Iowa Case Commentaries

Earned-Time Credits Suspension in Iowa: Upholding Fifth Amendment Rights

Date: Aug 24, 2011

Earned-Time Credits Suspension in Iowa: Upholding Fifth Amendment Rights Introduction In the case of State of Iowa v. Robert Harkins (801 N.W.2d 513), the Supreme Court of Iowa addressed a critical...

One Refusal is Determinative: Upholding the Implied Consent Statute in OWI Cases

Date: Aug 13, 2011

One Refusal is Determinative: Upholding the Implied Consent Statute in OWI Cases Introduction The case of Toby Joseph Welch v. Iowa Department of Transportation (801 N.W.2d 590) presents a critical...

Clarifying the Scope of 'Release of All Claims' in Personal Injury Settlements: Supreme Court of Iowa in Peak v. Adams

Date: Jul 2, 2011

Clarifying the Scope of 'Release of All Claims' in Personal Injury Settlements: Supreme Court of Iowa in Peak v. Adams Introduction The case of Mark Peak v. Ellis Adams and Rachel Adams, adjudicated...

Iowa Supreme Court Establishes Precedent on Psychological Incapacity in Sexual Abuse Cases

Date: Jun 25, 2011

Iowa Supreme Court Establishes Precedent on Psychological Incapacity in Sexual Abuse Cases Introduction In the landmark case of State of Iowa v. Randy Scott Meyers, 799 N.W.2d 132 (Iowa 2011), the...

Interpretation of 'Pursuer' in Felony Eluding Under Iowa Law: State v. Hearn

Date: May 14, 2011

Interpretation of 'Pursuer' in Felony Eluding Under Iowa Law: State v. Hearn Introduction State of Iowa v. Dalevonte Davelle Hearn is a pivotal case decided by the Supreme Court of Iowa on May 13,...

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel in DNA Evidence Challenges: Analysis of King v. State of Iowa

Date: Apr 30, 2011

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel in DNA Evidence Challenges: Analysis of King v. State of Iowa Introduction Daniel King v. State of Iowa (797 N.W.2d 565), adjudicated by the Supreme Court of Iowa on...

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel in Post-Guilty Plea Relief: Insights from Castro v. State

Date: Apr 2, 2011

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel in Post-Guilty Plea Relief: Insights from Castro v. State Introduction The case of Mark Angelo Castro v. State of Iowa, decided by the Supreme Court of Iowa on April...

Enforceability of Hell-or-High-Water Clauses in Secured Transactions: Insights from C J Vantage Leasing Co. v. Wolfe

Date: Mar 31, 2011

Enforceability of Hell-or-High-Water Clauses in Secured Transactions: Insights from C J Vantage Leasing Co. v. Wolfe Introduction The case of C J Vantage Leasing Co., Assignor to Frontier Leasing...

State v. Hennings: Affirming Causation Standards in Iowa Hate-Crime Legislation

Date: Dec 24, 2010

State v. Hennings: Affirming Causation Standards in Iowa Hate-Crime Legislation Introduction The case of State of Iowa v. Mark Thomas Hennings (791 N.W.2d 828) reached the Supreme Court of Iowa on...

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel: Corroboration Instruction and its Impact on Burglary and Theft Convictions – State v. Barnes

Date: Dec 24, 2010

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel: Corroboration Instruction and its Impact on Burglary and Theft Convictions – State v. Barnes Introduction In the landmark case of State of Iowa v. Wayne Samuel...

Supreme Court of Iowa Affirms Termination of Parental Rights Based on Parental Inability to Meet Child's Needs

Date: Dec 18, 2010

Supreme Court of Iowa Affirms Termination of Parental Rights Based on Parental Inability to Meet Child's Needs Introduction In the case titled In the Interest of D.W., Minor Child, A.M.W., Mother,...

Iowa Supreme Court Establishes Enhanced Protections Against Warrantless Parolee Searches in State v. Ochoa

Date: Dec 18, 2010

Iowa Supreme Court Establishes Enhanced Protections Against Warrantless Parolee Searches in State v. Ochoa Introduction The case of State of Iowa v. James Maximiliano Ochoa, decided on December 17,...

Broad Interpretation of Imprisonment in Parental Rights Termination: Insights from In the Interest of A.H.B., Minor Child

Date: Dec 11, 2010

Broad Interpretation of Imprisonment in Parental Rights Termination: Insights from In the Interest of A.H.B., Minor Child Introduction The Supreme Court of Iowa, in the landmark case In the Interest...

Iowa Supreme Court Clarifies Valuation Rules for Agricultural Property under Code 441.21(1)(d)

Date: Dec 4, 2010

Exclusion of Agricultural Property from Valuation Adjustments under Iowa Code 441.21(1)(d) Introduction In the landmark case of James Naumann v. Iowa Property Assessment Appeal Board, 791 N.W.2d 258...

Comprehensive Commentary on STATE of Iowa v. Robert Joseph VANCE

Date: Nov 20, 2010

Set-Off Claims and Enforcement of Judgments: Insights from STATE of Iowa v. Robert Joseph VANCE Introduction The case of STATE of Iowa, Appellee v. Robert Joseph VANCE, Appellant, decided by the...

Clarifying Jury Instructions on Punishment: Supreme Court of Iowa's Landmark Ruling in State of Iowa v. Hanes

Date: Nov 13, 2010

Clarifying Jury Instructions on Punishment: Supreme Court of Iowa's Landmark Ruling in State of Iowa v. Hanes Introduction State of Iowa v. Robert L. Hanes, 790 N.W.2d 545 (Iowa 2010), is a...

Preserving Ineffective Assistance Claims and Dangerous Weapon Definitions: Comprehensive Analysis of STATE of Iowa v. Ortiz

Date: Oct 16, 2010

Preserving Ineffective Assistance Claims and Dangerous Weapon Definitions: Comprehensive Analysis of STATE of Iowa v. Ortiz Introduction STATE of Iowa v. Ricardo Ortiz (789 N.W.2d 761, 2010) is a...

Redefining "Manufacturer": The Sherwin-Williams Company's Landmark Decision

Date: Oct 9, 2010

Redefining "Manufacturer": The Sherwin-Williams Company's Landmark Decision 1. Introduction The Supreme Court of Iowa delivered a pivotal judgment on October 8, 2010, in the case of The...

Clarifying Ineffective Assistance of Counsel in Jury Instruction Proceedings: Everett v. Iowa

Date: Oct 2, 2010

Clarifying Ineffective Assistance of Counsel in Jury Instruction Proceedings: Everett v. Iowa Introduction In Odell Everett, Jr. v. State of Iowa (789 N.W.2d 151, 2010), the Supreme Court of Iowa...

Establishing Territorial Jurisdiction through In-State Mens Rea: The Serrato Case

Date: Aug 26, 2010

Establishing Territorial Jurisdiction through In-State Mens Rea: The Serrato Case Introduction The State of Iowa v. Victor Serrato case, decided by the Supreme Court of Iowa on August 25, 2010,...