![](https://iowaappeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/logo.png)
Local civil rights ordinances not enforceable in state court, Iowa Supreme Court rules
Municipal ordinances created to protect residents’ civil rights are not enforceable in state court, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled June 30.
The Iowa Civil Rights Act authorizes the state Civil Rights Commission to issue “right to sue” letters to complainants, who are then able to file a civil suit in state district c …
read moreCity is liable for cyclist injured on bike trail, Iowa Supreme Court rules
Iowa Supreme Court adds cases to be heard in 2020-21 term
The Iowa Supreme Court is in the final month of its 2019-20 term before breaking for two months to focus on court administration and rules. Meanwhile, the Court has been adding cases to its 2020-21 term that begins in September with a full complement of seven justices.
Since May 1, the Court has granted further review to …
read moreIowa Supreme Court stands by its ‘continuing storm’ doctrine in slip-and-fall suits
Iowa Supreme Court denies further review in challenges to changes in judicial nominating process
Legal challenges to the Iowa Legislature’s 2019 changes in the nominating process for Iowa appellate judges have reached the end of the road. The Iowa Supreme Court on May 15 denied applications for further review of two Iowa Court of Appeals rulings dismissing the challenges by lawyers and state legislators.
Cedar Rap …
read moreA pro se trip through three Iowa courts winds up at a dead end
Drake University did not violate trustee’s rights by removing him from the board, federal appeals court rules
Iowa Supreme Court grants further review in four Court of Appeals decisions
The Iowa Supreme Court has granted further review of four rulings of the Iowa Court of Appeals. Following are brief summaries of those cases. Go to On Brief’s Cases in the Pipeline page to read the parties’ briefs and appellants’ applications for further rev …
read moreJury instruction on ‘stand your ground’ defense violated the Fifth Amendment, Iowa Supreme Court rules
Iowa law requires that criminal defendants who invoke a “stand your ground” defense must have informed law-enforcement authorities of the use of deadly force. That requirement, on its face, may or may not violate a defendant’s constitutional rights, but a defendant’s Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination …
read moreA dozen cases to be submitted to Iowa Supreme Court this week without oral argument
Twelve cases will be submitted to the Iowa Supreme Court this week without oral argument. The Supreme Court and Court of Appeals are not hearing oral arguments through July 13 under a supervisory order issued by Chief Justice Susan Christensen on April 2 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The appellate courts may, at …
read moreFEATURED POSTS
Iowa Supreme Court to hear arguments in three cases April 11, including on enforcement of Iowa’s fetal-heartbeat abortion law
The Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in three cases April 11. A fourth case will be submitted to the Court without oral argument. Following are summaries of the cases. [Go to On Brief’s “Cases in the Pipeline” page to read briefs filed in these cases.]
&nb …
Oral argument on the right to a jury will be heard by Iowa Supreme Court in session in Perry April 4
In July 2020 the Iowa Attorney General filed a civil suit alleging a now-defunct Omaha company violated Iowa’s Consumer Fraud Act in marketing stem-cell and exosome therapy treatments using false, misleading, and deceptive tactics.
When the case went to trial in Polk County District Court, the defendant, Travis Autor, …
Iowa Supreme Court sends case on “protectionist” legislation back to trial court with pointed language about legislative logrolling
The Iowa Constitution requires that bills enacted by the General Assembly contain a single subject in the title. Although legislators often use vaguely general titles on bills that contain many unrelated provisions, the Iowa Supreme Court has been reluctant to declare the practice unconstitutional: In the 166 years since th …
Iowa Supreme Court to hear arguments in two cases March 22
The Iowa Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases March 22. Two other cases will be submitted to the Court without oral argument. Following are summaries of those cases. Go to On Brief’s “Cases in the Pipeline” page to read the briefs filed in these cases.
&nbs …
APPELLATE CALENDAR
EDITORIAL TEAM
ABOUT
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.