• Clerk of District Court: 201 West Main Street, Decorah, IA 52101; 563-382-2469; countyclerk.winneshiek@iowacourts.gov.
• Winneshiek County Attorney: P.O. Box 450, Decorah, IA 52101; 563-382-2959.
• Juvenile Court Office: 201 West Main Street, Decorah, IA 52101; 319-291-2506.
• Winneshiek County Jail: 400 Claiborne Drive, Decorah, IA 52101; 563-387-4096.

The first appearance is usually held the next court day. There the defendant hears the charge, bond or other release conditions are set, and a request for appointed counsel can be made. Probable cause must be decided within 48 hours if there was no warrant.

• Magistrates decide simple misdemeanors, tickets and local-ordinance matters.
• District associate judges take operating-while-intoxicated cases and the higher misdemeanors.
• District judges try felonies and run the juvenile docket.

1. Booking on Claiborne Drive; a magistrate hearing follows.
2. A formal charge (trial information), customarily within 45 days.
3. Arraignment in court or by a filed not-guilty plea.
4. Evidence exchange, depositions and motions.
5. Under the speedy-trial rule, a jury trial within 90 days after arraignment, which the defense can waive.
6. Sentencing after a presentence investigation, if there is a conviction.

Iowa Courts Online lets you search public cases by name or number. Juvenile and confidential records are excluded.

At the first appearance, ask for counsel and complete a financial affidavit. Those who qualify get the public defender or a contract attorney; the court may require partial reimbursement.

Complaints about a minor are handled by the Juvenile Court Office, 319-291-2506, and petitions come from the County Attorney. A juvenile court officer can tell parents where a detained child is.

Northern District of Iowa, Eastern Division: 111 7th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401; 319-286-2300. Filings are on PACER; the BOP locator tracks federal prisoners.

See our Winneshiek County bail page.

At North Iowa Juvenile Detention Services, 1440 West Dunkerton Road, Waterloo, IA 50703, 319-291-2455. That hearing is due within 1 working day.

Deputies from the Claiborne Drive sheriff's office serve most district court warrants, and Decorah police serve some city ones; the sheriff answers at 563-382-4268. Names aren't posted, and Iowa offers no public statewide search. Iowa Courts Online shows the case. The Clerk of District Court at 201 West Main Street (563-382-2469) can explain rescheduling a missed Decorah hearing. A Decorah attorney can line up a surrender time at the jail on Claiborne Drive.