--- title: "Thomas J. Straka | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-j-straka-associate-juvenile-judge-iowa-judicial-district-1-district-court-ia" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Thomas J. Straka Iowa Judicial District 1 District Court · Associate Juvenile Judge ## Profile - Court: Iowa Judicial District 1 District Court - State: Iowa - Role: Associate Juvenile 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-1/judges-and-magistrates-district-1) - [Official roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-1/judges-and-magistrates-district-1) - [Iowa Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-1/judges-and-magistrates-district-1) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-j-straka-associate-juvenile-judge-iowa-judicial-district-1-district-court-ia", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-j-straka-associate-juvenile-judge-iowa-judicial-district-1-district-court-ia", "name": "Thomas J. 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Straka is an Associate Juvenile Judge for District 1A of the Iowa First Judicial District, serving since 2006 and re‐elected in 2014 and 2020 - Associate Juvenile Judge for the 1st Judicial District Court of Iowa, Department – District 1A, which covers Allamakee, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Grundy, Howard, and Winneshiek counties - His judicial service spans over two decades, with a focus on juvenile justice in Iowa’s First Judicial District ### Education ### Additional information - He joined the bench in 2006 and retained in 2014 and 2020 - Before joining the judiciary, Judge Straka practiced law primarily in family and criminal matters and served in various bar association leadership roles. ## 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.