Iowa Judicial
Qualifications Commission
The seven-member Judicial
Qualifications Commission is the government body responsible for evaluating and
investigating allegations of misconduct by Iowa judges, magistrates and court
employees. The Commission can recommend to the Iowa Supreme Court the
retirement, discipline or removal of a judicial officer or the discipline or
removal of an employee of the Iowa Judicial Branch. The Iowa Supreme Court can retire
a judicial officer for a disability or discipline or remove a judicial officer
for good cause, only upon application of the Commission. The Court cannot retire,
discipline, or remove a judicial officer without first receiving a public
report from the Judicial Qualifications Commission.
The Commission does
not …
The Commission does not
have authority to change a court ruling, decision or order. Nor does the
Commission evaluate whether a judicial officer has erred in a particular
ruling. To contest a court ruling or order, the proper course of action is
to appeal to a higher court. Therefore, if your complaint is about the
"correctness" of a judge's ruling or decision, you should consult
with an attorney about whether to file an appeal with a higher court.
The Commission does not
have authority to investigate complaints about administrative law judges or
ALJs (executive branch officials who hear disputes concerning the actions of
state agencies) or federal judges. For complaints about an administrative law
judge contact the Administrative Hearings Division of the Department of
Inspections and Appeals at 515.281.6372.
For complaints against a federal judge, contact the clerk of the court
of appeals for that circuit or applicable national court.