• Clerk of District Court: third floor, 214 E. Main Street, Knoxville, IA 50138; 641-828-2207.
• Marion County Attorney: same building; 641-828-2223; weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Marion County Jail: 211 N. Godfrey Lane, Knoxville, IA 50138; 641-828-2245.

Shortly after booking, each new prisoner goes before a magistrate, in person or over video from the jail. The charge is explained, release conditions are decided, and anyone who cannot afford counsel can say so. When no warrant was issued, a judge must review probable cause inside 48 hours.

• Magistrates: simple misdemeanors, traffic tickets and ordinance cases.
• District associate judges: OWI and other serious or aggravated misdemeanors, and some juvenile work.
• District judges: felony prosecutions.

1. Arrest, booking on Godfrey Lane and a quick court appearance.
2. Formal charges from the County Attorney, normally within 45 days.
3. Arraignment, often waived with a written not-guilty plea.
4. Exchanging evidence, taking depositions and arguing motions.
5. A jury or bench trial, which has to begin within 90 days of arraignment when speedy trial is demanded.
6. Sentencing in Knoxville, usually after a presentence report.

Iowa Courts Online lists Marion County dockets by name or case number. Sealed and juvenile files stay off it, and documents themselves are viewed at a public terminal in the courthouse.

Tell the magistrate judge at the first hearing that you want a lawyer, and fill in a sworn financial statement for the court. When the court finds you eligible, it appoints counsel, and a later order may require repaying some of the fees.

The County Attorney brings delinquency petitions in juvenile court, and Juvenile Court Services keeps an office in the courthouse, 641-828-2046. A young person ordered into detention is taken to the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center in Eldora, 641-858-3852.

Marion County lies in the Southern District of Iowa, Central Division. Its courthouse is at 111 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, 515-284-6248. Filings are on PACER; the BOP locator finds federal prisoners.

Amounts, posting and refunds are on our Marion County bail page.

Sheriff's deputies carry out district court warrants, while Knoxville and Pella police serve some city ones. Marion County dispatch at 641-828-2220 can connect you. Knoxville posts no warrant names; Iowa offers no public statewide search. The case appears on Iowa Courts Online. The Clerk of District Court at 214 E. Main in Knoxville (641-828-2207) can explain getting a missed Knoxville hearing reset.