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Iowa

Overview

  • The Iowa Judiciay is primarily a state-funded system.  The counties pay for facilities and some services such as security and the cost of some interpreters.
  • Iowa’s FY11 total budget of $156.1 million remained at the same amount in FY12.  Iowa will be able to maintain the same number of judges and staff and to increase operating expenditures.
  • To reduce spending, the Iowa courts have reduced hours or operation.  They have instituted court closure days with furloughs of both judges and staff.  Salaries of judges and staff have been frozen.  The Iowa courts have had to lay off staff and have delayed filling judicial vacancies and have also delayed filling vacancies in the clerks’ offices and in judicial support positions.   They have reduced the mileage reimbursement rate, imposed travel restrictions and reduced some non-personnel expenses. 
  • These steps have resulted in decreased hour of operation to the public, decreased availability of judges to litigants and lawyers.  They have also resulted in reduced supervision of juvenile delinquents and a reduction in the amount of trial trim available.
  • The Iowa courts have implemented e-filing, e-citation, and electronic document management system and e-payment of fees and fines, thereby enhancing the efficiency of staff.
  • To increase efficiency, the courts have centralized some processes and have reallocated staff.

Reports and Articles

Gavel to Gavel

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