Jon Scoles
Jon Stuart Scoles was a federal magistrate judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa. He was appointed to this position on March 20, 2007, and was reappointed in 2015. He left judicial service in December of 2016.[1][2]
Early life and education
Scoles was born in 1951 in Charles City, Iowa. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1973, and later earned his J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1979.[1]
Professional career
Prior to beginning his legal career, Scoles worked as a math teacher and coach. After he graduated from law school, Scoles served as a law clerk for judges of the 2A Judicial District of Iowa. At the conclusion of his clerkship, Scoles transitioned to private practice at the law firm of DeVries, Scoles, and Price, where he worked until October 1986. At that time, Scoles was appointed as a judge of the Iowa District Two trial court. Scoles became an assistant chief judge in 1992, and then served as chief judge from February 2005 until the time of his ascension to the federal bench in March 2007.[1]
Judicial career
Northern District of Iowa
Scoles was selected to serve as a federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa by Judges Mark Bennett and Linda Reade.[3] He was officially appointed to the position on March 20, 2007, and was reappointed in 2015. Scoles left judicial service in December of 2016.[4][5]
Noteworthy cases
Judge finds probable cause exists in Meskwaki machete murders (2014)
- See also: United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa (U.S. v. Lasley)
- See also: United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa (U.S. v. Lasley)
On March 13, 2014, Judge Scoles found that there was probable cause to proceed in the murder trial of Gordon Lasley, Jr., a Meskwaki tribe member who was accused of killing his parents with a machete. Evidence was given at the probable cause hearing by FBI Special Agent Scott Irwin, who testified that Lasley was detained with blood on his hands. An assistant county attorney noted during the hearing that Lasley, who had been in trouble with the previously, had failed to appear for court dates in the past and been found in contempt of court on other criminal charges.[6]
Judge Scoles further ruled that Lasley was to remain in custody pending trial due to the violent nature of the crime of which he was accused:[6]
| “ | Here there is strong evidence the defendant hacked his parents to death. That's obviously an indication of the seriousness and the danger to the community.[7] | ” |
See also
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
- United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Northern District of Iowa, "Biography of Chief Magistrate Judge Jon Stuart Scoles," accessed May 31, 2014
- ↑ Sioux City Journal, "New federal magistrate judge seated in Sioux City," January 17, 2017
- ↑ Globe Gazette, "Judge Scoles in line for federal magistrate," October 17, 2006
- ↑ Northern District of Iowa, "Administrative Order," March 20, 2007
- ↑ United States Courts, "The Third Branch: Judicial Milestones," March 20, 2007
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 WCF Courier, "Judge rules probable cause to proceed with murder charges against Lasley," March 13, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
Federal courts:
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa
State courts:
Iowa Supreme Court • Iowa Court of Appeals • Iowa district courts
State resources:
Courts in Iowa • Iowa judicial elections • Judicial selection in Iowa
