Iowa Code Title XVI. Criminal Law and Procedure [Chs. 687-916] § 809.4. Hearing--appeal

An application for the return of seized property shall be set for hearing not less than five nor more than thirty days after the filing of the application and shall be tried to the court. All claims to the same property shall be heard in one proceeding unless it is shown that the proceeding would result in prejudice to one or more of the parties. If the total value of the property sought to be returned is less than five thousand dollars, the proceeding may be conducted by a magistrate or a district associate judge with appeal to be as in the case of small claims. In all other cases, the hearing shall be conducted by a district judge, with appeal as provided in section 809.12A.