---
title: "Mary Ellen Perkins | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-ellen-perkins-7288"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Mary Ellen Perkins

Judicial Magistrate · Historical service · Iowa Judicial District 5 District Court

## Profile

- Court: Iowa Judicial District 5 District Court
- State: Iowa
- Role: Judicial Magistrate · Historical service
- Service status: historical / current service unconfirmed
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Perkins spent the majority of her legal career in private practice after graduating from law school in 1987

### Education



### Additional information

- Served as a Guthrie County judicial magistrate in Iowa Judicial District 5.
- Current service and the end date are unconfirmed.
- She is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, Guthrie County Bar Association, and Dallas 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.courtlistener.com/person/7288/mary-ellen-perkins/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7288/mary-ellen-perkins/)
- [CourtListener historical judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7288/mary-ellen-perkins/)
- [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/7288/mary-ellen-perkins/)

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## Current judicial service unconfirmed

Historical Guthrie County magistrate service is documented; current service and end date are not established. Display historical affiliation, not a current appellate seat.

- Iowa Judicial District 5 District Court — Judicial Magistrate · Historical service


Served as a Guthrie County judicial magistrate in Iowa Judicial District 5. Current service and the end date are unconfirmed.