Court records in Des Moines County, Iowa, are maintained by the clerk of the district court and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. DesMoinesCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Des Moines County. You can also search records through the Iowa Judicial Branch website, visit the clerk's office at the Des Moines County Courthouse, or contact other government agencies for related records such as criminal histories and vital records.
Des Moines County Court System Overview
Des Moines County is part of Judicial District 8 in the Iowa court system. The Chief Judge for the district is Shawn Showers. Judicial District 8 includes Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Lee, Louisa, and Van Buren counties. The district court in Des Moines County has general jurisdiction, meaning it handles all types of cases — criminal, civil, family, probate, and juvenile. A magistrate division within the district court handles lower-level matters. Court proceedings take place at the Des Moines County Courthouse in Burlington.
Courts Serving Des Moines County
Several courts serve Des Moines County residents at the state and federal levels:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa District Court – Judicial District 8 (Des Moines County) | 513 N. Main Street, Burlington, IA 52601 | (319) 753-8272 |
| Iowa District Court – Magistrate Division (Des Moines County) | 513 N. Main Street, Burlington, IA 52601 | (319) 753-8272 |
| U.S. District Court – Southern District of Iowa | 123 E. Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 | (515) 284-6248 |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Southern District of Iowa | 110 E. Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309 | (515) 284-6230 |
Des Moines County falls within the Southern District of Iowa for federal cases. There is no separate municipal court in Burlington; traffic and ordinance violations are handled through the state magistrate division.
What Types of Cases Des Moines County Courts Hear
Courts in Des Moines County handle a wide range of case types across the district and magistrate divisions:
- Felonies, misdemeanors, and simple misdemeanors
- Infractions and traffic violations (including OWI/DUI)
- Civil litigation and small claims
- Family law — divorce, custody, child support, paternity, protective orders
- Probate — estates, guardianships, conservatorships
- Juvenile — delinquency and child protective proceedings
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
District Court Cases in Des Moines County
The district court in Des Moines County hears felony criminal cases, typically after a preliminary hearing or grand jury indictment. Civil cases exceeding the magistrate jurisdictional limit of $6,500 are also filed here, along with equity matters, appeals from the magistrate division, and post-conviction relief proceedings. District associate judges and district judges preside over these cases. Cases are assigned to judges through the trial court administrator's office. If you need information about a specific case, the Iowa Judicial Branch page for Des Moines County provides court contact details and general information.
Magistrate Court Cases in Des Moines County
The magistrate division handles cases at the lower end of the jurisdictional spectrum:
- Simple misdemeanors — including many traffic offenses
- Scheduled violations and infractions
- Felony preliminary hearings — initial appearances and probable cause determinations
- Civil cases up to $6,500
- Small claims up to $6,500
- OWI/DUI arraignments and related hearings
- Search warrant applications
Under Iowa law, small claims cases are limited to $6,500. These cases follow simplified procedures and do not typically involve attorneys. You can pay a traffic ticket online through the Iowa Judicial Branch if you prefer not to appear in court for a scheduled violation.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Des Moines County
Family Law: Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, civil protective orders, and termination of parental rights are handled by district court judges and district associate judges. Iowa requires a 90-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized. The Iowa Judicial Branch divorce resources page provides forms and guidance for self-represented parties.
Probate: Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters are filed in the district court. These cases are assigned to district judges or district associate judges. The clerk of court maintains probate records at the Des Moines County Courthouse.
Juvenile: Juvenile delinquency proceedings and child-in-need-of-assistance (CINA) cases are heard in the juvenile division of the district court. Juvenile records are confidential under Iowa law and are not available through public case search tools. Juvenile court services for Judicial District 8 coordinate supervision and related services.
How Cases Move Through the Des Moines County Court System
- Filing / Initiation: Criminal cases begin with a complaint or information filed by the county attorney. Civil cases start with a petition filed by the plaintiff. Family law matters begin with a petition (e.g., petition for dissolution of marriage).
- Assignment to Judge: The trial court administrator assigns cases to available judges within Judicial District 8.
- Initial Hearings: In criminal cases, the defendant appears for arraignment. In civil cases, a scheduling conference sets deadlines for discovery and motions.
- Pre-Trial Phase: Parties exchange evidence through discovery, file motions, and may negotiate plea agreements (criminal) or settlements (civil).
- Trial or Resolution: Cases proceed to a bench or jury trial, or resolve through plea, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment: Criminal cases move to sentencing. Civil judgments may be appealed to the Iowa Court of Appeals. Enforcement actions (garnishment, contempt) may follow.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Des Moines County
Courts in Des Moines County are administered by the Chief Judge of Judicial District 8 and a trial court administrator. Local rules for the judicial district govern scheduling, motion practice, and other procedural matters. You can find statewide court rules, including the Iowa Rules of Electronic Procedure, through the Iowa Legislature's website.
Public access to records: Most court records in Iowa are public under Iowa Code Chapter 22 and Iowa Court Rules. However, certain records are restricted, including juvenile cases, sealed records, adoption files, and records involving mental health commitments. Public access terminals are available at the Des Moines County Courthouse for viewing electronic court records.
Attending hearings: Court hearings are generally open to the public. Some proceedings may be conducted by telephone or video, particularly initial appearances and scheduling conferences. Contact the clerk's office at (319) 753-8272 to ask about remote hearing availability for a specific case.
All filers — including attorneys, self-represented parties, and government agencies — are required to file documents electronically through the Iowa Electronic Document Management System (EDMS). You can access court forms on the Iowa Judicial Branch website.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Des Moines County
- Iowa Court Case Search: Search court dockets and case information through the Iowa Judicial Branch online case search portal (Iowa Courts Online). Most non-confidential case records are available.
- Court Forms and Self-Help: The Iowa Judicial Branch court forms page provides downloadable forms for civil, criminal, family, and probate cases.
- Clerk of Court / Public Records: Contact the Des Moines County Clerk of Court at (319) 753-8272 for certified copies or records requests. You can also request sheriff's office records through the Des Moines County Sheriff's records request page.
- Criminal History Background Checks: The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) processes criminal history record checks through the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
- Iowa Offender Search: Search for current and past offenders in the Iowa corrections system using the Iowa Department of Corrections offender search tool. You can also find an inmate through Iowa.gov.
- Des Moines County Jail Information: The Des Moines County Sheriff's jail page provides information about current inmates, visitation, and fingerprinting services.
- Iowa Sex Offender Registry: Search the Iowa Sex Offender Registry through the Iowa Department of Public Safety website.
- Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage records can be requested through the Des Moines County Recorder's Office or the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
- Online Payments: Pay certain county fees online through the Des Moines County online payment portal.