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cl Coralville Law Lawyers · Courts · Iowa Law
★ Independent local guide

Coralville's lawyers are here.
The court isn't.

Coralville has no courthouse. Almost every case touching a Coralville resident — traffic, OWI, divorce, small claims, criminal — runs through the Johnson County Courthouse in Iowa City or the federal courthouse downtown. This site explains the system, the practice areas, and how to find the right local attorney.

The geography of justice

Where Coralville cases actually go

State cases · 95% of matters

Johnson County Courthouse

417 S Clinton St
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 356-6060

Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Handles traffic, OWI, misdemeanors, felonies, small claims, civil suits, family law, probate, and landlord-tenant for all of Johnson County — including Coralville, North Liberty, Tiffin, Solon, and Iowa City.

Full guide →

Federal cases

U.S. District Court — Iowa City

123 E Washington St
Iowa City, IA 52240

Southern District of Iowa
Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Federal criminal, federal civil rights, bankruptcy filings, federal employment, immigration removal proceedings (when held locally), and federal civil suits.

Full guide →

Not legal advice. This site is an independent informational guide. Reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. For advice on your specific situation, hire a licensed Iowa attorney — here's how.
New — Editorial directory

27 Coralville & Iowa City law firms

Browse a curated, editorial directory of prominent Johnson County firms organized by practice area. Four firms with offices in Coralville, sixteen Iowa City firms that serve Coralville clients, and seven regional firms with corridor reach. Addresses, phones, practice areas, and Google ratings where publicly available.

No firm paid for inclusion. Information researched June 2026. Read the methodology →

Browse the directory →
Practice areas

What kind of lawyer do you need?

First questions, plain answers

How Coralville cases work

Is there a courthouse in Coralville?

No. Coralville never built one. All Johnson County state court matters — traffic, criminal, civil, family, probate, small claims — are heard at the Johnson County Courthouse, 417 S Clinton Street in Iowa City. About a 10-minute drive from most of Coralville.

Where do I pay a Coralville traffic ticket?

Three options: online at iowacourts.gov, in person at Coralville City Hall, 1512 7th St (weekdays 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM), or by mail to Clerk of District Court Traffic Violation Office, P.O. Box 2510, Iowa City, IA 52244-2510. Don't ignore it — unpaid citations can become warrants and license suspensions.

What's an OWI in Iowa?

OWI = "Operating While Intoxicated." It's Iowa's name for what other states call DUI or DWI. BAC limits: 0.08% general drivers, 0.04% commercial drivers, 0.02% under 21. First offense is a serious misdemeanor (up to one year in jail, $1,250 minimum fine, 180-day license revocation). See the Iowa OWI law guide.

Can I get free legal help?

Possibly — Iowa Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to qualifying low-income Iowans (housing, family safety, public benefits, consumer). For criminal cases you can't afford a lawyer, the court appoints a public defender. The University of Iowa Law School also runs legal clinics handling some matters for free or low cost.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit?

In Iowa, generally 2 years from the date of injury for most personal injury claims. Some claims have shorter or longer periods (e.g., medical malpractice has its own rules). See the Iowa statute of limitations guide. Don't wait — missing the deadline kills the claim.

How do I find a good Coralville attorney?

Start with the Johnson County Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association find-a-lawyer tool, and word-of-mouth referrals. Most Coralville/Iowa City attorneys offer a free or low-cost initial consultation. Ask about flat fees vs. hourly, who'll actually do the work, and how they communicate. See our how-to-choose guide.

See all 40+ FAQs →

Local procedure

Iowa law for everyday situations

If you can't afford a lawyer

Free & low-cost help

Iowa Legal Aid

Provides free civil legal services to low-income Iowans for housing, family safety, public benefits, and consumer issues. The intake number is (800) 532-1275 or online at iowalegalaid.org. Iowa Legal Aid does not handle criminal cases — for those, the court will appoint a public defender if you qualify.

University of Iowa College of Law clinics

Law student–staffed clinics under faculty supervision. The Civil Rights Project, Immigration Clinic, and Family Practice Clinic handle some matters at no cost. Apply through the U of I College of Law.

Court-appointed counsel

If you're charged with a crime and can't afford a lawyer, the Johnson County Court can appoint a public defender. Indigency is determined by the court — bring proof of income to your initial appearance.

Sister site

Just north? See northlibertylaw.com

If you live in North Liberty — the fast-growing Johnson County suburb on I-380 between Coralville and Cedar Rapids — our sister site northlibertylaw.com covers the same legal landscape with North Liberty–specific context: school-district custody issues (ICCSD vs Clear Creek Amana), I-380 corridor accident patterns, NL Police Department procedures, and new-construction real estate matters.

Same publisher. Same Iowa law. Different local color.

Visit northlibertylaw.com →