Iowa Case Commentaries

State of Iowa v. Jake Skahill: Tightening the Residual Hearsay Exception for Child Forensic Interviews

Date: Oct 23, 2021

State of Iowa v. Jake Skahill: Tightening the Residual Hearsay Exception for Child Forensic Interviews Introduction The Supreme Court of Iowa, in the case of State of Iowa v. Jake Skahill, addressed...

Parole Conditions as Collateral Consequences: Implications from KENNETH DOSS v. STATE OF IOWA

Date: Jun 26, 2021

Parole Conditions as Collateral Consequences: Implications from KENNETH DOSS v. STATE OF IOWA Introduction KENNETH DOSS v. STATE OF IOWA, 961 N.W.2d 701 (Iowa 2021), is a significant case addressing...

Iowa Supreme Court Reinforces Constitutional Protections Against Warrantless Search of Citizen's Garbage

Date: Jun 19, 2021

Iowa Supreme Court Reinforces Constitutional Protections Against Warrantless Search of Citizen's Garbage Introduction In the landmark case of State of Iowa v. Nicholas Dean Wright, 961 N.W.2d 396...

Knowledge Requirement in Tortious Interference with Inheritance Affirmed in Buboltz v. Birusingh

Date: Jun 12, 2021

Knowledge Requirement in Tortious Interference with Inheritance Affirmed in Buboltz v. Birusingh Introduction In the landmark case of David Buboltz and Donna Reece v. Patricia Birusingh, Estate of...

Iowa Supreme Court Upholds Restrictions on Appeals Following Guilty Pleas

Date: May 29, 2021

Iowa Supreme Court Upholds Restrictions on Appeals Following Guilty Pleas Introduction In the landmark case of State of Iowa v. David J. Treptow (960 N.W.2d 98), decided on May 28, 2021, the Iowa...

State of Iowa v. Tucker: Upholding Legislative Restrictions on Appeals Post-Guilty Plea

Date: May 8, 2021

State of Iowa v. Tucker: Upholding Legislative Restrictions on Appeals Post-Guilty Plea Introduction State of Iowa v. Tyjaun Levell Tucker is a pivotal case decided by the Iowa Supreme Court on May...

Improper Consideration of Speculative Factors in Sentencing: State of Iowa v. William Frank Fetner

Date: May 8, 2021

Improper Consideration of Speculative Factors in Sentencing: State of Iowa v. William Frank Fetner Introduction State of Iowa v. William Frank Fetner, 959 N.W.2d 129 (Iowa 2021), is a pivotal...

Supreme Court of Iowa Affirms Admissibility of Prior Acts Evidence and Clarifies Merger Doctrine in Goodson Case

Date: May 1, 2021

Supreme Court of Iowa Affirms Admissibility of Prior Acts Evidence and Clarifies Merger Doctrine in Goodson Case Introduction The Supreme Court of Iowa, in the case of State of Iowa v. Mario Goodson,...

Iowa Supreme Court Sets New Standards for Hearsay Admissibility and Restitution Procedures in Child Endangerment Cases

Date: Apr 24, 2021

Iowa Supreme Court Sets New Standards for Hearsay Admissibility and Restitution Procedures in Child Endangerment Cases Introduction The case of State of Iowa v. Shanna Dessinger (958 N.W.2d 590)...

Broad Interpretation of 'Object' Affirmed in State v. Zacarias: Implications for Assault by Penetration Cases

Date: Apr 24, 2021

Broad Interpretation of 'Object' Affirmed in State v. Zacarias: Implications for Assault by Penetration Cases Introduction In the landmark case State of Iowa v. Zachary Tyler Zacarias (958 N.W.2d...

Supreme Court of Iowa Upholds Restriction on Pro Se Filings by Represented Postconviction-Relief Applicants

Date: Apr 17, 2021

Supreme Court of Iowa Upholds Restriction on Pro Se Filings by Represented Postconviction-Relief Applicants Introduction The case of John Lee Hrbek v. State of Iowa, 958 N.W.2d 779 (Iowa 2021),...

Fortune v. State of Iowa: Discretion in Modifying Sex Offender Registry Requirements

Date: Apr 10, 2021

Fortune v. State of Iowa: Discretion in Modifying Sex Offender Registry Requirements Introduction Case: Ron Fortune, Appellant vs. State of Iowa, Appellee Court: Supreme Court of Iowa Decision Date:...

Recognition of Delayed Appeals in Termination-of-Parental-Rights Cases: In the Interest of A.B., A.C., and A.C.

Date: Apr 3, 2021

Recognition of Delayed Appeals in Termination-of-Parental-Rights Cases: In the Interest of A.B., A.C., and A.C. Introduction The Supreme Court of Iowa addressed a pivotal issue in family law by...

Supreme Court of Iowa Sets New Precedent on Terminating Parental Rights Amid Chronic Substance Abuse and Repeated Relapse

Date: Apr 3, 2021

Supreme Court of Iowa Sets New Precedent on Terminating Parental Rights Amid Chronic Substance Abuse and Repeated Relapse Introduction The case titled In the Interest of W.M. and W.D. (957 N.W.2d...

Affirmation of Rape Shield Rule and Sufficiency of Victim Testimony in Iowa Sexual Abuse Conviction

Date: Mar 27, 2021

Affirmation of Rape Shield Rule and Sufficiency of Victim Testimony in Iowa Sexual Abuse Conviction Introduction In the landmark case State of Iowa v. John Charles Donahue (957 N.W.2d 1), the Supreme...

Affirmation of Parental Rights Termination During COVID-19: Insights from INTEREST OF A.B. and I.B.

Date: Mar 13, 2021

Affirmation of Parental Rights Termination During COVID-19: Insights from INTEREST OF A.B. and I.B. Introduction The case of INTEREST OF A.B. and I.B., Minor Children, Y.B., Mother, Appellant (956...

Parking Violations Constitute Probable Cause for Lawful Traffic Stops under the Fourth Amendment

Date: Mar 6, 2021

Parking Violations Constitute Probable Cause for Lawful Traffic Stops under the Fourth Amendment Introduction The case State of Iowa v. Jasmaine R. Warren (955 N.W.2d 848, 2021) presents significant...

Supreme Court of Iowa Reinforces Safeguards in Child-in-Need-of-Assistance Proceedings

Date: Feb 20, 2021

Supreme Court of Iowa Reinforces Safeguards in Child-in-Need-of-Assistance Proceedings Introduction In the landmark case IN THE INTEREST OF D.D., Minor Child. E.D., Father, Appellant. (955 N.W.2d...

Iowa Supreme Court Upholds Legislative Authority Over Pro Se Supplemental Briefs: State v. Thompson

Date: Feb 6, 2021

Iowa Supreme Court Upholds Legislative Authority Over Pro Se Supplemental Briefs: State v. Thompson Introduction In the landmark case of State of Iowa v. Howard J. Thompson (954 N.W.2d 402, 2021),...

Iowa Supreme Court Affirms 2019 Omnibus Crime Bill's Impact on Direct Appeals Following Guilty Pleas

Date: Jan 30, 2021

Iowa Supreme Court Affirms 2019 Omnibus Crime Bill's Impact on Direct Appeals Following Guilty Pleas Introduction The case of State of Iowa v. Da'Quon Boldon (954 N.W.2d 62) presents a significant...