• Clerk of District Court: Van Buren County Courthouse, 406 Dodge Street, Keosauqua, IA 52565; 319-528-5009; countyclerk.vanburen@iowacourts.gov.
• Van Buren County Attorney: 903 4th Street (P.O. Box 496), Keosauqua, IA 52565; 319-293-3409 or 319-293-3755, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prosecutors here bring every state criminal case in the county.
• Van Buren County Jail: 907 Broad Street, Keosauqua, IA 52565; 319-293-3426.

Shortly after an arrest, the person goes before a magistrate or judge. The judge explains the charge, sets bond or release conditions, and can appoint a lawyer. If police arrested without a warrant, a judge must confirm there was cause.

• Magistrates: simple misdemeanors, traffic and ordinance cases.
• District associate judges: serious and aggravated misdemeanors.
• District judges: felony cases. Eighth District judges travel to Keosauqua for set court days.

1. First appearance, where bond is set.
2. A trial information must be filed within 45 days of arrest.
3. Arraignment, where the defendant answers guilty or not guilty.
4. Discovery and depositions of witnesses.
5. Trial within 90 days of the trial information, unless the right is waived.
6. Sentencing, which usually follows a background report on the defendant.

Search Iowa Courts Online by selecting Van Buren County and entering a name or case number. It shows charges, bond, filings and hearing dates.

Yes, if you cannot afford one. Complete a financial affidavit at the first appearance or with the clerk. If the judge approves, a lawyer is assigned through the State Public Defender, often a contract attorney in the area. The closest staff office of the State Public Defender sits in Ottumwa, at 109 S. Court Street, Ottumwa, IA 52501, 641-682-0203.

Charges against people under 18 are usually handled in juvenile court, part of the district court. The juvenile court services office for this area is at 304 South Maple, Fairfield, IA 52556, 641-472-3012. If a youth must be detained, it is usually at South Iowa Juvenile Detention, run by the South Iowa Area Detention Service Agency, 2528 255th Street, Montrose, IA 52639, 319-463-7417. Parents or guardians are expected at hearings.

In Davenport, in the Southern District of Iowa's Eastern Division. The courthouse is at 131 East 4th Street, Davenport, IA 52801; the main line of the clerk's office, 515-284-6248, handles this division. After sentencing, look up federal prisoners on the BOP inmate locator.

Yes. Our Van Buren County bail page explains bond amounts, how to pay and how refunds work.

Sheriff's deputies in Keosauqua carry out warrants from the courthouse at Fourth and Dodge; their office is at 319-293-3426. No warrant names are shared, and Iowa offers no statewide public search. Iowa Courts Online shows the case. The Clerk of District Court in Keosauqua (319-528-5009) can explain rescheduling a missed Keosauqua hearing. A lawyer can plan a surrender at the county jail in Keosauqua.