Buena Vista County Jail Criminal Court Process
Criminal Court Process for Buena Vista County Iowa
Buena Vista County District Court, Storm Lake, Iowa
Storm Lake's courthouse is where the district court takes up Buena Vista County criminal cases, at 215 East 5th Street, Storm Lake, IA 50588. The Clerk of District Court answers questions about filings and hearing dates at 712-749-2546.
In Buena Vista County, district court sits in Storm Lake as part of Iowa's Third Judicial District. The clerk works from 215 East 5th Street (P.O. Box 1186), Storm Lake, IA 50588, at 712-749-2546, a few blocks from the County Attorney's office on Geneseo Street.
1. Who are the people to call?
- Clerk of District Court: 215 East 5th Street, P.O. Box 1186, Storm Lake, IA 50588; 712-749-2546; CountyClerk.BuenaVista@iowacourts.gov.
- County Attorney: 606 Geneseo Street, Storm Lake, IA 50588; 712-732-1933.
- Sheriff: 411 Expansion Blvd, P.O. Box 276, Storm Lake, IA 50588; 712-732-2452.
- Jail: same building; 712-732-2452.
- Juvenile Court Services: East 5th Street, Storm Lake; 712-749-2564.
2. What is the path of a Storm Lake case?
Release terms come first, from a magistrate, usually within a day of booking. Felony charges then need a trial information or indictment, followed by arraignment, pretrial conferences and either a plea or trial before a district judge. Simple misdemeanors and city tickets stay with a magistrate. Dockets are on Iowa Courts Online.
↑ Back to the question list3. Can I get a court-appointed attorney?
Tell the magistrate you want a lawyer and complete the sworn statement of income. When the court approves it, the court assigns a state public defender or a contract attorney, and the clerk can tell you who was named. For release questions see our bail guide.
↑ Back to the question list4. What about cases involving minors?
Juvenile Court Services handles them from East 5th Street, 712-749-2564. A youth who must be held usually goes to the Northwest Iowa YES Center in Cherokee, not the adult jail.
↑ Back to the question list5. Where do federal cases go?
Sioux City handles them: the federal Western Division clerk is at 320 6th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, 712-233-3900. The inmate search page links the BOP and ICE locators.
↑ Back to the question list6. Is there a second detention option for youth?
Yes. The Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center, 2317 Rick Collins Way, Eldora, IA 50627, 641-858-3852 also lists this county, so a Storm Lake child could be detained there; the detention hearing then follows within 1 working day.
↑ Back to the question list7. Can I send court papers by fax in Storm Lake?
Yes, the Buena Vista clerk's fax is 712-749-2700. Call the office first at 712-749-2546 if you are unsure what to send. Hearing dates are set by the district at 712-279-6608.
↑ Back to the question list8. Can I find out about a Buena Vista County warrant from the court?
Warrants out of the Storm Lake courthouse are served by Buena Vista County sheriff's deputies, at 712-749-2452. Storm Lake deputies don't publish warrant names; Iowa has no public statewide search; court cases show on Iowa Courts Online. When a missed Storm Lake court date is the cause, call the Clerk of District Court at 712-749-2546; the office is at 215 East 5th Street in Storm Lake.
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