Iowa is a combination state meaning, with the exception of secure detention, the state administers most delinquency services for youth. However, responsibility is divided between the state judicial and state executive branches.

How is detention organized? 

Iowa has 10 secure detention facilities, which county executives or multi-county regional commissions administer. Local funds pay for juvenile detention centers, and most of the costs of housing juveniles in detention are primarily locally supported; however, the state reimburses counties for a small portion of juvenile detention center costs.

Juvenile court officers may divert the juvenile by entering into an informal adjustment agreement. Informal adjustments are contracts that require that the juvenile admit to the charges and typically require non-judicial probation in which the juvenile abides by certain conditions of behavior.

Iowa Code Section 915 provides victims of juvenile offenders with certain rights, including the right to be notified of the juvenile’s and his or her parents’ names and addresses and about disposition or informal adjustments.

Each of the judicial districts has a chief juvenile court officer (JCO) who supervises juvenile court officers, who are Supreme Court employees. The judges in each district select their chief JCO. These eight chief JCOs meet periodically to coordinate their practices, but there is not a state administrator.

Juvenile court officers must have Bachelor’s degrees in law, criminal justice, social work, or a related major. Statute does not require candidates to possess work experience in specified areas. Juvenile court officers are not professionally certified in Iowa. They have to attend a one or two week intensive pre-service training conducted by the Supreme Court.

Upon commitment, custody and guardianship of the adjudicated juvenile is given to the Department of Human Services. Statute requires dispositional review hearings every 12 months, but judges generally review cases every 6 months.

The court reviews Department of Human Services' recommendations for release and makes the final release decision. The court does not use a risk/needs instrument to make the release decision. 

Juvenile court officers (JCOs) develop recommendations to the court for aftercare that may involve supervision by a JCO and treatment services from private agencies. Some judicial districts use tracking services, intensive supervision, and day programming.

Iowa’s purpose clause is rooted in the Standard Juvenile Court Act.

Lower Age: None specified

Upper Age: 17

Extended Age of Delinquency Jurisdiction: 18

The court determines the level of probation supervision and does not currently use a classification tool. The court does not use a risk/needs instrument to make placement decisions. No data was available on the use of assessments in aftercare decisions.