The State Public Defender ensures that all indigent persons in Iowa are provided high quality legal representation in criminal, juvenile, and other eligible proceedings.

• Qualifications for Indigence under Iowa Code §815.9
• Indigent Defense Forms 
• Frequently Asked Questions about court appointed attorneys

Iowa is a part of the Eighth Circuit, which is a federal appellate court with appellate jurisdiction. It hears appeals from all of the circuit courts within its jurisdiction and its rulings may be appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States.

• United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit - Court Opinions
  • Opinions are posted between 10:00 am and 11:00 am. Central Time. Opinions can be searched by case number, party name, release date, and month/year.
• United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit - Forms 

The Unites States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has appellate jurisdiction over the following district courts: 

• Northern District of Iowa
  • ​​​United States District Court, Northern District of Iowa
    • Offices in Cedar Rapids and Sioux City.
  • United States District Court, Northern District of Iowa - Forms 
    • Provides various standing orders, civil, and criminal forms.
  • ​​​United States District Court, Northern District of Iowa - Court Opinions (2004 - present)
    • Select opinions only.
  • United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Iowa
  • United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Iowa - Forms
  • United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Iowa - Court Opinions (2004 - present)
    • Coverage varies by judge.
• Southern District of Iowa
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Iowa
    • Offices in Des Moines, Davenport, and Council Bluffs.
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Iowa - Forms
    • Provides various civil, criminal, prisoner, and pro se forms.
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Iowa - Court Opinions
  • United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Iowa
  • United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Iowa - Forms
  • United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Iowa - Court Opinions
    • Coverage varies by judge.

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