LEGAL TERMS

Terms of Service & Editorial Disclaimers

Effective Date: September 18, 2026Dubuque, Iowa

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using Real Dubuque News (https://realdubuque.news), our mobile web applications, push alert services, or RSS/social feeds (collectively, the “Service”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our Service.

2. Public Records & Accuracy Disclaimer

The public safety, criminal arrest, booking photo, court docket, and health inspection records published on Real Dubuque News are obtained from public government authorities in accordance with Iowa Code Chapter 22 (Iowa Open Records Law).

  • Allegations, Not Determinations: Information reflects official records entered by public agencies at the time of publication. An arrest or criminal charge constitutes an allegation only.
  • Presumption of Innocence: Every individual accused of a crime is legally presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
  • Third-Party Record Discrepancies: While Real Dubuque News makes every reasonable effort to ensure data fidelity, we cannot guarantee the complete accuracy or currency of official records originated by government databases.

3. Intellectual Property & Acceptable Use

The original journalism, headlines, analysis, card graphics, formatting, code, and editorial syntheses produced by Real Dubuque News are protected by United States copyright, trademark, and unfair competition laws.

You may share links to our articles and short factual excerpts (fair use) with proper attribution. You may not scrape, mirror, systematically republish, or commercialize our content or automated newsroom feeds without prior written consent from Real Dubuque News.

4. User Submissions & News Tips

Community tips submitted through our confidential tip lines (realdubuque.news/tips) are treated as confidential journalistic leads. By submitting tips, photos, or documents:

  • You warrant that you have the right to provide the material and that it does not infringe on third-party rights.
  • You grant Real Dubuque News an irrevocable, perpetual, royalty-free license to research, verify, and publish the information.
  • Submission of a tip does not guarantee publication or coverage.

5. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Iowa and federal law, Real Dubuque News, its operators, editors, and technical staff shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages resulting from your use of, or inability to use, this Service or the information contained herein.

6. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Iowa, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any legal action arising from these Terms or use of the Service shall be instituted exclusively in the Iowa District Court for Dubuque County or the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa.

7. Contact Information

Inquiries regarding these Terms of Service may be directed to:

Real Dubuque News • Legal Desk
Newsroom Desk: realdubuque.news/tips
Dubuque, Iowa
← Return to Real Dubuque News Homepage