Court Organization ILEA Exam #6 – practice questions with answers
and study guide
What are the 2 basic types of courts in Iowa? - correct answer ✔✔1. Courts of original
jurisdiction (County courthouses)
2. Appellate courts (2 of them that review other courts)
What are the 2 appellate courts? - correct answer ✔✔1. Court of appeals
2. Supreme court of Iowa
*All cases go to supreme court 1st, then they decide if they want to hear the appeal or send to
court of appeals*
Courts of original jurisdiction are courts that hear _____________ and determine __________
or liability. - correct answer ✔✔Evidence; guilt
What are the 3 types of courts with original jurisdiction and what level of penalties do they have
jurisdiciton over? - correct answer ✔✔- Magistrate Court (simple misdemeanors)
- Associate District Court (Serious and Ag misd., D felonies)
- District Court (A, B, and C felonies)
Appellate courts are courts of review. They ensure that each side has received a ______
________________ under the law. - correct answer ✔✔Fair hearing
What level of offenses have an automatic right to have their appeal heard? - correct answer
✔✔Serious misdemeanor and above; Simples do not have this right (Supreme court could still
agree to hear it if they want)
, T/F: An associate district or district court can hear appeals from magistrate court. - correct
answer ✔✔True
Once a defendant is taken to jail and processed they must be taken to see a magistrate
__________ _______________ ___________. - correct answer ✔✔without unnecessary delay
(Does not mean 24 hours)
What is it called when an individual 1st appears before the court to answer the charges set
against them? - correct answer ✔✔Initial appearance
What must a defendant be told/ given at an initial appearance? - correct answer ✔✔Advised of
charges, receives a copy of criminal complaint, and advised of their rights.
What rights are advised during an initial appearance? - correct answer ✔✔A. The right to
counsel
B. The right to appointed counsel if they cannot afford one
C. The general circumstances on which they can secure release
D. The right to a bond review
E. The right to remain silent
F. The court shall allow the defendant a reasonable amount of time to secure an attorney
What is a bond? - correct answer ✔✔A financial pledge or obligation made by a defendant to
secure their future attendance in court.
What happens during an initial appearance for a simple misdemeanor? - correct answer ✔✔1.
Defendant enters a plea (For guilty, sentence is issued; for not, court will set it for trial)
and study guide
What are the 2 basic types of courts in Iowa? - correct answer ✔✔1. Courts of original
jurisdiction (County courthouses)
2. Appellate courts (2 of them that review other courts)
What are the 2 appellate courts? - correct answer ✔✔1. Court of appeals
2. Supreme court of Iowa
*All cases go to supreme court 1st, then they decide if they want to hear the appeal or send to
court of appeals*
Courts of original jurisdiction are courts that hear _____________ and determine __________
or liability. - correct answer ✔✔Evidence; guilt
What are the 3 types of courts with original jurisdiction and what level of penalties do they have
jurisdiciton over? - correct answer ✔✔- Magistrate Court (simple misdemeanors)
- Associate District Court (Serious and Ag misd., D felonies)
- District Court (A, B, and C felonies)
Appellate courts are courts of review. They ensure that each side has received a ______
________________ under the law. - correct answer ✔✔Fair hearing
What level of offenses have an automatic right to have their appeal heard? - correct answer
✔✔Serious misdemeanor and above; Simples do not have this right (Supreme court could still
agree to hear it if they want)
, T/F: An associate district or district court can hear appeals from magistrate court. - correct
answer ✔✔True
Once a defendant is taken to jail and processed they must be taken to see a magistrate
__________ _______________ ___________. - correct answer ✔✔without unnecessary delay
(Does not mean 24 hours)
What is it called when an individual 1st appears before the court to answer the charges set
against them? - correct answer ✔✔Initial appearance
What must a defendant be told/ given at an initial appearance? - correct answer ✔✔Advised of
charges, receives a copy of criminal complaint, and advised of their rights.
What rights are advised during an initial appearance? - correct answer ✔✔A. The right to
counsel
B. The right to appointed counsel if they cannot afford one
C. The general circumstances on which they can secure release
D. The right to a bond review
E. The right to remain silent
F. The court shall allow the defendant a reasonable amount of time to secure an attorney
What is a bond? - correct answer ✔✔A financial pledge or obligation made by a defendant to
secure their future attendance in court.
What happens during an initial appearance for a simple misdemeanor? - correct answer ✔✔1.
Defendant enters a plea (For guilty, sentence is issued; for not, court will set it for trial)
