Criminal records of Johnson County, Iowa, are available through several channels—from online tools to official court systems and law enforcement agencies. JohnsonCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be viewed through the Iowa state judicial branch portal, the Clerk of Court, and the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.
How to Search Criminal Records in Johnson
There are several ways to find criminal records, and each is suitable for different situations.
Through JohnsonCourt.us
Start with JohnsonCourt.us—the service allows you to search publicly available information about court cases in Johnson County. You will need the person's full name or case number for the search.
Online through Official State Portals
- Iowa Courts Online — electronic court record search allows you to find cases by name, date of birth, or case number. Public documents are also available at terminals in the courthouse.
- Johnson County Jail Roster — Jail Roster shows individuals currently held in the county jail.
- Iowa DOC Offender Search — offender search by the Iowa Department of Corrections contains information about individuals under supervision or incarcerated at the state level (according to Iowa Code § 904.601).
- DCI Criminal History Check — The Division of Criminal Investigation at the Iowa Department of Public Safety accepts criminal history check requests by mail, fax, email, or in person.
In Person
Visit the Johnson County Clerk of Court, part of the 6th Judicial District of Iowa:
The courthouse has public access terminals where you can view electronic case records.
Arrest and booking records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office Records Division:
By Mail or Written Request
- Clerk of Court — send a written request with the person's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number to: 417 South Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA 52240.
- State Repository (DCI) — for an official state-level criminal history check, send a request to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Full name and date of birth are required; a social security number is optional but helps refine results.
What you need to start a search:
- Full first and last name
- Date of birth (preferable)
- Case number, if known
Search Johnson Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each criminal case in Iowa is assigned a unique number consisting of several parts. Understanding the format will save time when searching.
The typical format of a case number in Iowa: FECR012345, where:
- Letter prefix indicates the type of case. For example: FECR — felony, SMCR — simple misdemeanor, SRCR — serious misdemeanor, AGCR — aggravated misdemeanor, OWCR — OWI cases.
- Numeric part — sequential case number.
When searching through Iowa Courts Online, enter the full case number in the appropriate field. Select "Johnson" county from the list. If you only have a name, the system will return all cases for that name—having the case number significantly narrows the results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Johnson
A court record in Johnson County contains several key elements. Here's what each of them means.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the section of the Iowa Code (e.g., § 321J.2 — OWI) |
| Severity Level | Felony (Class A–D), Aggravated Misdemeanor, Serious Misdemeanor, Simple Misdemeanor |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser or more severe one during proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and no decision has been made yet
- Active — the case is actively being heard by the court
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all obligations have been fulfilled, and the case is closed
Hearings
Different types of hearings reflect the stage of criminal proceedings:
- Arraignment — initial presentation of charges; the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed (usually for felonies)
- Pre-trial Conference — parties discuss procedural issues before the trial begins
- Sentencing — imposition of a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review Hearing — review of compliance with probation terms or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | The court or jury acquitted the defendant |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal after trial |
| Deferred Judgment | The court postponed sentencing; if conditions are met, the charge may be dismissed |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Johnson
Certified copies of criminal records are needed for official purposes—employment, licensing, immigration. In Johnson County, they are issued by different agencies depending on the type of record.
Clerk of Court
Issues certified copies of court documents: judgments, orders, case records. Submit a request in person or by mail.
What you need:
- Defendant's full name and case number (or date of birth for identification)
- Valid photo ID when applying in person
- Payment of established fees
Sheriff's Office — Records Division
Maintains booking records and arrest reports. Contact by phone at 319-356-6020, ext. 3 or visit the Records Division at 511 S Capitol St, Iowa City.
State Repository — DCI
For a complete state-level criminal history check in Iowa, contact the Division of Criminal Investigation. Requests can be sent by mail, fax, email, or submitted in person. Detailed information is available on the DCI page.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Johnson
Fees depend on the type of record and the issuing agency. Below are the main rates according to current Iowa law.
| Service | Cost | Source / Note |
|---|---|---|
| State Criminal History Check (DCI) | $15 per request | Iowa DPS — Division of Criminal Investigation |
| Certified Copy of Court Document | $1.00 per page + $5.00 for certification | Iowa Code § 602.8105 |
| Regular Copy of Court Document | $1.00 per page | Iowa Code § 602.8105 |
Processing Time
- DCI (criminal history check) — usually from a few business days to two weeks depending on the submission method
- Clerk of Court — in-person requests often issued the same day; mail requests may take 5–10 business days
- Sheriff's Records Division — times vary; contact 319-356-6020, ext. 3 for clarification
Payment is usually accepted by check or money order payable to the appropriate agency. Confirm acceptable payment methods before applying—some offices also accept credit cards for in-person visits.