---
title: "Steven J. Holwerda | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-j-holwerda-district-associate-judge-iowa-judicial-district-5-district-court-ia"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Steven J. Holwerda

Iowa Judicial District 5 District Court · District Associate Judge

## Profile

- Court: Iowa Judicial District 5 District Court
- State: Iowa
- Role: District Associate Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- District Associate Judge for Iowa Judicial District 5, serving in Jasper County, Iowa, since 2013, with prior service as Jasper County Magistrate from 2010
- Appointed as District Associate Judge for Iowa Judicial District 5 (also referred to as District 5A in some listings)

### Education

- Valparaiso University School of Law — J.D. (1983)

### Additional information

- Studies at Dordt College (1979).
- Worked in private practice in Newton until judicial appointment.
- He presides over cases in Jasper County and other jurisdictions within the district, applying Iowa’s state court rules and procedures

## 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-5/judges-and-magistrates)
- [Official roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-5/judges-and-magistrates)
- [Iowa Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-5/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)
- [Governor of Iowa - Joy Messer appointment](https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/2026-09-03/gov-reynolds-appoints-joy-messer-district-associate-judge)
- [Steven J. Holwerda | Iowa Judicial Branch](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-5/judges-and-magistrates/steven-j-holwerda)

## JSON-LD

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-j-holwerda-district-associate-judge-iowa-judicial-district-5-district-court-ia",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-j-holwerda-district-associate-judge-iowa-judicial-district-5-district-court-ia",
      "name": "Steven J. Holwerda | KnowJudges",
      "description": "Steven J. Holwerda, Iowa Judicial District 5 District Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.",
      "dateModified": "2026-10-07",
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website"
      },
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-j-holwerda-district-associate-judge-iowa-judicial-district-5-district-court-ia#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-j-holwerda-district-associate-judge-iowa-judicial-district-5-district-court-ia#judge",
      "name": "Steven J. Holwerda",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-j-holwerda-district-associate-judge-iowa-judicial-district-5-district-court-ia",
      "jobTitle": "District Associate Judge",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "Iowa Judicial District 5 District Court"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-5/judges-and-magistrates"
      ],
      "alumniOf": [
        {
          "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
          "name": "Dordt College"
        },
        {
          "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
          "name": "Valparaiso University School of Law"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "KnowJudges",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Iowa",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/iowa"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Steven J. Holwerda",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-j-holwerda-district-associate-judge-iowa-judicial-district-5-district-court-ia"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```