In State v. Cullum, the Iowa Court of Appeals, sitting en banc, reviewed a district court’s decisions to deny a motion to suppress, to deny a motion for a new trial, and to not suspend fines in an appeal
On Brief: Iowa's Appellate Blog
On Brief: Iowa's Appellate Blog, published by Nyemaster Goode, provides updates and analysis on appellate court decisions and legal issues in Iowa. The blog covers topics such as state constitutional law, municipal liability, landlord-tenant disputes, administrative law, and procedural questions in appellate litigation. It discusses cases involving government immunity, statutory interpretation, property rights, and consumer protection. The blog also highlights Iowa Supreme Court oral arguments and rulings, focusing on their implications for state law and public policy. It serves as a resource for legal professionals interested in Iowa appellate practice and significant judicial developments within the state.
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Iowa Court of Appeals July 2025 Published Opinion Roundup
By Rox Laird
The Iowa Court of Appeals selects certain opinions for publication in the Northwestern Reporter. In July, the Court of Appeals selected three opinions for publication. Following are summaries of those opinions.
In Re the Marriage of Zhenzhen Wang and…
February 2025 Opinion Roundup
By Emma Sillman
The Iowa Supreme Court entered opinions in ten cases in February 2025. At the links immediately below, you can read Rox Laird’s analysis of the following opinions:
Allen Diercks v. Scott County, et al., concerning the applicability of the…
Iowa Supreme Court determines second-offense enhancements made criminal sentence illegal for a defendant without a prior conviction under the relevant statute
In State v. Gale, the Iowa Supreme Court reviewed a woman’s second-offense sentences for marijuana and controlled-substance possession when it was actually the first time she had been convicted of these offenses. In this opinion written by Justice McDermott,…
January 2025 Opinion Roundup
By Emma Sillman
The Iowa Supreme Court entered opinions in eleven cases in January 2025. At the links immediately below, you can read Rox Laird’s analysis of the following opinions:
Lance Allen Degeneffe v. Home Pride Contractors, Inc. , concerning whether a contractor…
Denial of petition to modify child’s designated school in custody decree was proper, Iowa Supreme Court holds
In Vandewalker v. Landherr, the Iowa Supreme Court examined a mother’s petition to modify the portion of her child custody order designating where her child would go to school. In this decision authored by Justice Mansfield, the Court vacated…
Iowa Supreme Court dismisses efforts to declare firearms restrictions unconstitutional
By Rox Laird
The Iowa Supreme Court rejected two bids to strike down as unconstitutional Iowa statutes that remove criminal offenders’ right to possess firearms. The Court was split in both cases, with the justices lining up differently in each case.
In State…
Dismissal of former tennis coach’s claims of defamation and wrongful discharge in violation of public policy was proper, Iowa Supreme Court finds
In Villarini v. Iowa City Community School District, the Iowa Supreme Court examined the dismissal of claims of wrongful discharge in violation of public policy and defamation that were brought by a former high school tennis coach. The Iowa…
District court did not err in denying motions for directed verdict and for a new trial in obstetrician medical malpractice suit, Iowa Supreme Court determines
In Belhak v. Smith, a jury found in favor of a woman and her husband in their negligence suit against the woman’s obstetrician and the obstetrician’s employer. The Iowa Court of Appeals reversed, finding that one of the negligence…
State immunity bars wrongful imprisonment claim for money damages, Iowa Supreme Court holds
By Rox Laird
Eugene Sikora sued the State of Iowa and the Iowa Corrections Director seeking money damages claiming he was wrongly imprisoned for about five months longer than the law allowed due to a miscalculation by the Department of Corrections. The Iowa…