--- title: "Eric J. Nelson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/eric-j-nelson-judge-iowa-judicial-district-4-district-court-ia" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Eric J. Nelson Iowa Judicial District 4 District Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Iowa Judicial District 4 District Court - State: Iowa - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/eric-j-nelson-judge-iowa-judicial-district-4-district-court-ia", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/eric-j-nelson-judge-iowa-judicial-district-4-district-court-ia", "name": "Eric J. 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Nelson", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/eric-j-nelson-judge-iowa-judicial-district-4-district-court-ia" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - District Court Judge — 4th Judicial District (2018–present) - District Court Judge for Iowa’s 4th Judicial District, appointed in 2018 and later reappointed in 2023, with a background in private practice and public defense - Associate Judge — 4th Judicial District Court of Iowa (2018) - Before joining the judiciary, Nelson worked in private legal practice (2006–2010) and then served in the Iowa Public Defender’s Office until his appointment to the bench ### Education ### Additional information - Initially appointed in December 2018 by Governor Terry Branstad and later reappointed in 2023 by Governor Kim Reynolds to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Gregory W. Steensland - 4th Judicial District Court of Iowa, which covers Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby counties. - He is also a member of the Iowa Judges Association and the 4th Judicial District Bar Association ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure, official September 30, 2026 collection](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-0095feb1b1da55bd07a559b3) — Civil proceedings in Iowa District Courts; specialized proceedings and statutory exceptions remain applicable. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CourtRulesChapter/09-30-2026.1.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.