---
title: "Daryl L. Hecht | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/daryl-l-hecht-4399"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-22"
---

# Daryl L. Hecht

Supreme Court of Iowa · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of Iowa
- State: Iowa
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Supreme Court of Iowa, 2006-present
- Daryl L. Hecht (1952–2019) was an American judge who served on the Iowa Supreme Court from 2006 until his retirement in 2018, and earlier on the Iowa Court of Appeals from 1999 to 2006
- Hecht chaired the Iowa Supreme Court Task Force for Civil Justice Reform, producing a report in 2012
- In 2006, he was elevated to the Iowa Supreme Court, succeeding Chief Justice Louis A. Lavorato

### Education

- University of Virginia School of Law — LL.M. (2004)
- University of South Dakota School of Law in — J.D. (1977)
- B.A. in History and Political Science from Morningside College in 1974
- B.A. — Morningside College in 1974 and his J.D

### Additional information

- He was retained in a 2017 retention election with 64% of the vote
- In 1999, Governor Tom Vilsack appointed him to the Iowa Court of Appeals.
- Born June 25, 1952 in Lytton, Iowa, Hecht grew up on a family farm, developing a strong work ethic.
- Practiced law in Sioux City, Iowa, for 22 years in plaintiff civil litigation, workers’ compensation, and appeals.
- He also served on various boards, including the Boys and Girls Home and Family Services and the Woodbury County Judicial Magistrate Nominating Commission.
- He was a past president of the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association

## 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.courtlistener.com/person/4399/daryl-l-hecht/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4399/daryl-l-hecht/)
- [Supreme Court of Iowa current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4399/daryl-l-hecht/)
- [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)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4399/daryl-l-hecht/)
- [Daryl Hecht - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Daryl_Hecht)

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