Criminal records in Des Moines County, Iowa, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. DesMoinesCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Des Moines County. Additional access points include the Iowa Judicial Branch online case search, the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office, and the Clerk of District Court at the Des Moines County Courthouse.
How to Search Criminal Records in Des Moines County
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Des Moines County. What you need to get started depends on the method, but generally you should have at least one of the following:
- The person's full legal name
- Date of birth
- Case number
Online Search Options
- DesMoinesCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information tied to Des Moines County criminal cases. You can search by name or case number.
- Iowa Judicial Branch Case Search — The Iowa Judicial Branch maintains an online case search portal for all Iowa district courts, including Des Moines County (part of Judicial District 8). Search by party name or case number to find case type, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information.
- Iowa Offender Search — The Iowa Department of Corrections offender search lets you look up individuals currently or formerly in state custody, on parole, or in community-based programs. Records are public under Iowa Code § 904.601(1).
- Iowa Criminal History Record Check — The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), part of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, processes statewide criminal history background checks. You can submit requests online through the DCI portal. You will need the subject's name and date of birth; social security number and middle name are optional but help resolve common names.
In Person
- Clerk of District Court — Visit the Des Moines County Courthouse to search court records at a public access terminal located in the courthouse. Staff can assist with locating case files.
- Sheriff's Office — The Des Moines County Sheriff's Office accepts in-person public records requests for records within their custody.
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the Clerk of District Court at the Des Moines County Courthouse. Include the subject's full name, date of birth if known, and the type of record you need. Include applicable fees by check or money order.
- For statewide criminal history checks, submit a request to the DCI by mail. Details and forms are available on the Iowa.gov background check page.
Search Des Moines County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Iowa uses a standardized case number format across all district courts. If you have a case number, you can look it up directly through the Iowa Judicial Branch online case search or at a courthouse public access terminal.
Iowa Case Number Format
A typical Iowa criminal case number looks like this: OWCR012345
- First two letters — County code. For Des Moines County, the code is typically embedded in the case identifier assigned by the court system.
- Next letters — Case type abbreviation. Common criminal prefixes include:
- OWCR — Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) criminal
- FECR — Felony criminal
- SMCR — Simple misdemeanor criminal
- SRCR — Serious misdemeanor criminal
- AGCR — Aggravated misdemeanor criminal
- SMSM — Scheduled/simple misdemeanor (often traffic-related)
- Numbers — Sequential filing number assigned by the clerk's office.
Knowing the case type prefix helps you identify the severity of the charge before pulling the full record. Enter the complete case number exactly as formatted to get a direct match.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Des Moines County
Criminal case records in Des Moines County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Iowa Code section the defendant is accused of violating (e.g., § 321J.2 for OWI). |
| Charge description | Plain-language description of the offense. |
| Severity | Felony (Class A–D), aggravated misdemeanor, serious misdemeanor, simple misdemeanor, or scheduled violation. |
| Amended charges | If the prosecution changes the original charge — often to a lesser offense as part of a plea agreement — the amended charge replaces or supplements the original. |
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | The case has been filed but not yet resolved. |
| Active | Proceedings are underway; hearings or trial are scheduled. |
| Disposed | The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal). |
| Closed | All obligations (fines, probation, sentencing terms) have been satisfied and the case is administratively closed. |
Hearing Types
- Initial appearance / Arraignment — The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea.
- Preliminary hearing — For felonies, the court determines whether probable cause exists to proceed.
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case status, possible plea agreements, and trial readiness.
- Trial — Bench trial or jury trial where evidence is presented.
- Sentencing — The court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with probation or other court orders.
Court Results (Dispositions)
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was found guilty or pleaded guilty. |
| Not guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial. |
| Dismissed | The court or prosecution dropped the charge. May be with or without prejudice. |
| Deferred judgment | The defendant pleads guilty, but the court defers entry of judgment. If probation is completed successfully, the case may be dismissed and the record may be eligible for expungement under Iowa law. |
| Acquitted | The defendant was found not guilty after trial. |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Des Moines County
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. The office that handles your request depends on the type of record you need.
Clerk of District Court (Court Case Records)
For certified copies of court case documents — including judgments, dispositions, and sentencing orders — contact the Clerk of District Court at the Des Moines County Courthouse.
To request certified court records:
- Visit the courthouse in person or send a written request by mail.
- Provide the case number, party name, and a description of the document you need.
- Present a valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests.
- Pay the applicable certification and copy fees (see fee section below).
Des Moines County Sheriff's Office (Law Enforcement Records)
For records maintained by the Sheriff's Office — such as arrest reports and incident reports — submit a public records request to the Sheriff's Office.
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (Statewide Criminal History)
For an official Iowa criminal history record check, submit your request to the DCI through the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Requests can be submitted online or by mail. You will need the subject's full name and date of birth. A signed release or authorization may be required for third-party requests.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Des Moines County
Fees for criminal records in Des Moines County vary by the type of record and the agency fulfilling the request. The following table summarizes common costs based on Iowa statutory fee schedules and agency-published rates.
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (non-certified) | $1.00 per page | Iowa Code § 602.8105 |
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00 per page plus $2.00 certification fee | Iowa Code § 602.8105 |
| DCI criminal history record check (name/DOB based) | $15.00 | Iowa DPS fee schedule |
| DCI fingerprint-based criminal history check | $15.00 (state) + $13.25 (FBI, if applicable) | Iowa DPS; FBI fee may vary |
| Sheriff's Office records request | Varies; copying fees may apply | Des Moines County Sheriff's Office |
Processing Times
- In-person court record requests — Often available the same day if the record is readily accessible. Complex or older files may take longer.
- Mail requests to the Clerk of Court — Typically processed within 5–10 business days, depending on volume.
- DCI online criminal history checks — Results are usually returned within a few business days. Fingerprint-based checks may take longer.
- Sheriff's Office records — Iowa's open records law (Iowa Code Chapter 22) requires a response within a reasonable time. The Sheriff's Office may provide an estimated timeline upon receiving your request.
Fees are generally payable by check, money order, or cash for in-person requests. Some agencies accept credit card payments for online submissions. Contact the relevant office directly to confirm accepted payment methods and current fee amounts, as rates may change.