{"id":373315,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/iowa-law\/des-moines-courthouses.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:48:28","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:48:28","slug":"des-moines-courthouses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/iowa-law\/des-moines-courthouses.html","title":{"rendered":"Des Moines Courthouses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Des Moines Courthouses<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Looking for a courthouse in Des Moines? Des Moines is the judicial center of Iowa, hosting the Iowa Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and the main trial courts for District 5 of the Iowa District Court system. For most court business, start with the Polk County Courthouse, which is known for being incredibly busy and overcrowded. The historic courthouse, originally built in 1906 with four courtrooms, now houses 28 courtrooms. <\/p>\n

Check out the list of court locations below for information about all of the courthouses in Des Moines, including links to court websites, contact information and notes on the types of matters heard at each location. Also, if you\u2019re looking for tips on self-representation in Iowa, the \u201cRepresenting Yourself<\/a>\u201d page on the Iowa Judicial Branch website is a great place to start.<\/p>\n

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Trial Courts in Des Moines<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n Polk County Courthouse\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    500 Mulberry Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n Des Moines,<\/span>\n IA<\/span>\n 50309 <\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (515) 286-3198\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    The Iowa District Court<\/a> has jurisdiction over all civil, criminal, juvenile and probate matters. The main District Court for District 5 is located at the Polk County Courthouse. The Clerk\u2019s Office is located in Room 512. Both the Juvenile Court and the Small Claims Court are housed in other locations in the city. The Iowa Judicial Branch page on jury service in Polk County District Court<\/a> has directions, parking, hours and more helpful information about the courthouse.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n Juvenile Court \n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    Polk County River Place <\/p>\n \n

    2309 Euclid Avenue <\/p>\n

    \n Des Moines,<\/span>\n IA<\/span>\n 50310 <\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (515) 286-3960\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    The Juvenile Court hears four types of matters involving juveniles: cases involving abuse or neglect of a child, delinquency cases, adoption and commitment proceedings to place a child in a treatment facility.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n Small Claims and the Suburban Traffic Court\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    500 South West 7th Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n Des Moines,<\/span>\n IA<\/span>\n 50309<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (515) 875-5534\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    This location hears small claims disputes in which the amount claimed is under $5,000. The Suburban Traffic Court is also located here.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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    Appellate Courts in Des Moines<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n Iowa Judicial Branch Building\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    111 East Court Avenue<\/p>\n \n

    \n Des Moines,<\/span>\n IA<\/span>\n 50319<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (515) 218-5221\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    The Iowa Supreme Court<\/a> and the Iowa Court of Appeals<\/a> are both located in this building. These courts generally hear appeals from the Iowa District Court.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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    Federal Courts in Des Moines<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n U.S. District Court- Southern District of Iowa\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    123 East Walnut Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n Des Moines,<\/span>\n IA<\/span>\n 50309<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (515) 284-6248\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa hears cases involving federal law or parties form multiple states.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n U.S. Bankruptcy Court- Southern District of Iowa\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    110 East Court Avenue<\/p>\n \n

    Suite 300<\/p>\n

    \n Des Moines,<\/span>\n IA<\/span>\n 50309<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (515) 284-6230\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    The court handles bankruptcy matters for Des Moines and Polk County. You can file your bankruptcy forms and attend bankruptcy hearings at this location. For hours and directions visit the Court Information<\/a> page.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services – Des Moines Field Office\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    Neal Smith Federal Building<\/p>\n \n

    210 Walnut Street, Room 215<\/p>\n

    \n Des Moines,<\/span>\n IA<\/span>\n 50309<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: 515-284-5188\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    You can file your immigration application or petition with this USCIS<\/a> office in Des Moines. For the nearest immigration court that hears cases involving violations of immigration law by foreign-born individuals, check the Executive Office of Immigration Review<\/a> website. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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