Iowa’s court system works for all Iowans. Our Judicial Branch:
• Enforces criminal laws.
• Resolves civil legal disputes, thus maintaining a stable and robust business environment.
• Resolves family law disputes, including child custody, paternity and child support.
• Protects victims of domestic violence by issuing protective orders to help shield them from further violence.
• Protects vulnerable elders by issuing protective orders to prohibit further harm, which could include sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.
• Keeps families together through a system of family treatment courts that help parents get off drugs.
•Addresses juvenile delinquency through oversight and programming for children in need of guidance.
The list goes on. It is not easy work, but dedicated court employees do an outstanding job. To continue providing these services for the benefit of all Iowans, SF 496 gives the Judicial Branch the money necessary to maintain current services. Our plan provides the dollars needed to keep clerks of court offices open full time and avoid prolonged delays of trials and hearings. This is the justice Iowans deserve.
The House Republicans, on the other hand, do not provide any increase in funding to help our courts continue providing services that are so desperately needed and constitutionally required. Successful programs that keep families together, keep people off drugs and set kids on the right path could all be cut if the House proposal for funding the courts becomes law.
