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Celene Gogerty, the chief judge of Iowa’s most populous judicial district, was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated (OWI) after authorities received multiple reports of a vehicle driving the wrong way on a highway near Des Moines.
The incident occurred Tuesday night when several drivers called 911 to report an SUV traveling south in the northbound lanes of Highway 5. An Iowa State Patrol trooper located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. According to the criminal complaint, Judge Gogerty was identified as the driver. A preliminary breath test indicated her blood alcohol content was .164, more than double the state's legal limit of .08.
Following the stop, details of the OWI charge emerged, showing that Gogerty was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail. She was later released and is scheduled to appear in court. The Iowa Judicial Branch has acknowledged the situation and stated that the matter will proceed through the standard legal process. As chief judge of the 5th Judicial District, a position she has held since 2019, Gogerty is responsible for overseeing court operations and managing dozens of judges and staff in a district that includes the state capital, Des Moines.
Her appointment to the bench was made in 2012 by former Governor Terry Branstad. The arrest has significant implications beyond the criminal charge. Given her high-ranking position, Gogerty now faces a potential judicial disciplinary review by the Iowa Commission on Judicial Qualifications. This independent body investigates allegations of misconduct against judges and can recommend disciplinary actions to the Iowa Supreme Court, which holds the authority to impose sanctions ranging from a public reprimand to removal from the bench.
Gogerty's prominent role as chief judge in the state's busiest jurisdiction adds a layer of public scrutiny to the case. The commission's process is confidential until a formal statement of charges is filed or discipline is recommended to the Supreme Court.
