About
Judge Roberts was appointed to the District Court Bench in 2019. She previously served as a magistrate in Cedar County in 2014-2019. She earned her bachelor's degree from Central College in 2003 and her law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in 2009. She is a member of the…
Retention votes
| Election | Yes | No | Kept by |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 3, 2026 | 63,877 | 24,283 | 72.5% 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
92.2% of 90 responding lawyers said to keep the judge (2026).
| Question | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Knowledge and use of the law | 4.3 |
| Sees the facts of a case clearly | 4.4 |
| On time for court | 4.4 |
| Listens to arguments and testimony | 4.4 |
| Runs the courtroom well | 4.5 |
| Temperament and manner | 4.4 |
| Clear, well-written decisions | 4.4 |
| Rules promptly | 4.4 |
| Uses technology to improve the courts | 4.5 |
| Avoids needless personal criticism | 4.4 |
| Decides on the law and facts, not outside pressure | 4.4 |
| Courteous and patient | 4.5 |
| Treats people equally | 4.5 |
| Fair to people without a lawyer | 4.5 |
| Said to keep the judge | 92.2% |
| Lawyers responding | 90 |
Source: Iowa State Bar Association Judicial Performance Review: 2026 (page 47).
Appeals from this judge’s cases
2 appeals on record; 0 reversed or vacated at least in part.4