District court, Judicial District 2
Joseph B. McCarville
District Associate Judge · District 2B
About
Judge Joseph B. McCarville works primarily in Calhoun, Carroll, Greene, and Sac Counties. He was appointed to the bench in 2017. In 1985, he earned his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University. In 1989, he graduated from Iowa Law School with his Juris Doctorate Degree. He worked in private practice…
Retention votes
| Election | Yes | No | Kept by |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 5, 2024 | 71,090 | 29,330 | 70.8% yes |
What lawyers said
Before each retention vote, the Iowa State Bar Association asks lawyers who’ve appeared before the judge to rate them from 1 (very poor) to 5 (excellent), and whether the judge should be kept.3
91.9% of 37 responding lawyers said to keep the judge (2024).
| Question | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Knowledge and use of the law | 4.0 |
| Sees the facts of a case clearly | 4.0 |
| On time for court | 4.3 |
| Listens to arguments and testimony | 4.2 |
| Runs the courtroom well | 4.2 |
| Temperament and manner | 4.2 |
| Clear, well-written decisions | 3.9 |
| Rules promptly | 4.4 |
| Uses technology to improve the courts | 4.1 |
| Avoids needless personal criticism | 4.3 |
| Decides on the law and facts, not outside pressure | 4.2 |
| Courteous and patient | 4.3 |
| Treats people equally | 4.3 |
| Fair to people without a lawyer | 4.3 |
| Said to keep the judge | 91.9% |
| Lawyers responding | 37 |
Source: Iowa State Bar Association Judicial Performance Review: 2024 (page 30).
Appeals from this judge’s cases
1 appeal on record; 0 reversed or vacated at least in part.4
- Criminal appeal No. 23-0434AI summary The defendant challenged his conviction for third-degree theft, arguing that certain hearsay statements should not have been used and that his sentencing should not have been conducted remotely without his consent. The court affirmed the previous decisions of …