--- title: "Craig M. Dreismeier | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/craig-m-dreismeier-district-associate-judge-iowa-judicial-district-4-district-court-ia" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Craig M. Dreismeier Iowa Judicial District 4 District Court · Chief Judge ## Profile - Court: Iowa Judicial District 4 District Court - State: Iowa - Role: Chief Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Chief Judge, Fourth Judicial District, Iowa since July 2, 2024, following the retirement of Chief Judge Jeffrey Larson - Selected Chief Judge of the Fourth Judicial District July 2, 2024 - Craig M. Dreismeier is the Chief Judge of Iowa’s Fourth Judicial District, appointed in 2018 and elevated to Chief Judge in 2024, with a career spanning private practice, public service, and judicial leadership - Appointed District Court Judge October 19, 2018 - District Associate Judge from December 30, 2010, until his appointment - Worked as Assistant Pottawattamie County Attorney (1995-1996) ### Education - Creighton University School of Law — J.D. (1992) - Studies at University of Nebraska-Omaha (1989). ### Additional information - Worked in private practice in southwest Iowa, 1992-2010. - Serves as a District Court Judge for Judicial District 4, which covers parts of southwest Iowa, including Pottawattamie, Mills, and surrounding counties - Known for applying statutory language and precedent in appellate decisions - Docket Audit scores his recent opinions at a 91% lifetime “PASS” rating for fidelity to the rule of law ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### recording photography streaming Scope: statewide Iowa prohibits broadcasting, recording, photographing, texting, blogging, or tweeting real-time courtroom coverage unless the presiding judicial officer permits it in advance. Evidence excerpt: prohibited unless the presiding judicial officer expressly permits coverage in advance [Iowa Judicial Branch: Expanded News Media Coverage](https://www.iowacourts.gov/newsroom/expanded-news-media-coverage) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### presiding judge discretion Scope: statewide Iowa's expanded news media coverage framework requires approval, but the judge should allow coverage unless it would materially interfere with protected interests or the proceeding. Evidence excerpt: The judge shall allow expanded news media coverage unless the judge concludes [Iowa Judicial Branch: Expanded News Media Coverage](https://www.iowacourts.gov/newsroom/expanded-news-media-coverage) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### electronic devices for media Scope: statewide Iowa Chapter 25 requires approval before using electronic devices for photography, video recording, audio recording, or streaming video in a courtroom. Evidence excerpt: Electronic devices for photography, video recording, audio recording, or streaming video may not be used [Chapter 25 Rules for Expanded News Media Coverage](https://www.iowacourts.gov/static/media/cms/25_2_44097B6A827DC.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-4/judges-and-magistrates) - [Official roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-4/judges-and-magistrates) - [Iowa Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-4/judges-and-magistrates) - [Iowa Judicial Branch: Expanded News Media Coverage](https://www.iowacourts.gov/newsroom/expanded-news-media-coverage) - [Chapter 25 Rules for Expanded News Media Coverage](https://www.iowacourts.gov/static/media/cms/25_2_44097B6A827DC.pdf) - [Craig M. Dreismeier | Iowa Judicial Branch](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-4/judges-and-magistrates/craig-m-dreismeier) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/craig-m-dreismeier-district-associate-judge-iowa-judicial-district-4-district-court-ia", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/craig-m-dreismeier-district-associate-judge-iowa-judicial-district-4-district-court-ia", "name": "Craig M. Dreismeier | KnowJudges", "description": "Craig M. Dreismeier, Iowa Judicial District 4 District Court. 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