News Release

August 31, 2012

 

Contact: 

Steve Davis, Iowa Judicial Branch, 515-725-8058, steve.davis@iowacourts.gov

Tom Snee, 319-384-0010, University News Services

 

Iowa Supreme Court Holds Special Session at University of Iowa Law School

 

Des Moines, August 31, 2012 —The Iowa Supreme Court will travel to the University of Iowa College of Law for oral arguments Friday, September 7, starting at 9:00 a.m. The oral arguments are part of Supreme Court Day, the College of Law's oldest celebration. This year, for the first time, students will hear oral arguments presented to the supreme court. The event is designed to help law students become more familiar with appellate court procedure and arguments. Students will have the opportunity to see how attorneys represent their clients before the supreme court in Levitt Auditorium in the Boyd Law Building, Melrose Avenue and Byington Road. Seating for the public is limited.

 

The supreme court will hear two cases:

 

10-1503, Gail Bierman and Beth Weier v. Scott Weier and Author Solutions, Inc.

The defendants, an author and a self-publishing company engaged in the limited circulation of books, appeal from the district court's ruling that granted the plaintiffs partial summary judgment on their claims. The district court ruled the defendants' limited publication of a book constituted libel per se and permitted that claim and claims for invasion of privacy and for intentional infliction of emotional distress to go to trial on the remaining issues of material fact.

 

11-0472, State of Iowa v. Valentin Velez

The defendant challenged whether there was a factual basis to support his plea to two counts of willful injury causing serious injury. Iowa Code § 708.4(1). The court of appeals vacated his sentence on one count and remanded the case to give the state an opportunity to establish a factual basis for an assault that was separate and distinct from the other count. The state sought further review. 

 

Note to Editors: News media are invited to attend the oral arguments. Court rules regarding expanded media coverage apply. You can find information on expanded media coverage on the Judicial Branch Website at http://www.iowacourts.gov/News_Service/Expanded_Media_Coverage/

 

The Iowa Court Rules regarding expanded media coverage on the Iowa Legislature website at http://www.legis.state.ia.us/DOCS/ACO/CR/LINC/08-15-2012.chapter.25.pdf

 

 

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2012

Iowa Supreme Court

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Des Moines, IA 50319

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