District 4 Shelby County Courthouse Court cases in Shelby County, Harlan, IA
Shelby County District Court in Harlan is part of the Iowa District Court, the state trial court of general jurisdiction for Shelby County. It serves as the primary forum for local state-law matters, hearing criminal cases (felonies and misdemeanors), civil actions (including small claims), family and domestic relations (divorce, custody, support), juvenile proceedings, probate and estate cases, traffic and other simple misdemeanors, mental health and substance-related commitment matters, and applications for protective orders. Magistrates and district associate judges handle certain lower-level cases within the court, while district court judges preside over higher-level trials and motions. Appeals from this court are taken to the Iowa Court of Appeals or the Iowa Supreme Court.
District 4 Shelby County Courthouse Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | District Court |
| County: | Shelby |
| Street Address: | 612 Court St. |
| City: | Harlan |
| Zip Code: | 51537 |
| Phone: | 712-755-5543 |
| Hours: | 8AM–4:30PM |
| Website URL: | https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-4/ |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/court-forms/ |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | https://iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp//SelectFrame |
| Jury Service: | https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/jury-service/ |
| Facebook: | https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=212860782061081 |
| Twitter: | https://twitter.com/iowacourts?lang=en |
| Linkedin: | https://www.linkedin.com/company/iowa-judicial-branch |
| ADA: | Angela Collinson |
| ADA Phone: | 712-328-5883 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | angela.collinson@iowacourts.gov |
| About / Additional Info: | Nearly all cases begin in the district (trial) court and there is one district court in every county in Iowa. The district court has general jurisdiction of civil, criminal, juvenile, and probate matters in the state. It is where parties start their lawsuits, prosecutors file criminal charges, trials take place, lawyers offer evidence, witnesses testify, juries deliberate, and judges enter judgments. For purposes of administration, Iowa is divided into eight judicial districts. A chief judge who is selected by the Iowa Supreme Court heads each district. |
| Wikipedia: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_County_Courthouse_(Iowa) |
Services and Case Types Handled in District 4 Shelby County Courthouse
Shelby County District Court serves the public as a trial-level forum for case processing and access to justice. Core services include:
- Case filings: intake and docketing for criminal misdemeanors, traffic offenses, preliminary felony matters, and civil disputes (including small claims).
- Protective orders: intake and issuance of protection-from-abuse or similar restraining orders, where authorized by law.
- Court hearings: scheduling and conducting arraignments, motion hearings, trials as authorized, and sentencing; managing continuances and interpreter requests.
- Jury services: juror summons, qualification, scheduling, and support during trials (where applicable).
- Records and payments: public access to case information and copies; filing of pleadings/motions; payment of fines, fees, and restitution.
- Additional functions may include juvenile proceedings, magistrate/warrant services, mediation referrals, and compliance monitoring.