Q.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTENANCE AND SNOW REMOVAL ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF
A HOME OR BUSINESS?
A.
Responsibility falls on the abutting property owner as stated in the Municipal
Code, 102-42, "Maintenance of Sidewalks", and , "Removal of Snow
and Ice From Sidewalks", sections 102-12 through 102-136. Search the
CITY CODE.
Q. I TRIMMED MY NEIGHBOR'S
TREE THAT WAS HANGING OVER ONTO MY PROPERTY AND HE'S UPSET. WHAT CAN I DO?
A.
The city plays no role in neighborhood disputes, but there is a program that might
be able to help. Call Neighborhood Mediation - (515) 286-3057
Q.
A TREE ON THE CITY'S RIGHT-OF-WAY IS DEAD OR DYING. WHO DO I CALL?
A. Call the City's Forestry
Department - (515) 283-4194
Q.
I HAVE A LANDLORD/TENANT DISPUTE QUESTION.
A.
The city plays no role in landlord/ tenant disputes, but there is a program that
might be able to help. Call Home Incorporated - (515) 243-1277
Q. I'VE
BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIME OR RECEIVED A TRAFFIC TICKET. I WANT TO KNOW WHEN AND
WHERE TO GO TO COURT. HOW DO I FIND OUT?
A.
The Polk County Clerk of Court is the custodian of criminal and traffic records.
For information, please call: Criminal - (515) 286-3765. Traffic - (515) 286-3920.
The Clerk of Court is located in the Polk County Courthouse at the west end of
Court Avenue in downtown Des Moines.
Q. I'VE BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIME.
HOW CAN I TALK TO THE PROSECUTOR?
A.
The City prosecutes only municipal misdemeanors, including violations of the City
Traffic Code committed inside the Des Moines City limits. If your court
documents reference a Des Moines City ordinance, then you may call the City's
Prosecutor - (515) 283-4532. If your court documents do not reference a Des Moines
City ordinance, then you probably need to call the Polk County Attorney's Office
- (515) 286-3737, or the prosecutor for the city where you received the ticket.
Q. I HAVE A SUBPOENA TO APPEAR AS A WITNESS IN TRAFFIC COURT. DO I HAVE TO
APPEAR? HOW MUCH WILL I GET PAID?
A.
Yes, you are required to appear. Please bring your copy of the subpoena with you
as you will receive a witness fee of $5.00 plus 24 cents a mile. Any further questions
involving witness fee payments are usually directed to the clerk in the Traffic
Court office - (515) 286- 3920.
Q.
WHO CAN I TALK TO REGARDING POLICE MISCONDUCT?
A.
Office of Professional Standards - (515) 283-4816
LEGAL
REPRESENTATION
Q.
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY LANDLORD OR MY NEIGHBOR OR MY EMPLOYER OR MY SPOUSE OR
MY EX-SPOUSE. I NEED SOME LEGAL ADVICE. CAN YOU HELP ME?
A.
We're sorry, but no, in this instance we can't help you. The City Attorney's office
represents the City and City employees in matters related to their City employment.
We can't represent private parties or give them legal advice. The Iowa State Bar
Association oversees a lawyer referral service. Call (515) 280-7429 if you would
like to use the lawyer referral service. You might also try the Legal Aid Society
of Polk County - (515) 243-1193, or the Legal Services Corporation of Iowa - (515)
243-2151.
Q.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CITY ATTORNEY, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL, AND THE U.S. ATTORNEY?
A.
The City Attorney and the City Attorney's office represent the City and
City employees in matters related to their City employment. The County Attorney
and
the County Attorney's office represent the County and County
employees. In addition, the Criminal Bureau of the County Attorney's office prosecutes
all State crime violations in Polk County. The Attorney General's office represents
the State of Iowa and its employees and the many State agencies. The United States
Attorney represents the United States and its employees and prosecutes criminal
cases in the United States District Court.
HOUSING,
ZONING AND OTHER CITY ORDINANCES
Q.
I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT HOUSING CODE ENFORCEMENT OR ZONING CODE ENFORCEMENT. WHO
CAN I TALK TO?
A.
For Housing questions, please call (515) 283-4787. For Zoning questions, please
call (515) 283-4207.
Q.
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT A CITY ORDINANCE MEANS. CAN YOU HELP ME?
A.
The City department charged with the day-to-day administration and enforcement
of an ordinance can answer general questions regarding how the ordinances
are applied by the City. If the department is unable to answer your question,
it can refer you to the city attorney with expertise in the particular area involved.
While we can't give you legal advice, we will try to help in any way we can. Search
the CITY
CODE.
Q.
HOW CAN I GET A COPY OF A CITY ORDINANCE?
A.
You can view the City Code at the City Clerk's office on the 2nd floor of City
Hall , 400 Robert D.Ray Drive in downtown Des Moines. City Hall is just north
of the Embassy Suites Hotel on the east side of the Des Moines river. You can
also find a copy of the City Code at any City Library. Soon the City Code will
be available on-line. Search the CITY
CODE.
