--- title: "Richard D. Wells | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/richard-d-wells-magistrate-iowa-judicial-district-7-district-court-ia" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-06" --- # Richard D. Wells Iowa Judicial District 7 District Court · Magistrate ## Profile - Court: Iowa Judicial District 7 District Court - State: Iowa - Role: Magistrate - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Richard Dean Wells — who held the role of a Clinton County, Michigan District Judge from 1993 until his retirement in 2014 - 1982–1986: Early career: Assistant County Attorney in Scott County - He has also volunteered as a high school mock trial coach/judge and as an attorney for the Scott County Pro Bono Program ### Education - bachelor's — the University of Iowa in 1978 ### Additional information - Private practice: Since 1986, while maintaining his judicial role - He passed away on January 28, 2018 - Professional memberships: Scott County Bar Association (President 1997–98), Iowa State Bar Association, Iowa Association for Justice - He was born in 1941, earned a Pre‐Law degree from Michigan State University (1963) and a J.D. from Wayne State University (1966), and was known for his service on the Michigan Bar Association board for 50 years. - If you are seeking the Iowa judge, the above profile applies. - If you mean the Michigan judge, the obituary and career details in sources provide that information - Wells has held the role of president of the Community Resources Corporation, Bettendorf Community Schools Foundation, and First Presbyterian Church Foundation. ## 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-7/judges-and-magistrates) - [Official roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-7/judges-and-magistrates) - [Iowa Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-7/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) - [judges-and-magistrates](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-7/judges-and-magistrates) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/richard-d-wells-magistrate-iowa-judicial-district-7-district-court-ia", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/richard-d-wells-magistrate-iowa-judicial-district-7-district-court-ia", "name": "Richard D. 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