Michael D. Hooper at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Iowa · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michael D. Hooper
Biography
Professional career
- This is a nonpartisan vote where voters decide whether he continues to serve as District 4 Judge
Education
- BA in Sociology — University of Nebraska at Omaha
Additional information
- District Court Judge for Iowa’s 4th Judicial District, appointed in January 2019, and is currently running for retention in the 2026 election
- Judge Hooper is on the ballot for retention in the November 3, 2026 Iowa retention election.
- Joined the bench in January 2019 Iowa Judicial Branch
- Before joining the judiciary, Hooper held the role of Cass County Attorney and worked in private practice as a criminal defense attorney.
- His judicial work includes handling a range of cases within the district’s jurisdiction, with a background in criminal defense influencing his approach
- His legal career reflects a focus on defense work and public service at the county level
- Iowa District Court, Judicial District 4, which covers Cass County and surrounding areas.
- He belongs to the Iowa Bar Association and the 4th District Bar Association.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Iowa prohibits broadcasting, recording, photographing, texting, blogging, or tweeting real-time courtroom coverage unless the presiding judicial officer permits it in advance.
prohibited unless the presiding judicial officer expressly permits coverage in advanceIowa Judicial Branch: Expanded News Media Coverage ↗
Presiding Judge Discretion
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.
The judge shall allow expanded news media coverage unless the judge concludesIowa Judicial Branch: Expanded News Media Coverage ↗
Electronic Devices For Media
Statewide
Iowa Chapter 25 requires approval before using electronic devices for photography, video recording, audio recording, or streaming video in a courtroom.
Electronic devices for photography, video recording, audio recording, or streaming video may not be usedChapter 25 Rules for Expanded News Media Coverage ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure, official September 30, 2026 collection
Iowa Judicial District 4 District Court
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Iowa Judicial Branch official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Iowa Judicial Branch official judicial roster ↗Iowa Judicial Branch: Expanded News Media Coverage
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Iowa Judicial Branch: Expanded News Media Coverage ↗Chapter 25 Rules for Expanded News Media Coverage
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Chapter 25 Rules for Expanded News Media Coverage ↗