Two years ago the Iowa Supreme Court overruled a quarter-century-old precedent that established an exclusive test for determining whether a criminal jury reflects a fair cross section of the community. In its decision in Thongvanh v. State handed down Jan. 24, the...
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Changes in members create new alliances on the Iowa Supreme Court
A new majority emerged during the Iowa Supreme Court’s 2018-19 term that ended in June with the retirement of two justices and the appointment of their replacements, according to an On Brief review of the 108 decisions issued by the court during the 10-month term....
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals: Mother can be criminally prosecuted for baby’s death from toxic drugs she consumed while pregnant
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reinstated manslaughter charges against a South Dakota woman who gave birth to a live baby that died within hours of toxicity from a combination of legal and illegal drugs the mother ingested...
Iowan seeks to limit a Fourth Amendment exception in appeal to U.S. Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday will consider whether it will hear an appeal from an Iowa man who argues his drunk-driving conviction was the product of an unconstitutional search and seizure. The appeal focuses on the reach of what’s known as a “community...
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from an Iowa surrogate mother seeking custody of the child
The U.S. Supreme Court denied an appeal of an Iowa Supreme Court ruling on the enforceability of a contract signed by a woman who acted as a surrogate mother for an Iowa couple unable to conceive a child of their own. The Iowa Supreme Court ruled on Feb. 16 that the...
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Iowa Supreme Court sends case on “protectionist” legislation back to trial court with pointed language about legislative logrolling
Iowa Supreme Court to hear arguments in two cases March 22
In a Wapello County case, Iowa Supreme Court parses settlement agreement language on ‘derelict’ vehicles
Iowa Supreme Court to hear arguments in 11 cases Feb. 21 and 22
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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.