• Clerk of District Court: 916 Braden Avenue, Chariton, IA 50049; 641-774-4421; countyclerk.lucas@iowacourts.gov.
• Lucas County Attorney: a part-time office at 123 S. Grand Street, Chariton, IA 50049 (P.O. Box 38); 641-774-5956; weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office prosecutes state law and county ordinance violations.
• Lucas County Holding Facility: Lucas County Law Center, 48559 Hy-Vee Road, Chariton, IA 50049; 641-774-5083.

The magistrate explains the accusation, fixes release conditions and raises the question of appointed counsel; for a warrantless arrest, probable cause is reviewed too. If the hearing does not happen within the 24 hours the holding facility can keep someone, the person may appear after being moved to Wayne County.

• Magistrate: simple misdemeanors, traffic and city ordinance cases from Chariton and the smaller towns.
• District associate judge: serious and aggravated misdemeanors.
• District judge: felonies, set on Fifth District court days in Chariton.

1. Arrest, a short stay at the Law Center and the initial appearance.
2. Formal charges by trial information, usually inside 45 days.
3. Arraignment, which most defendants waive in writing.
4. Evidence exchange, depositions and any motions.
5. Trial within 90 days of the trial information if speedy trial is not waived.
6. Presentence investigation and sentencing after a conviction.

The sheriff's office says all mittimus time, meaning a jail sentence ordered by the court, is served in Decatur County. A person with a sentence to serve must call the sheriff's office at 641-774-5083 to set up the dates. Longer sentences go to the Iowa Department of Corrections.

Choose Lucas County in Iowa Courts Online and search by name or case number to see charges, bond and court dates.

Ask at the first appearance and fill out a financial affidavit. Lucas County cases are covered by private attorneys who contract with the State Public Defender and are appointed by the court. The clerk at 641-774-4421 handles the paperwork.

In Chariton, a district judge acts as the juvenile court for delinquency petitions filed by the County Attorney's office. The Judicial Branch lists juvenile court matters for Lucas County through the clerk at 916 Braden Avenue, 641-774-4421. Most juvenile records are not public. Since the Chariton holding facility cannot keep juveniles, a detained youth is placed at the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center, 2317 Rick Collins Way, Eldora, IA 50627, 641-858-3852.

Federal charges from Lucas County are heard by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Central Division, 111 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309; clerk 515-284-6248. Federal cases are not on Iowa Courts Online, and the BOP locator lists sentenced federal prisoners.

Our Lucas County bail page explains the inmate list's bond entries, posting, the 2026 law and refunds.

Lucas County sheriff's deputies carry out warrants from the courthouse on Braden Avenue, and the Law Center answers at 641-774-5083. They don't publish a list of names, and Iowa has no public statewide search reaching beyond Chariton. The case shows on Iowa Courts Online. The Clerk of District Court at 916 Braden Avenue (641-774-4421) can explain rescheduling a missed Chariton hearing.