• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Crime / Courts / Bill would re-open closed court offices

Bill would re-open closed court offices

March 13, 2002 By admin

Eleven court offices closed January 1st will re-open if a bill that cleared the Iowa House becomes law. The magistrate offices were closed as officials considered a reorganization plan for the courts, but that’s been abandoned, and lawmakers want those offices reopened. Once a week, judges from county seat courthouses traveled to Belle Plaine, Cedar Falls, Evansdale, Grinnell, Hudson, Iowa Falls, La Porte City, Missouri Valley, Oelwein, Perry and Shenandoah to open the satellite offices. Republican Representative George Eichhorn of Stratford says the magistrate offices handle minor civil and criminal cases. Eichhorn says closing those offices restricts access to justice.Democrat Representative Jackie Reeder of Oelwein says local officials told her many folks are missing court appearances because of the traveling distance to the county seat courthouses. She says they’re then charged with failure to appear and law officers have to go after them. She says that causes more cost in the long run.Reeder says all 11 communities have agreed to pick up the tab for the satellite courts if the legislature gives ’em permission to reopen. In most cases, it’s just the cost of mileage for the judge. The bill, which cleared the House this morning, now goes to the Senate.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Crime / Courts Tagged With: Legislature

Featured Stories

Bill would limit placement of solar arrays on farm ground

Marquette casino moving to land, leaving only 2 casino boats in Iowa

Reynolds signs her ‘school choice’ bill into law

Governor Reynolds touts 2024 Iowa Caucuses in Inaugural Address

University of Iowa grad presiding over U.S. House Speaker vote

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

No coaching changes coming for Iowa football

Iowa State names new receivers coach

No. 2 Iowa visits No. 1 Penn State in wrestling dual Friday night

Iowa’s Clark brings increased exposure to women’s basketball

No. 18 Iowa State women visit TCU

More Sports

Archives

Copyright © 2023 ยท Learfield News & Ag, LLC