The Iowa Supreme Court is expected to release opinions in two cases Friday, February 26, 2021. Below are On Brief’s previously published summaries of the cases. Go to On Brief’s Cases in the Pipeline page to read briefs filed with the Court in the app …
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Traffic stop is justified if ‘common sense’ suggests driver violated cell phone law, Iowa Supreme Court rules
A law-enforcement officer’s “common sense” observation that a person might be illegally using a cell phone while driving is reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle for further investigation, the Iowa Supreme Court said in a decision handed down Feb. 19.
The Court’s divided 4-3 decision in read more
Opinions in five cases to be handed down by Iowa Supreme Court Friday
The Iowa Supreme Court is expected to release opinions in five cases Friday, February 19, 2021. Below are On Brief’s previously published summaries of four of these cases. Go to On Brief’s Cases in the Pipeline page to read briefs filed with the Court in the a …
Iowa Supreme Court set to hear arguments in nine cases Tuesday and Wednesday
The Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in nine cases Feb. 16 and 17, and five additional cases will be submitted to the Court. Following are brief summaries of the February cases. Go to On Brief’s Cases in the Pipeline page to read briefs in these cases …
Legislative act barring pro se briefs does not cross constitutional line, Iowa Supreme Court rules
Legislation enacted by the Iowa General Assembly that prohibits defendants who are represented by legal counsel from filing appellate briefs on their own behalf does not violate the Iowa Constitution’s separation of legislative and judicial powers, the Iowa Supreme Court has narrowly held.
In a 4-3 read more
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Iowa Supreme Court finds that Iowa statute limiting reimbursement for privately retained counsel does not violate Sixth Amendment
Under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution, a defendant has the right to effective assistance of counsel. This right includes an entitlement to reasonably necessary ancillary services paid at state expenses, including where the defendant is represented by court-appointed counsel. Iowa Code Section 815.1 – …
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirms dismissal of former City of Cedar Falls employee’s claims against the city
Michelle Brandt, a long-time Cedar Falls city employee, brought claims against the city and several employees stemming from her time working for the city as well as her termination in 2018. Brandt brought claims for interference with and retaliation for her exercise of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) rights, and claims …
Iowa Supreme Court’s splintered abortion ruling: Four opinions covering 182 pages
The Iowa Supreme Court’s June 17 ruling overturning its 2018 decision that recognized a fundamental right to abortion under the Iowa Constitution did more than overturn that four-year-old precedent.
The Court, in four separate op …
Was a real estate agent liable when a prospective buyer fell on an icy driveway? The Iowa Supreme Court says no
The Iowa Supreme Court held that a seller’s real estate agent was not liable for a potential buyer’s injuries suffered when visiting a home listed for sale in a decision handed down June 10.
Amanda DeSousa was getting out of a vehicle …
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On Brief: Iowa’s Appellate Blog is devoted to appellate litigation with a focus on the Iowa Supreme Court, the Iowa Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.