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Judicial selection in Iowa
Iowa Supreme Court
Method:	Comm. select., Gov. appt.
Term:	8 years
Iowa Court of Appeals
Method:	Comm. select., Gov. appt.
Term:	6 years
Iowa District Courts
Method:	Comm. select., Gov. appt.
Term:	6 years

Judges in Iowa are chosen via Commission-selection, political appointment method of judicial selection. This method is also referred to as the Missouri Plan. ^[1]

Appointment

Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and District Courts

The Iowa Judicial Nominating and Qualifications Commission accepts applications and interviews potential applicants for vacancies on the Iowa Supreme Court and Iowa Court of Appeals. There are thirteen nominating commissions screening of applicants for vacancies on the Iowa District Courts.

Within sixty days of receiving notice of the vacancy from the Secretary of State, a commission must forward three nominees to the Iowa Governor, who will appoint one to the court. ^[1]

Limited jurisdiction courts

For district associate judges, associate juvenile judges, and associate probate judges, a magistrate appointing commission submits nominees. They are then appointed by the judges of that district. ^[1]

Retention elections

After one year in office, and then at regular intervals, judges must stand for retention. If retained, they then serve a full term. ^[2]

Iowa is one of twenty-one states in which the Chief Justice is elected by other justices.

State Elected by other justice Term Alaska Yes Three years Arizona Yes Five years Colorado Yes Indefinite Florida Yes Two years Georgia Yes Four years Idaho Yes Four years Illinois Yes Three years Iowa Yes Eight years Kentucky Yes Four years Michigan Yes Two years Missouri Yes Two years New Mexico Yes Two years Oklahoma Yes Two years Oregon Yes Six years South Dakota Yes Four years Tennesee Yes Four years Utah Yes Four years Virginia Yes Four years Washington Yes Four years West Virginia Yes One year Wyoming Yes Four years

Terms

• Supreme Court - Eight year term
• Court of Appeals - Six year term
• District Courts - Six year term ^[2]

2010 judicial elections

For the first time since the Missouri Plan was adopted in 1962, three justices were not retained in the 2010 judicial elections. For more information, read this report.

Qualifications for judgeships

• Supreme Court and Court of Appeals

Licensed to practice law in the state

Member of the Iowa Bar

Resident of the state

Less than 72 years of age

• District Court

Licensed to practice law in the state

Member of the Iowa Bar

Resident of the district

Less than 72 years of age ^[2]

See also

• Courts in Iowa
• Iowa judicial elections

External links

• Iowa Judicial Branch
• Transparency is key in selection of judges
• Des Moines Register, "Remaining four justices could face ouster efforts," November 6, 2010

References

v • d • e Judicial selection in state courts Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • District of Columbia • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming 2011 election • 2010 Supreme Court results • 2010 Court of Appeals results • 2010 elections • 2009 results • 2009 elections • 2008 elections • 2008 results Commission selection (Missouri Plan) • Gubernatorial appointment • Legislative appointment • Partisan elections • Non-partisan elections • Retention election • Tennessee Plan