Polk County Juvenile Detention Center Criminal Court Process
Criminal Court Process for Polk County Iowa
Polk County District Court, Des Moines, Iowa
Polk County criminal cases are heard in the downtown Des Moines courthouse complex.
The Historic Courthouse sits at 5th and Mulberry Street, and the Criminal Courts Building, where jury trials also run, is directly across 6th Avenue at 110 6th Avenue. Polk is the core of Iowa's Fifth Judicial District.
Anyone jailed while a case is pending is held at the Polk County Jail, 1985 NE 51st Place, Des Moines, IA 50313, though a sentenced overflow group serves time at the Carroll County Jail, 114 E. 6th Street, Carroll, IA 51401 (712-792-4394).
1. Court buildings and phone numbers
- Clerk of District Court: Historic Courthouse, 500 Mulberry Street, Room 212, Des Moines, IA 50309; 515-561-5718.
- Criminal Courts Building: 110 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309. Questions about hearings there go to the clerk at 515-561-5718.
- Juvenile Court Services: 222 5th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309; 515-561-5680.
- Polk County Jail: 1985 NE 51st Place, Des Moines, IA 50313; 515-286-3344.
2. Before you go
Enter the Historic Courthouse from the west side on 6th Avenue. Since March 30, 2026, cups, mugs and bottles that contain any metal are not allowed in the Polk County courthouses. Leave extra time for security, especially on busy morning dockets.
↑ Back to the question list3. How a case moves forward
- Initial appearance within 24 hours of arrest, where probable cause, a lawyer and bond are addressed.
- Preliminary hearing, unless a trial information is filed first.
- Trial information filed by the County Attorney for indictable charges.
- Arraignment, at which the defendant pleads.
- Pretrial: exchange of evidence, motions and plea talks.
- Trial within 90 days of arraignment unless waived, then sentencing.
Simple misdemeanors and traffic matters are decided by magistrates. Any case can be looked up on Iowa Courts Online by picking Polk County.
↑ Back to the question list4. Public defenders
The State Public Defender runs a large office in Des Moines, so Polk defendants who qualify are usually given a staff public defender rather than a contract lawyer. Raise it when you first face the judge, and complete the sworn statement of income and assets. Part of the cost can be ordered repaid. Release is covered in our bail guide.
↑ Back to the question list5. Youth cases
Youth cases begin with Juvenile Court Services, 222 5th Avenue, 515-561-5680. A young person needing detention goes to the county's own Polk County Juvenile Detention Center, 1548 Hull Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50316, staffed around the clock at 515-286-3344. Its Centralized Intake desk answers at 515-286-3350. Older teens facing serious felonies may be charged as adults.
↑ Back to the question list6. Federal court in Des Moines
Federal crimes from Polk County are tried at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Central Division, 111 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, 515-284-6248. Federal locators are on our inmate search page.
↑ Back to the question list7. With so many police departments in Polk County, who holds my warrant?
It depends on who filed the charge. The Polk County Sheriff serves warrants from district court, while Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny and other city departments serve their own. Start with the sheriff at 515-286-3814. Iowa has no statewide public warrant search, and the sheriff posts no list, but Iowa Courts Online shows every Polk court case. For a missed hearing, the Clerk of District Court in the Historic Courthouse, 500 Mulberry Street, Room 212 (515-561-5718), can explain how to seek a new date.
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