--- title: "Mary Ann Brown | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-ann-brown-chief-judge-iowa-judicial-district-8-district-court-ia" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Mary Ann Brown Iowa Judicial District 8 District Court · Senior Judge ## Profile - Court: Iowa Judicial District 8 District Court - State: Iowa - Role: Senior Judge - Service status: senior - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Retired senior judge who held the role of Chief Judge of Iowa’s 8th Judicial District, District 8B, from 2012 until her retirement in December 2021 - Appointed in 2012 as Chief Judge of the Eighth Judicial District - Joined the Iowa District Court in 2001 and became Chief Judge of District 8B in 2012 - Prosecutor, Des Moines County Attorney’s Office until 1990 - Private practice in Burlington, Iowa, with Barren, Schulte, Hahn, Swanson & Brown - Civil Justice Reform Task Force ### Education - Drake University Law School — J.D. (1984) - Drake University — B.A. (1981) ### Additional information - Received an appointment to bench in 2001. - She was honored in 2000 with the Iowa Bar Association’s Community Service Award - General private practice in Burlington. - Middletown City Attorney. - Current service classified as Senior Judge. - Now listed as a Senior Judge in the Iowa Judicial Branch’s records Iowa Judicial Branch - Known for her extensive service in public defense, prosecution, and judicial leadership - She is a past member of the Iowa Judges Association, Iowa State Bar Association, and Des Moines County Bar 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.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) - [Iowa Judicial Branch - Judicial District 8 Judges and Magistrates](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-8/district-8-judges-and-magistrates) - [Mary Ann Brown | Iowa Judicial Branch](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-8/district-8-judges-and-magistrates/mary-ann-brown) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-ann-brown-chief-judge-iowa-judicial-district-8-district-court-ia", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-ann-brown-chief-judge-iowa-judicial-district-8-district-court-ia", "name": "Mary Ann Brown | KnowJudges", "description": "Mary Ann Brown, Iowa Judicial District 8 District Court. 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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.