20^th Century Reforms

 

Innovation and Change

 

For the Iowa Judicial Branch, the last half of the 20^th century was marked by a series of progressive reforms, far-reaching structural changes, and innovations designed to professionalize and modernize the Iowa court system. 

 

Merit Selection and Retention Elections (1962)

 

In 1962, the people of Iowa approved a constitutional amendment that established a merit selection system for the selection of all appellate and district court judges. The goal of merit selection is to promote professional qualifications and remove judicial selection from partisan politics. Nominees for judgeships are selected by nominating commissions. The governor then makes the appointment from the slate of nominees. One year after appointment and again at the end of their term of office, judges and justices stand for retention in office at the general election. Citizens have the opportunity to vote whether or not a judge is retained.

 

Mandatory Retirement (1965)

 

In 1965, a mandatory judicial retirement age was set at 72 for judges appointed after July 1, 1965. Those judges and justices selected before that date may serve until age 75.

 

Administrative Structure (1969 to 1972)

 

A system of 18 chief judges was established in 1969 to supervise over district court judicial officers and employees within the judicial district.

 

Reform continued through 1971 with the establishment of an administrative office of the Judicial Branch. The state court administrator is responsible for managing the Judicial Branch and administering funds appropriated to it. 

 

In 1972, eighteen judicial districts were consolidated into eight judicial districts. A chief judge was appointed to each district for a two-year term. Together, the eight chief judges and the chief justice of the supreme court make up the judicial council, which advises the supreme court on court administration.

 

Unified Trial Court Act (1973)

 

The passage of the Unified Trial Court Act of 1973 reformed the state court system by establishing a unified trial court known as the "Iowa District Court". This legislation abolished over 500 justice-of-the-peace courts, 899 mayor's courts, 14 municipal courts, and 34 police courts. The Act established the positions of judicial magistrates and district associate judges. The Act also established simplified, cost-effective methods of handling minor civil and criminal cases.

 

Code of Judicial Conduct (1973)

 

The Iowa Code of Judicial Conduct, a code of ethics for judges, was approved by the Iowa Supreme Court in 1973. In addition, the legislature created a seven member Commission on Judicial Qualifications in 1973. The commission, which was approved by voters in an amendment to the Iowa Constitution in 1972, was set up to investigate and evaluate complaints about the conduct of judicial officers.

 

Iowa Court of Appeals (1976)

 

By the early 1970's, the caseload of the Iowa Supreme Court was so large that it was taking about two years for the court to process appeals. To ease the overcrowded supreme court docket, the general assembly established an intermediate appellate court in 1976. The Iowa Court of Appeals was initially composed of five judges, but over the years the number of judges has increased to nine. 

 

Court Reorganization Act: State Funding (1983 to 1987)

 

In 1983, the legislature approved the Court Reorganization Act. The Act, which was originally proposed by the Iowa Supreme Court, transferred the expense of operating the court system (except the costs of district court facilities) from the counties to the state. Funding for juvenile court officers, court attendants (bailiffs), indigent defense, and clerks of court offices was taken over by the state in phases. The purpose of the transfer was to provide property tax relief and to equalize trial court resources throughout the state.

 

Equality in the Courts Task Force (1993)

 

In the early 90s, the Iowa Supreme Court took on the problems of gender and racial bias in the courts. The Supreme Court Equality in the Courts Commission gave Iowans an opportunity to share their views of bias in the courts. In 1993, after two years of work, the commission proposed a series of reforms aimed at eliminating any bias that might exist in the Iowa courts.

 

Commission on Planning for the 21^st Century (1996)

 

The most comprehensive study of the Iowa Judicial Branch was completed in 1996 by the Iowa Supreme Court Commission on Planning for the 21st Century. The commission, which was established to develop a long-range plan for Iowa's court system, brought together more than sixty Iowans from many different walks of life who were concerned about the administration of justice in Iowa. After a year of in-depth study and discussion, the commission proposed 90 recommendations that will enable the judicial branch to continue to deliver the highest quality of justice to the citizens of Iowa into the 21st century and beyond.

 

Information Technology (1987 to present)

 

In 1997, the Iowa Judicial Branch finished a ten-year project that computerized the court system statewide. The Iowa Court Information System (ICIS) was designed to automate case scheduling and court data processing throughout the state. It links all clerk of court offices throughout the state with district court administration and the state court administrator's office. It has succeeded in facilitating case management throughout the state. It also allows the Judicial Branch to interface with other government entities. It serves the public directly through public access terminals located in each courthouse. ICIS is the foundation for future technological innovations that will enhance the court system's ability to serve the public.

 

Appellate Court Restructuring (1998)

 

Iowa's two appellate courts, the Iowa Supreme Court and the Iowa Court of Appeals, were recently reorganized according to the Appellate Restructuring Plan approved by the legislature in 1998. The restructuring had two parts: the Iowa Court of Appeals was increased from six members to nine members in 1999 and the number of justices on the Iowa Supreme Court was reduced from nine to seven by attrition between 1999 and 2000. In January 2000, the Iowa Supreme Court began hearing cases en banc. 

 

The purpose of the restructuring plan is simple—to resolve more appeals faster and to enhance the development of case law.  It is in the public's best interest that the state's highest court hear cases en banc. According to ABA Appellate Standards, when a court of last resort deliberates and decides cases en banc, the collective and intellectual resources of the court are brought to bear on the development of the law.

 

Conclusion

 

From its inception as a small territorial court to its present day advanced statewide organization, Iowa's Judicial Branch is a venerable institution that has continually adapted to best serve the people of Iowa.  Iowans can look back on this history with pride and look forward with confidence that their judicial system will, with the tools of the future, continue to administer justice consistent with the traditions of the past.