Constitution Day 2022
The Iowa Judicial Branch joined with The Iowa State Bar Association to create a Iowa Constitution and US Constitution resources page for Iowa teachers and students. This page includes online podcasts that social studies students in classrooms across the state are encouraged to listen to before watching the Iowa Supreme Court oral arguments in this year's Constitution Day case.
This year's Constitution Day case is State of Iowa v. Deonte WB Ellison.
Students and Teachers Support Materials
Case summary, legal issues, and discussion topics for students to review before watching State of Iowa v. Deonte WB Ellison written by Iowa State Bar Association Center for Law & Civic Education Director John Wheeler.
State of Iowa v. Deonte WB Ellison oral argument video for the case with attorney briefs and the supreme court opinion (when filed).
What is an oral argument? An explanation of the appellate process and oral arguments before the Iowa Supreme Court
The Iowa Constitution and Our Courts Podcasts
In our podcast, In the Balance, the Iowa Judicial Branch has covered topics such as the basics of the court system in Iowa, how appellate court cases are chosen and decided, and the differences between the United States Constitution and Iowa's Constitution. Find links to listen to these episodes below.
The Iowa vs. Federal Constitutions with Justice Dana Oxley
Iowa Constitution Day with Justice Brent Appel
An Interview with Justice Edward Mansfield on How the Iowa Supreme Court Selects its Caseload
Iowa's Trial and Appellate Courts
Additional Resources
The United States Constitution
The Iowa Constitution
A scan of the original Iowa Constitution
The Constitution of Iowa adopted in convention March 3, 1857
Constitution Day recognizes the ratification of the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787. In 1911, the State of Iowa was the first state to celebrate Constitution Day. In 2004, legislation established the Federal observance of Constitution Day.