Guthrie County Jail Criminal Court Process

Last updated by Mark Miclette

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Criminal Court Process for Guthrie County Iowa

Iowa courts

Guthrie County District Court, Guthrie Center, Iowa

Guthrie County's courthouse is at 200 North 5th Street, Guthrie Center, IA 50115, and the Law Enforcement Center with the jail uses that same street address.

Criminal cases are part of Iowa's Fifth Judicial District, which reaches from Des Moines out to the west-central counties.

At the first hearing, explain to the magistrate that hiring a lawyer is not possible, and sign the sworn statement about your finances.

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1. Main court contacts

  • Clerk of District Court: 200 North 5th Street, Guthrie Center, IA 50115; 641-747-3415.
  • Guthrie County Attorney: 200 North 5th Street, Guthrie Center, IA 50115; 641-747-3765. This office prosecutes and cannot advise defendants.
  • Guthrie County Jail: 200 N. 5th Street, Guthrie Center, IA 50115; 641-747-2214.
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2. Stages of a criminal case

  1. First appearance: soon after booking, the accused hears the charge and a magistrate decides on bond.
  2. Trial information: the County Attorney files the formal charge for indictable offenses.
  3. Arraignment: the defendant enters a plea.
  4. Pretrial: discovery, depositions, motions and plea talks.
  5. Trial, within 90 days of arraignment unless waived, followed by sentencing if there is a conviction.

Magistrates decide simple misdemeanors. Case records are on Iowa Courts Online.

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3. Appointed lawyers in Guthrie Center

Once approved, the State Public Defender system assigns a public defender or a contract attorney. Some of that cost can be ordered repaid after a conviction. Release questions are covered in our bail guide.

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4. Juvenile cases

Fifth District Juvenile Court Services handles Guthrie County youth cases, and the courthouse clerk can point you to the right juvenile officer. If a young person has to be detained, the county uses the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center, 2317 Rick Collins Way, Eldora, IA 50627, 641-858-3852. A 16- or 17-year-old charged with certain serious felonies starts in adult court.

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5. Federal court

Federal crimes from Guthrie County are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, 111 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, 515-284-6248. Our inmate search page explains how to locate someone in federal custody.

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6. How do I contact the Guthrie Center clerk?

Call 641-747-3415 or fax 641-747-2420. Hearings in Guthrie County are scheduled by the district at 515-561-5819.

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7. Who handles warrants for the Guthrie County court?

Guthrie County sheriff's deputies serve warrants from the Guthrie Center courthouse; their office answers at 641-747-2214, and the foyer intercom works around the clock. Guthrie deputies publish no names; Iowa runs no statewide public search; Iowa Courts Online shows the case. When a missed Guthrie Center hearing is behind it, call the Clerk of District Court at 641-747-3415, 200 North 5th Street.

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Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Guthrie County

Human-verified information Manually curated

Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.