Scammers, falsely claiming to be from law enforcement or the Iowa Judicial Branch, are becoming more prevalent, more sophisticated, and more aggressive. The scammers use email, phone calls, and official looking documents sent through the U.S. mail to threaten people with legal action for unpaid fines, missed jury service, and arrest warrants.
The Iowa Judicial Branch does not issue official court communications by text or telephone calls or ask the recipient to send money, request a social security number, direct the recipient to call a certain phone number, purchase a prepaid money card, or advise the recipient to link to a website.
Scammers also send text messages that appear to come from the Iowa Judicial Branch and use a sitting judge’s name. The messages claim the recipient missed a court date and now owes money or has a warrant issued for their arrest or both.
A variation of the scam involves notices sent to the victim stating that there is a warrant for his or her arrest because the victim did not show up for jury duty. The notice includes a telephone number to call. According to reports, the person who answers the phone falsely claims to be with a local law enforcement agency and tells the victims that he or she can pay a fine to avoid arrest.
If you receive calls or notices like these, DO NOT follow the instructions given. More detailed information is available on the Judicial Branch website.
On June 16 the Iowa Supreme Court appointed the Honorable Jeffrey D. Bert and the Honorable David Nelmark to the Business Court created by Senate File 639. Their appointments are effective September 1.
On June 10 Chief Justice Christensen signed an order appointing Chief Juvenile Court Officer David Schmiedt to the Judicial Technology Committee for a three-year term.
The Iowa Supreme Court has approved $1,226,592 in grants to non-profit programs that provide legal assistance to low-income Iowans with civil legal problems. The court awarded grants to fourteen different organizations throughout Iowa. The grants are funded by the Interest on Lawyers' Trust Account (IOLTA) program. With this year's grants, the Supreme Court has awarded more than $30 million in IOLTA grants since the program began on July 1, 1985. Learn more on the judicial branch website.
Visit the Iowa Judicial Branch website
Visit the Iowa Bar Blog for more news.
