Iowa Supreme Court Removes Magistrate Over Inappropriate Judicial Conduct

Iowa Supreme Court Removes Magistrate Over Inappropriate Judicial Conduct

In In re Magistrate Hanson (No. 24–2030), the Iowa Supreme Court ordered the removal of Judicial Magistrate David Hanson following findings of serious judicial misconduct stemming from two separate incidents involving inappropriate statements—one in a written order and another in open court.

The disciplinary case arose after the Iowa Commission on Judicial Qualifications received two complaints. In the first, Magistrate Hanson denied a warrant in a sexual assault case involving a teenage victim. His written order included personal commentary, stereotypes about male victims, and graphic sexual language that the Court found undermined the impartiality expected of a judge. In the second incident, Magistrate Hanson used a racial slur in open court while referring to a Hispanic defendant, and made unsubstantiated comments about identity theft.

The Commission recommended a 90-day suspension and mandatory training. However, the Iowa Supreme Court determined that removal was appropriate. The Court emphasized that a judge’s conduct must reflect impartiality, integrity, and public confidence in the judiciary. Hanson’s comments—combined with his lack of remorse or recognition of the seriousness of his actions—led the Court to conclude that he was unfit to continue serving.

The case underscores the high ethical standards judges must meet and the judiciary’s responsibility to safeguard public trust. The Court noted that Hanson’s pattern of conduct, including failure to acknowledge wrongdoing, reflected an inability to uphold those standards.