Fayette County Correctional Center Criminal Court Process
Criminal Court Process for Fayette County Iowa
Fayette County District Court, West Union, Iowa
Fayette County cases are heard at the courthouse in downtown West Union. The clerk's office is at 114 North Vine Street, Suite 200, West Union, IA 52175, 563-422-5694. People held at the correctional center on Industrial Parkway are brought there for hearings. The county belongs to Iowa's First Judicial District.
Offices to know
- Clerk of District Court: 114 North Vine Street, Suite 200, West Union, IA 52175; 563-422-5694.
- Fayette County Correctional Center: 220 N. Industrial Parkway, West Union, IA 52175; 563-422-3234.
- First District Court Administration (scheduling): 319-833-3332.
- Juvenile Court Services: 818 Lafayette Street, P.O. Box 1468, Waterloo, IA 50704; 319-291-2506.
From arrest to verdict
- First appearance, usually within a day, where a magistrate reads the charge and then sets release terms.
- Trial information filed by the prosecutor for indictable crimes.
- Arraignment and a plea in district court.
- Discovery, motions and plea talks.
- Trial, then sentencing after a guilty verdict or plea.
Simple misdemeanors and most traffic cases stay with a magistrate. Dockets are on Iowa Courts Online.
↑ Back to the question listWill West Union appoint counsel?
At the first hearing, explain to the judge that you can't afford one and complete a financial affidavit. If approved, the State Public Defender system assigns counsel, either a public defender or a contract lawyer. A judge can order some of that cost repaid if you are convicted. Our bail guide covers release while the case is open.
↑ Back to the question listWhen a minor is charged
Juvenile Court Services handles Fayette County youth from its Waterloo office, 319-291-2506. Minor matters can be resolved without a petition, while bigger ones go before a juvenile judge. A 16- or 17-year-old charged with certain serious felonies starts out in adult court.
↑ Back to the question listFederal court for Fayette County
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa hears federal charges from here. Its clerk is at 111 7th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, 319-286-2300. Our inmate search page explains how to track someone in federal custody.
↑ Back to the question listWhich juvenile centers take Fayette County cases?
Two centers are used: North Iowa Juvenile Detention Services, 1440 West Dunkerton Road, Waterloo, IA 50703, 319-291-2455, and Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center, 2317 Rick Collins Way, Eldora, IA 50627, 641-858-3852. The detention hearing may be held in the county where the youth is placed.
↑ Back to the question listIs there a fax for the West Union clerk?
Yes, it is 563-422-3137. Call the Fayette County clerk at 563-422-5694 with questions about a case.
↑ Back to the question listDoes the Fayette County court have a warrant list I can check?
The sheriff keeps an online warrant search for Fayette County, and Fayette deputies serve those warrants; confirm what you find at 563-422-6067. That tool only covers the county, since Iowa has no statewide public search. Read the case itself on Iowa Courts Online. When a missed West Union hearing is behind it, the Clerk of District Court at 114 North Vine Street, Ste. 200, West Union (563-422-5694), can talk about a new date.
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