Polk County Courts are judicial bodies that resolves legal disputes at the federal, Iowa State, or local Polk County level. Courts typically specialize in a particular area of law, such as criminal, civil, family, and traffic courts. Courts also create records about their cases, which provide information about the defendant and plaintiffs in a trial, the charges brought against an individual, the outcome of a trial, and any sentences, court decrees, or probation orders. Any type of judicial action creates a paper trail, and many courts provide online access to their case records. This includes records on criminal misdemeanors and felonies, divorces, lawsuits against businesses, civil rights violations, complaints about sexual harassment or discrimination, and more. Court databases often allow the public to search cases by the names of the people involved.
Des Moines District Court Des Moines IA 500 Mulberry Street 50309 515-286-3772
Polk County Juvenile Justice Centers handle youth who have broken the law in a separate system from adult offenders. For juvenile offenders, who are seventeen or younger, Polk County case records may show all arrests, referrals to agencies of intake centers, bookings at Polk County detention centers, and records from the adjudication process. These Polk County case files may also include psychological assessments, probation, court-ordered restitution, or placements in a juvenile correction facility. These records may be sealed because of their personal nature, but even partial or redacted records may provide important information on a person's juvenile record. Juvenile Justice Centers may provide access to their case records on their websites.
Des Moines Criminal And Juvenile Justice Des Moines IA 321 East 12th Street 50319 515-242-5823
Departments of Justice in Polk County are executive departments that operate at the Federal or Iowa State level. It is responsible for enforcing the law, including both criminal and civil cases. Polk County Departments of Justice are led by the Attorney General, and they prosecute cases on a range of issues, including tax law violations, civil rights violations, drug charges, and voting rights violations. They maintain case records on all of their cases, which provide information about the accused and the trial itself, including testimony and witnesses, as well as the court's ruling. A Polk County case search can identify any person or business that the Department of Justice has prosecuted, including the outcome of the case. These records may be searchable by name on the Department of Justice website.
Des Moines Iowa Department of Justice West Des Moines IA 310 Maple Street 50265 515-281-5739
Polk County Attorney Generals act as the chief legal officer for their jurisdiction at either the Federal or Iowa State level. They are charged with managing Polk County court cases and maintaining records on their current and former cases. These case records include criminal and civil cases, including civil rights violations, discrimination complaints, drug charges, and criminal cases in Polk County, IA. A Polk County case search provides information on the litigants, the charges, and the outcome of the case, including prison sentences, probation, and financial restitution ordered by the Polk County Court. Attorney General case records provide important information about a person's court record, as well as any lawsuits brought against businesses. Attorneys General in Polk County may provide searchable records from their court cases online.
Iowa Attorney General Des Moines IA 1305 East Walnut Street 50319 515-281-3648
Iowa Attorney General Consumer Protection Division Des Moines IA 1305 East Walnut Street 50319 515-281-5926
Polk County District Attorney Offices prosecute legal cases on behalf of the public, including both criminal and civil cases. The office maintains records on prior and ongoing cases, such as prosecutions for criminal felonies and misdemeanors like assault, battery, robbery, and homicide. The Polk County Court cases also include civil trials against businesses or individuals who have broken the law. A Polk County case search can identify litigants in a trial and show whether an individual has any criminal convictions or complaints. This makes the District Attorney Office an important resource when conducting a Polk County background check. District Attorneys may provide online access to their court case information on their websites.
Polk County District Attorney Des Moines IA 222 5th Avenue 50309 515-286-3737