by the district court judge after having been selected by a county commission.
District associate
judges have the same
jurisdiction as judicial
magistrates, with additional authority to hear more serious
misdemeanors, civil suits up to $10,000, and certain
juvenile cases. District associate judges are appointed by the district judge after having been selected by a county commission for a six-year
term.
District judges have the authority to hear any case within the district.
Felonycriminal cases,
adoptions, state administration issues, and many other matters come before these judges. These judges are appointed by the
governor, from a list of nominees from a state nominating commission. The
term for a district judge is six years.
Each county has a clerk of the district court who manages and maintains all trial records in the county.
Court attendants facilitate court proceedings, and aid with clerical work.
Court reporters transcribe all official statements in the courtroom, making the court record.
Juvenile court officers work with youth who are accused of delinquent acts, to oversee the treatment and restitution of the young person in question.[1]
Regions of Jurisdiction
There are 8 judicial districts, each encompassing five or more of
Iowa's 99 counties.