Federal Court Rules

Federal courts settle disputes involving federal issues, including civil rights issues, employment discrimination, bankruptcy, and violations of federal criminal law.  If you are appearing before a federal court, you will want to read the relevant federal court rules to learn how you must interact with the court throughout your case. 

The Federal Rules include separate rules for Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Appellate Procedure and Evidence. The Federal court rules are available through the United States Courts website. 

Also check the individual court’s website for local court rules. The U.S. District Courts for the Northern & Southern Iowa Districts have joint local court rules. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit also has local court rules you should consult for appeals from the U.S. District Courts.

Multiple sets of rules may apply to your situation. For example, rules from the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, and the local rules of the Northern & Southern District of Iowa could all apply in a case.