• Clerk of District Court: 855 State Street, P.O. Box 70, Garner, IA 50438; 641-923-2532.
• Hancock County Attorney: courthouse, 855 State Street, Garner, IA 50438; 641-923-4198; weekdays 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.
• Hancock County Sheriff: 875 State Street, Garner, IA 50438; 641-923-2621.
• Winnebago County Jail, where inmates are housed: 935 Highway 69 North, Forest City, IA 50436; 641-585-3632.

The person goes before a magistrate, often on video, soon after booking. The magistrate goes over the charge, rules on release and notes whether the defendant wants a lawyer named by the court. If there was no warrant, a court has 48 hours to rule on whether the arrest had probable cause.

• Magistrate: simple misdemeanors, speeding and other tickets, and city code cases from Garner and Britt.
• District associate judge: serious and aggravated misdemeanors such as OWI.
• District judge: every felony, plus juvenile court.

1. Arrest, booking and an initial appearance.
2. Roughly 45 days at most for the prosecutor to file the trial information.
3. Arraignment on the charge, or a written waiver of it.
4. Each side gathers evidence and argues motions.
5. Jury trial inside 90 days unless speedy trial is waived.
6. A guilty verdict leads to a presentence investigation and a sentencing date.

Yes, on Iowa Courts Online. Pick Hancock County, then search by name or case number for charges, bond, hearing dates and orders. Sealed and juvenile cases stay private.

A defendant who cannot afford one fills out a financial statement and asks the court. When approved, the judge appoints a lawyer through the State Public Defender, often a local contract attorney. Repayment of some fees may be ordered later.

Delinquency petitions are filed by the County Attorney and heard in Garner by a district judge in juvenile court. Juvenile Court Services for the district is at 220 North Washington Avenue, Mason City, IA 50401; the clerk can tell you which officer is assigned. Detained youths are taken to the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center, 2317 Rick Collins Way, Eldora, IA 50627, 641-858-3852.

Northern Iowa's federal court takes them; its Central Division meets in Fort Dodge and Mason City, and its clerk works from 320 6th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, 712-233-3900. Use PACER for the filings and the BOP locator for federal prisoners.

Our Hancock County bail page covers bond amounts, posting, refunds and the 2026 law.

Hancock County's clerk can be reached at 641-923-2532 or by fax at 641-923-3521. Hearing times are set through 641-494-3612.

The Garner sheriff's deputies serve district court warrants; their office answers 24 hours at 641-923-2621. Hancock shares no names; Iowa has no statewide public tool; read the case on Iowa Courts Online. When a missed Garner hearing is the reason, call the Clerk of District Court at 855 State Street in Garner, 641-923-2532. Since 2018, people from Garner are booked at the jail in Forest City, ideally with a lawyer arranging the time.