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.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 602.6405

  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • clerk: means clerk of the court in which the action or proceeding is brought or is pending; and the words "clerk's office" mean the office of that clerk. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • final disposition: means one year after dismissal of the case, after judgment or decree without appeal, or after procedendo or dismissal of appeal is filed in cases where appeal is taken. See Iowa Code 602.8103
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Livestock: includes but is not limited to an animal classified as an ostrich, rhea, or emu. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Magistrate: means a person appointed under article 6, part 4 to exercise judicial functions. See Iowa Code 602.1101
  • Records: includes probate and other official public records, as well as records in the office of the county recorder. See Iowa Code 614.29
  • Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
  • State: includes any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any territory or possession subject to the legislative authority of the United States. See Iowa Code 633D.2
  • State court administrator: means the person appointed by the supreme court pursuant to section 602. See Iowa Code 602.1101
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • year: means twelve consecutive months. See Iowa Code 4.1
 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 Iowa department of public health.
 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.
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