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Media Advisory
April 2, 2009
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Contact:
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Steve Davis, Court Communications Officer, (515)
725-8058
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Media Advisory
Des Moines, April 2, 2009— The Iowa Supreme Court opinion in Varnum v.
Brien is expected to be posted on the Iowa Judicial Branch website by 8:30 a.m.
Friday, April 3.
All Judicial Branch Building
policies will be enforced:
Use of Facilities and Grounds
General Policies
The purpose of the judicial
branch building is to facilitate the fair and effective administration of
justice. The building is open to the public during regular business hours for
the purpose of conducting court business and other activities compatible with
the orderly administration, dignity, and security of the courts.
The judicial branch
building, the grounds adjacent to the building, including the plaza, and
parking lots nearby are not public forums for private use. The judicial branch
reserves the right to restrict private activities in the building and on its
adjoining grounds to ensure the administration of justice at all stages is free
from disruption, interference, and undue influence, and to ensure the safety
and security of persons inside the building. Use of the building and its
adjoining grounds are subject to the following restrictions and exceptions.
Access to the building and
adjacent parking lots and the building vestibule, rotunda, adjacent corridors,
and public lobbies, shall remain open and unobstructed at all times so people
may conduct court business without interference.
Activities such as
demonstrations, rallies, news conferences and other public gatherings shall be
confined to the lower terrace on the north end of the building plaza and the
public sidewalk adjacent to Court Avenue.
Pursuant to state law
smoking is prohibited inside the building and on the grounds. In addition, it
is the policy of the judicial branch that all tobacco products are prohibited
in the building and on the grounds.
These rules are to ensure
that the administration of justice at all stages is free from disruption,
interference, and undue influence, and to ensure the safety and security of
persons inside the building.
Statements by Judges and Court Staff
Ethic rules limit what
judges and staff may say about cases and issues.
Iowa Supreme Court justices,
Iowa Court of Appeals judges, and their staff do not explain appellate opinions
or speculate about the impact of an opinion on the law. This is to preserve the
authority of the court's written opinion as law and to avoid interpretations or
statements that might conflict with or confuse the precise legal meaning of the
court's opinion.
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2009
Iowa
Supreme Court
1111 East
Court Avenue
Des Moines,
IA 50319
515-281-3952
