Protagonist for the people

My name is Nick Maybanks and I’m running for the office of Linn County Attorney.  I was born in Cedar Rapids and other than when I was pursuing higher education, I’ve lived here my whole life. I brought my wife here and this is where we are raising our two daughters, now ages 11 and 10.  Linn County will always be my home. 

I was raised by two educators in a tiny home on a hill in NW Cedar Rapids.  My dad dedicated his career to helping people achieve their educational potential through the Kirkwood Adult Education Program and then the Iowa Medical Classification Center, a minimum security prison at Oakdale Campus in Coralville.  He instilled in me a sense of obligation to helping those in need through public service. 

The other teacher who raised me, my mother, left her profession early on to stay at home and raise three boys, while working in the preschool and daycare field.  She dedicated her life to making sure we had the best childhood we could.  She instilled in me the value of commitment to family as well as my fierce love and loyalty to my family and zealousness for the protection of children. 

I graduated from LaSalle High School in Cedar Rapids and attended Loras College in Dubuque where I obtained a BA in Psychology and a Minor in Criminal Justice before graduating from Drake Law School in Des Moines with my J.D. in 2000. 

I contemplated other career paths through college but ultimately was drawn into what I first decided to do as a profession when I was a youngster: I wanted to be a lawyer.  I knew I wanted to fight on behalf of people who were wronged, either by an injustice perpetrated upon them, or an injustice brought about by the system.  I wanted to be an advocate for the people.

After graduating law school, I knew I wanted to serve the community that raised me, the place that held the precious memories of my childhood and such amazing potential for the future. Fortune allowed me the opportunity to take a job as an Assistant Linn County Attorney prosecuting crimes on behalf of the State of Iowa and my community.  I quickly realized that the yearning I had to advocate for the people was the fight prosecutors wage on behalf of victims of crime, domestic abuse victims and child abuse victims every day.  I quickly realized that the cause for equal justice can be easily and effectively waged, when you are part of the system as opposed to fighting it from the outside.  I have been blessed that prosecuting has become my life’s work.  I have been a trial attorney, criminal prosecutor, protector of public safety, supporter of law enforcement, advocate for victims and protagonist for justice.

Prosecution is the most influential position in the criminal justice system.  I’m proud that I’ve been able to do such an important job, done it respectfully and professionally and made a positive difference in people’s lives.  A prosecutor’s only job, our only client, our only loyalty, is to do justice.  The best part of my job is that I’ve been able to perform this role for my hometown and the community where my kids will spend their childhood and will be able to create the same fond memories as I did so many years ago.

September of 2021 marked my 21st year with the Linn County Attorney's Office.  I’ve prosecuted nearly every kind of criminal case.  I’ve prosecuted cases on behalf of thousands of victims, worked with hundreds of police officers, investigators and law enforcement.  I have had the honor and privilege bestowed upon me to prosecute the most high profile cases this community has seen over the years, including most recently, the cold case involving the homicide of Michelle Martinko in 1979 at Westdale Mall, and with the assistance and teamwork of colleagues, we’ve achieved justice of the highest order for this community.  I’ve had bestowed upon me the honor of statewide awards for my service as a prosecutor and for excellence in the protection of children.  I’ve been able to craft legislation that has passed through the Iowa legislature and been signed by the Governor that makes our community safer. 

Recent incidents involving multiple shootings, serious injury and death show that there is more work to do to keep our community safe and peaceful and only convince me more that the primary focus of our office needs to be on the prosecution of violent crime, my specialty.  I am ready to take the experience I’ve gained as a public servant and the knowledge I’ve collected over the years to both protect this community and implement new practical and pragmatic ideas and reforms that are overdue in our criminal justice system so we can truly focus on what matters, keeping our community safe and making people's lives better.  I am excited for what we can do moving forward.

With me as the next Linn County Attorney, you get the best of both worlds, experience and forward-thinking, someone who is tough and reasonable, a protector of public safety and a protagonist for the people.

Cases and accomplishments