---
title: "Sara Davenport | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sara-davenport-judge-iowa-judicial-district-7-district-court-ia"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Sara Davenport

Iowa Judicial District 7 District Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Iowa Judicial District 7 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.

## 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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- The 27th U.S. District Judge in New Mexico since statehood in 1912
- Commission & Oath: Received judicial commission and sworn in by Senior Judge Robert C. Brack on January 13, 2025
- Sarah M. Davenport is a U.S. District Judge for the , confirmed by the Senate in December 2024 and sworn in on January 13, 2025
- 2006–2008: Law clerk in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Albuquerque, NM
- U.S. District Judge for the , with chambers in Las Cruces

### Education

- University of New Mexico School of Law in — J.D. (2006)
- Bachelor of Music from New Mexico State University in 1998

### Additional information

- 2009–2025: Assistant U.S. Attorney for the , Las Cruces, later a Supervisory AUSA since 2022
- Nomination: President Joe Biden nominated her on August 28, 2024, to fill the seat vacated by Judge William P. Johnson
- Senate Process: Nomination sent to the Senate on September 9, 2024
- Judiciary Committee hearing on September 25; reported out 11–10 on November 21; cloture on December 4, 2024
- 2008–2009: Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Las Cruces, NM
- Sarah Beth Morgan Davenport was born in 1976 in Hobbs, New Mexico



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure, official September 30, 2026 collection](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-0095feb1b1da55bd07a559b3) — 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](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CourtRulesChapter/09-30-2026.1.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.
