--- title: "John M. Wright | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-m-wright-judge-iowa-judicial-district-8-district-court-ia" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-06" --- # John M. Wright Iowa Judicial District 8 District Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Iowa Judicial District 8 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. ## Biography ### Professional career - John M. Wright is a District 8B judge of the 8th Judicial District Court of Iowa, appointed in 2010 and re‐elected in 2012 and 2018, with a career in law, public service, and local leadership - Private Practice: Partner at Napier, Wright & Wolf in Fort Madison (1994–1997); founded Wright Law Firm; later joined Crowley, Bunger & Wright (2009) ### Education - Drake University Law School in and entered private practice in Fort Madison — J.D. (1990) - in Political Science — University of Iowa — B.A. (1986) ### Additional information - In November 2024, Judge Wright ran for retention as District 8B judge and was on the ballot for voters to decide whether to keep him in office - Appointed by former Iowa Governor Chester J. Culver on September 24, 2010, replacing the retired Hon. - 8th Judicial District Court of Iowa, Department – District 8B, covering 16 counties including Appanoose, Davis, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee North & South, Louisa, Mahaska, Monroe, Poweshiek, Van Buren, Wapello, and Washington. ## 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-8/district-8-judges-and-magistrates) - [Official roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-8/district-8-judges-and-magistrates) - [Iowa Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-8/district-8-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) - [district-8-judges-and-magistrates](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-8/district-8-judges-and-magistrates) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-m-wright-judge-iowa-judicial-district-8-district-court-ia", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-m-wright-judge-iowa-judicial-district-8-district-court-ia", "name": "John M. 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