Locating the Justice Center and Courthouses
Justice Center
The Justice Center is located at 222 5th Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50309. This is where juvenile court, traffic court, simple misdemeanor court and small claims are handled. The Polk County Attorney's Office is also located here. You can find the entrance to the Justice Center on the east side of the building off of 5th Avenue.
Criminal Courts Building
The Criminal Courts building is located at 110 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50309. This is where most adult criminal proceedings (other than simple misdemeanors and traffic offenses) are handled. The entrance to the Criminal Courts building is located on the east side of the building off of 6th Avenue.
Historic Courthouse
The Historic Courthouse is located at 500 Mulberry St, Des Moines, IA, 50309. This is where most civil matters are handled (other than small claims), and occasionally serves as an overflow for adult criminal court cases. The Historic Courthouse is currently undergoing renovations, so entrances may change. At this time the entrance to the Historic Courthouse is located on the west side of the building off of 6th Avenue.