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 …
read moreLegislative 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
Decisions expected from Iowa Supreme Court in two cases Friday
The Iowa Supreme Court is expected to release opinions in two cases Friday, February 5, 2021. Below are On Brief’s previously published summaries of these cases. Go to On Brief’s Cases in the Pipeline page to read briefs filed with the Court in these appeals.
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Eighth Circuit wades into dispute over when public officials may “block” their constituents on Twitter
This week, the Eighth Circuit held that a constituent who was “blocked” on Twitter by the account of a Missouri state legislator could not maintain a claim against that public official for violation of his First Amendment rights. In Campbell v. Repre …
read moreMan deserves day in court to avoid losing his home over $220 delinquent tax bill, Iowa Supreme Court rules
A Jan. 22 ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court means a Waterloo man may not lose his home for failure to pay a $220 property tax bill.
Cornell Hoosman’s home was sold at tax sale for failure to pay $220 in property taxes to Black Hawk County, and he was served with a removal order after a district judge entered a default j …
read moreWith Wagner, the Iowa Supreme Court continues building an “Iowa Courts” jurisprudence
Few law school courses inspire more fear and frustration from students than Federal Courts. A standard elective at most law schools, the course’s prosaic name belies a devilishly complex body of law regarding who can sue whom in federal court, and for what. One Federal Courts professor asked rhetorically in a 2001 read more
Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in eight appeals Wednesday and Thursday
The Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in eight appeals Wednesday and Thursday. Six other cases will be submitted to the Court this week without oral argument.
The arguments will be in the Supreme Court courtroom with the option of participating remotely. Livestreamed videos of the arguments can be seen on the C …
read moreIowa Supreme Court selects Chief Justice Susan Christensen for a second term
Chief Justice Susan Christensen has been selected by the members of the Iowa Supreme Court for a second term, the Judicial Branch announced Jan. 8.
At 10 a.m. Wednesday, Christensen will deliver the Condition of the Judiciary address to a joint session of the Iowa General Assembly in the Iowa House Chamber. Iowa Public T …
read moreIowa Supreme Court: Tort Claims Act governs excessive-force claims under the state Constitution
A plaintiff with a claim under the Iowa Constitution for damages against the State or its employee must follow the procedures prescribed by the Iowa Tort Claims Act, including the Act’s exclusion of punitive damages, the Iowa Supreme Court said in a ruling handed down Dec. 31.
The decision in read more
Justice Matthew McDermott traces his route to the Iowa Supreme Court in podcast interview
In a new “In the Balance” podcast, Justice Matthew McDermott, the newest member of the Iowa Supreme Court, talks about growing up in Carroll, Iowa, attending law school in Calif …
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Work of Iowa Supreme Court continues during summer break between terms
Since the Iowa Supreme Court ended its 2022-23 term June 30 with release of all remaining decisions, the justices have been spending the summer months on court administration matters that could affect the practice of law and operation of Iowa courts for years to come.
Among the items on the Court’s administrative term …
Iowa Supreme Court seeks public comment on proposed rules governing remote court proceedings
During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Iowa Supreme Court created temporary rules for conducting remote trial and appellate proceedings when in-person hearings and trials were not considered safe.
Although Covid concerns have receded, Iowa judges, lawyers, and court administrators have recognized the need to con …
Iowa Code section 20.32 does not extend broader bargaining rights to nontransit employees, Iowa Supreme Court rules
In an opinion filed February 24, 2023, the Iowa Supreme Court in City of Ames v. Iowa Public Employment Relations Board ruled Iowa Code section 20.32 does not extend broader bargaining rights to nontransit employees in a bargaining unit made up of 30 percent or more transit employees. Justice Waterman delivered the …
Iowa Supreme Court holds subpoenas served on a non-party should have been quashed for imposing an undue burden
In an opinion filed on February 10, 2023, the Iowa Supreme Court in In the Matter of the Subpoenas Issued to Dethmers Manufacturing Company held subpoenas relating to a Louisiana products liability suit but issued from an Iowa court to a nonparty in Iowa imposed an undue burden under the Iowa Civil Rules of Procedu …
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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.