Judiciary of Iowa

The judiciary of Iowa is a branch of the Government of Iowa that interprets and applies the laws of Iowa, to ensure equal justice under law, and to provide a mechanism for dispute resolution. Article V of the Constitution of the State of Iowa defines the judiciary as comprising a Supreme Court, district courts, and any inferior courts established by the General Assembly.[1]

Iowa Supreme Court

Iowa Supreme Court
Established 1841
Authorized by Iowa Constitution
Decisions are appealed to United States Supreme Court
Website http://www.iowacourts.gov/

The Iowa Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Iowa. As constitutional head of the Iowa Judicial Branch, the Court is composed of a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices.

The Court holds its regular sessions in Des Moines in the Iowa Judicial Branch Building located at 1111 East Court Avenue on the state Capitol grounds just south of the Iowa State Capitol.

Duties

The seven-member Iowa Supreme Court has many important responsibilities.[2]

Nomination of Justices

Justices are appointed by the governor from a list of nominees submitted by the State Judicial Nominating Commission. A justice serves an initial term of office that is one year after appointment and until January 1 following the next judicial retention election after expiration of such year.[3] The regular term of office of justices retained at election is eight years. A justice must retire upon reaching the age of 72. The justices elect the chief justice.

State Courts inferior to the Supreme Court

Iowa District Courts

Iowa District Courts are the state trial courts of general jurisdiction in the U.S. state of Iowa.

They have original jurisdiction in civil cases with any amount in controversy; felony criminal cases, domestic relations, family law, and cases involving minors (including adoption, dependency, juvenile delinquency, and probate cases.)

District judges have the authority to hear any case within the district. Felony criminal 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.

State Judges Inferior to the District Courts

Lower courts are also established as subsidiary to the District Courts.

Associate juvenile judges only have jurisdiction over juvenile court matters.

Associate probate judges have limited jurisdiction to probate cases.

Judicial magistrates primarily serve their home county and have jurisdiction over simple misdemeanors, local infractions, and small claims.

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.[4]

District Court Jurisdictions

A map of Iowa with the eight judicial districts superimposed upon the state.
No county lines are crossed by the state judicial districts, accounting for irregular shapes and sizes

There are 8 judicial districts, each encompassing five or more of Iowa's 99 counties.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Constitution of the State of Iowa". Iowa Library Services. Retrieved 23 December 2013. |section= ignored (help)
  2. ↑ National Center for State Courts. Iowa Judicial Branch.
  3. ↑ Schulte, Grant (January 14, 2011). "High court's four justices get back to hearing cases". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
  4. ↑ Description of the Iowa Court System
  5. ↑ Iowa Judicial Branch

External links

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