Iowa Code » Chapter 602 — JUDICIAL BRANCH
Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 602.6405 (2026)

Jurisdiction — procedure

✓ current as of July 2026
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1. Magistrates have jurisdiction of simple misdemeanors regardless of the amount of the fine, including traffic and ordinance violations, and preliminary hearings, search warrant proceedings, county and municipal infractions, and small claims. Magistrates have jurisdiction to determine the disposition of livestock or another animal, as provided in sections 717.5 and 717B.4, if the magistrate determines the value of the livestock or animal is less than ten thousand dollars. Magistrates have jurisdiction to exercise the powers specified in sections 556F.2 and 556F.12, and to hear complaints or preliminary informations, issue warrants, order arrests, make commitments, and take bail. Magistrates have jurisdiction over violations of section 123.49, subsection 2, paragraph “h”. Magistrates who are admitted to the practice of law in this state have jurisdiction over all proceedings for the involuntary commitment, treatment, or hospitalization of individuals under chapters 125 and 229, except as otherwise provided under section 229.6A; nonlawyer magistrates have jurisdiction over emergency detention and hospitalization proceedings under sections 125.91 and 229.22. Magistrates have jurisdiction to conduct hearings authorized under section 809.4.

2. a. Magistrates shall hear and determine violations of and penalties for violations of section 453A.2, subsection 2.

b. Magistrates shall forward copies of citations issued for violations of section 453A.2, subsection 2, and of their dispositions to the clerk of the district court. The clerk of the district court shall maintain records of citations issued and the dispositions of citations, and shall forward a copy of the records to the department of health and human services.

3. The criminal procedure before magistrates is as provided in chapters 804, 806, 808, 811, 820 and 821 and rules of criminal procedure 2.1, 2.2, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, and 2.51 to 2.75. The civil procedure before magistrates shall be as provided in chapters 631 and 648.

4. Trials and contested hearings within a magistrate’s jurisdiction shall be electronically recorded, unless a party provides a certified court reporter at the party’s expense. The electronic recordings shall be securely maintained consistent with the practices and procedures prescribed by the state court administrator and shall be retained for one year after entry of a final judgment in the trial court or until thirty days after final disposition, whichever is later. Transcripts from electronic recordings required for appeals shall be produced and paid for in a manner consistent with practices and procedures prescribed by the state court administrator. 83 Acts, ch 186, §7405, 10201; 84 Acts, ch 1275, §7; 87 Acts, ch 99, §7; 88 Acts, ch 1092, §1; 90 Acts, ch 1251, §54; 91 Acts, ch 108, §8; 92 Acts, ch 1231, §53; 94 Acts, ch 1103, §5; 96 Acts, ch 1133, §46; 2000 Acts, ch 1105, §8; 2010 Acts, ch 1140, §23; 2016 Acts, ch 1022, §2; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §1266 Referred to in §602.1209, 602.6306\n\nTue Dec 09 22:00:11 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 602 (74, 2) §602.6501, JUDICIAL BRANCH 44\n\n PART 5 MAGISTRATE APPOINTING COMMISSIONS \n

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 14 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1987–2025 · leading case: State of Iowa v. Christopher George Storm, 898 N.W.2d 140 (Iowa 2017).
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State of Iowa v. Christopher George Storm, 898 N.W.2d 140 (Iowa 2017). · cites it 2× “§ 602.6405. I conclude the phrase “submitting before a magistrate” is ambiguous because it is capable of more than one interpretation.”
State v. Iowa Dist. Court, 410 N.W.2d 684 (Iowa 1987). · cites it 6× “Compare Iowa Code § 602.6405 (1) (Supp. 1983) with Iowa Code § 602.”
City of Iowa City v. Iowa Dist. Court for Johnson Cnty., 456 N.W.2d 178 (Iowa 1990). · cites it 6× “See also Iowa Code § 602.6405 (judicial magistrate has no jurisdiction over aggravated misdemeanors).”
S.S. v. Iowa Dist. Court for Black Hawk Cnty., 528 N.W.2d 130 (Iowa 1995). · cites it 4× “The subject matter jurisdiction for magistrates is found in Iowa Code section 602.6405. The juvenile court has the jurisdiction provided for in Iowa Code chapter 232 (Juvenile Justice).”
Jones v. Iowa Dist. Court for Wapello Cnty., 620 N.W.2d 242 (Iowa 2000). · cites it 2× “This interpretation of rule 33 is consistent with the legislative intent with respect to the trial of simple-misdemeanor cases, as evidenced by this language of Iowa Code section 602.6405(2): The criminal procedure before magistrates is as provided in chapters 804 [regarding…”
Howell v. Hofbauer, 123 F. Supp. 2d 1178 (N.D. Iowa 2000). · cites it 4× “He contends further that magistrates in Iowa district courts have jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal offenses and contempt actions pursuant to Iowa Code §§ 602.6405 and 665.2, respectively.”
In re R.A.R., 464 N.W.2d 883 (Iowa 1991). · cites it 2× “Section 602.6405 provides: 1. Magistrates have jurisdiction of simple misdemeanors, including traffic and ordinance violations, and preliminary hearings, search warrant proceedings, county and municipal infractions, and small claims.”
In the Matter of J.S. (Iowa Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 4× “See Iowa Code § 602.6405 . Because the magistrate lacked jurisdiction, the magistrate’s order is void.”
Matter of Rar, 464 N.W.2d 883 (Iowa 1991). · cites it 2× “Section 602.6405 provides: 1. Magistrates have jurisdiction of simple misdemeanors, including traffic and ordinance violations, and preliminary hearings, search warrant proceedings, county and municipal infractions, and small claims.”
State of Iowa v. Corey Ray Pettit (Iowa Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “Significantly, section 602.6405 does not mention chapter 664A.”
David James Hanson, Magistrate. (Iowa 2025). · cites it 2× “” Iowa Code § 602.6405 (1) (2024). The fact that magistrates serve as part-time judicial officers does not excuse them from complying with the Iowa Code of Judicial Conduct, with some limited exceptions not applicable here.”
David James Hanson, Magistrate. (Iowa 2025). · cites it 2× “” Iowa Code § 602.6405 (1) (2024). The fact that magistrates serve as part-time judicial officers does not excuse them from complying with the Iowa Code of Judicial Conduct, with some limited exceptions not applicable here.”
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— Iowa Code § 602.6405(2) — 2 cases
Jones v. Iowa Dist. Court for Wapello Cnty., 620 N.W.2d 242 (Iowa 2000). “This interpretation of rule 33 is consistent with the legislative intent with respect to the trial of simple-misdemeanor cases, as evidenced by this language of Iowa Code section 602.6405(2): The criminal procedure before magistrates is as provided in chapters 804 [regarding…”
State v. Heinze, 465 N.W.2d 863 (Iowa 1991).
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