District 8 Wapello County Courthouse Court cases in Wapello County, Ottumwa, IA
Wapello County District Court in Ottumwa is part of the Iowa District Court for the Eighth Judicial District and serves as the county's general-jurisdiction trial court. It hears cases arising under Iowa law within Wapello County, including felony and misdemeanor criminal matters; civil lawsuits; family law (divorce, custody, child support); juvenile proceedings (child in need of assistance, delinquency, termination of parental rights); probate and guardianship; small claims; traffic and other simple misdemeanors; and mental health and substance-related commitments. Judicial officers include district court judges, district associate judges, magistrates, and associate juvenile judges, and the Clerk of Court manages filings, records, and case processing.
District 8 Wapello County Courthouse Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | District Court |
| County: | Wapello |
| Street Address: | 101 W 4th St |
| City: | Ottumwa |
| Zip Code: | 52501 |
| Phone: | 641-683-0060 |
| Hours: | 8AM–4:30PM |
| Website URL: | https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-8/ |
| 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://www.facebook.com/WapelloCountyFamilyTreatmentCourt/ |
| Twitter: | https://twitter.com/iowacourts?lang=en |
| Linkedin: | https://www.linkedin.com/company/iowa-judicial-branch |
| ADA: | Cathy Reck |
| ADA Phone: | 641-684-6502 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | cathy.reck@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/Wapello_County_Courthouse |
Services and Case Types Handled in District 8 Wapello County Courthouse
Wapello County District Court provides trial-level case processing and public services across:
- Criminal: felonies, misdemeanors, traffic; from initial appearances to sentencing.
- Civil: contract and tort disputes, landlord-tenant/evictions, small claims.
- Family: divorce, custody, child support, paternity.
- Protective orders: domestic abuse, sexual abuse, elder abuse.
- Probate/guardianship: estates, conservatorships, name changes.
- Juvenile: delinquency and child-in-need-of-assistance cases.
- Mental health and substance-related commitments.
Public-facing services include:
- Case filings and eFiling support; docketing, scheduling, and notices.
- Court hearings and trials (bench and jury), including coordination of remote appearances when available.
- Jury services: summonsing, qualification, orientation, and juror assistance.
- Records access and certified copies; fine, fee, and restitution payments.
- Interpreter services and ADA accommodation coordination; forms and limited self-help guidance.